OTHER ANXIETY DISORDERS Panic disorder is actually an intense anxiety attack. The affected individual feels much apprehension, fearfulness, and impending doom. Associated symptoms include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, a smothering sensation, dizziness, numbness, hot flashes, cold hands, sweating, faintness, and trembling. Feelings of unreality and fears of dying, of going crazy, or of doing something uncontrolled are common. Panic disorder often begins in late adolescence