Glossary

catastrophic interpretation

A term used to describe how a person with panic disorder misinterprets (misunderstands) body sensations as meaning something terrible.

hyperventilation

Otherwise known as ‘over breathing’, this occues when a person breathes faster/more deeply than usual leading to a lack of carbon dioxide in the body and a range of symptoms including often feeling light-headed.

panic

A sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety.

panic attacks

A diagnostic term for a type of panic experience that consists of a combination of physical, cognitive and emotional ‘symptoms’.

panic disorder

A psychological diagnosis used to label the experience of people who experience frequent panic attacks.