Panic Symptom Checker Calculator

Panic symptom checker form

Large screens show three columns, smaller screens show two, and mobile shows one. Submit to display the result above this form.

Example data table

Example values are illustrative only and should not be used as diagnosis or emergency guidance.

Formula used

This calculator creates a weighted symptom severity score and a separate pattern match score. Both scores are designed for tracking patterns, not diagnosis.

• Severity Score (0-100): A normalized score based on weighted inputs and symptom counts.
• Pattern Match (0-100): A pattern alignment estimate using sudden onset, symptom count, duration, intensity, recovery time, and episode frequency.

Severity score structure

Raw Score = Σ(weighted inputs) + penalties + trigger boost + coping adjustment

Severity Score = (Raw Score / 140) × 100

Weighted inputs include frequency, peak intensity, average intensity, duration, recovery time, physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms, stress, breathing difficulty, avoidance, and functional impact.

Key weighting examples

• Physical symptom load contributes up to 20 points.
• Cognitive symptom load contributes up to 12 points.
• Avoidance and functional impact contribute up to 10 points each.
• Low sleep and high caffeine add penalties.
• Frequent coping skill use reduces the raw score.

Clinical Screening Context

The calculator converts self-reported panic episode details into a structured monitoring view. It combines symptom count, episode frequency, intensity, duration, recovery time, and daily impact scores. This helps users prepare more organized information before appointments. In practice, clinicians often look for patterns across several episodes rather than one event. A repeatable format improves comparisons across days and can highlight whether symptoms are stabilizing, escalating, or shifting after lifestyle changes.

Severity Score Interpretation

The severity score ranges from zero to one hundred after normalization. Higher values reflect greater combined burden, not a diagnosis. Strong contributors include peak intensity, physical symptom load, cognitive symptom load, avoidance behavior, and functional impact. A user with frequent episodes and strong avoidance may score higher even when duration is shorter. This is useful because impairment and avoidance often influence treatment urgency, work function, and confidence in daily routines.

Pattern and Trigger Review

The pattern match score estimates how closely the symptom profile resembles a panic-type episode pattern. It emphasizes sudden onset, symptom clustering, intensity, and typical episode duration. Trigger fields support interpretation by separating stress, social situations, travel, sleep loss, caffeine, and no clear trigger. When users track the same fields weekly, clinicians can compare whether sleep debt or high caffeine days consistently coincide with faster onset and slower recovery.

Risk Flags and Escalation Guidance

The red-flag checklist is included because panic symptoms can overlap with medical emergencies. New chest pain, fainting, or one-sided weakness should not be interpreted as anxiety without urgent assessment. The tool therefore elevates urgency messaging when these selections are checked. This design supports safer self-monitoring: users still receive symptom tracking output, but the page clearly directs them toward prompt medical evaluation when potentially dangerous features are present.

Practical Use in Follow-Up Tracking

For follow-up use, the most valuable trend markers are weekly episode count, average intensity, recovery time, sleep hours, caffeine intake, and coping skill frequency. Exporting CSV or PDF after each review creates a simple log for therapy or primary care visits. Over several weeks, users can observe whether coping practice reduces intensity, whether better sleep lowers frequency, and whether avoidance scores improve with gradual exposure planning.

FAQs

1) Does this checker diagnose panic disorder?

No. It is a symptom-tracking and screening support tool. It organizes episode details and severity trends, but diagnosis requires a qualified clinician who reviews history, medical causes, and functional impact.

2) What score level should prompt professional review?

Any rising trend, high functional impact, or strong avoidance should prompt review. A high or very high score adds urgency, especially when episodes are frequent, intense, or disruptive.

3) Why are red-flag symptoms handled separately?

Panic symptoms can mimic urgent medical conditions. Red flags such as fainting, new chest pain, or one-sided weakness require prompt medical assessment instead of relying on self-scoring alone.

4) How often should I use the calculator?

Weekly tracking works well for most users. Use it after notable episodes or at the same time each week so changes in intensity, frequency, triggers, and recovery are easier to compare.

5) Do sleep and caffeine really affect results?

They can. Poor sleep and high caffeine may increase body sensations, arousal, and symptom sensitivity. The calculator includes both factors to help users notice repeatable trigger patterns.

6) Can I share exported files with my clinician?

Yes. CSV and PDF exports provide a compact summary of inputs, scores, and recommendations. Many clinicians find trend summaries helpful when planning therapy goals or follow-up discussions.