Author: Director Lee Moon-young (Chief Director, Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic)
This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Service Act.
If your heart suddenly sinks, you feel suffocated, and an intense fear of "What if I die from this?" overwhelms you — that experience is never malingering. Panic disorder is a condition that exists both physically and psychologically, and proper understanding and approach become the starting point for recovery.
Panic Disorder — Sudden Intense Fear, a Real Condition, Not Malingering
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by repeated unexpected panic attacks, and after an attack, persistent anticipatory anxiety lasting one month or longer asking "Will another attack come?" and changes in daily behavior.
According to Seoul National University Hospital Medical Information and Hanyang University Counseling Center, under DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, a panic attack is when sudden intense fear or discomfort reaches its peak within minutes, accompanied by 4 or more of 13 physical and psychological symptoms. According to domestic clinical data, the number of panic disorder patients seeking medical consultation increased from approximately 146,000 in 2017 to approximately 221,000 in 2021, an increase of about 56%, showing this is not a rare condition.
However, not everyone who experiences a panic attack once is diagnosed with panic disorder. Diagnosis is possible when anticipatory anxiety and avoidance behavior, and other functional impairments in daily life, persist for one month or longer. It's good to remember that changes in life following the attack itself are as important as the intensity of the attack itself in the diagnostic criteria.
▪ Mini Q&A
Q. If I had one panic attack, do I have panic disorder?
Panic disorder is not diagnosed based on a single attack alone. Diagnosis applies when attacks are repeated and anticipatory anxiety or behavioral changes persist for one month or longer afterward. It is best to confirm accurate judgment through professional diagnosis.
Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnostic Criteria of Panic Disorder — Including Korean Medicine Perspective
Understanding the causes and symptoms of panic disorder from physical, psychological, and Korean medicine perspectives helps determine which treatment approach is right for you.
▪ 13 Symptoms List Based on DSM-5 Criteria
Based on materials from Seoul National University Hospital and Hanyang University Counseling Center, the following are listed:
▪ Palpitations or increased heart rate
▪ Sweating (cold sweats)
▪ Trembling or shaking of hands and feet
▪ Shortness of breath or sensation of choking
▪ Chest pain or chest discomfort
▪ Nausea or abdominal discomfort
▪ Dizziness, instability, lightheadedness, or feeling faint
▪ Chills or hot flushes
▪ Paresthesia (tingling, numbness)
▪ Derealization or depersonalization (feeling unfamiliar to oneself)
▪ Loss of control or fear of going crazy
▪ Fear of dying
▪ Vertigo or feeling of fainting
When 4 or more of these appear suddenly within minutes, it is considered a panic attack.
▪ Causes: A Multi-layered Approach Is Needed
According to the classification by Healtip, the causes of panic disorder are not singular; rather, complex causes work together including psychological and social factors, neurological abnormalities (neurotransmitter imbalances in serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA systems), and brain structural changes.
From a Korean medicine perspective, referring to clinical papers introduced in Korean Medicine Daily, phlegm and retained fluid (痰飮: a state where pathological fluid accumulates in the body) and blood deficiency (血虛: insufficient quantity or functional deficiency of blood) are classified as major pathogenic factors that disturb heart function and trigger panic-like symptoms. In the theory based on the classical Korean medicine text 『Elementary Questions (素問)』 introduced in coverage by Gyeongyang News, abnormality in heart function is also explained as leading to sudden fear and startled responses.
Since causes are multi-layered, treatment approaches may vary depending on symptom patterns and constitution. It is important to carefully identify not just the symptom of "anxiety" but what pattern it presents.
Korean Medicine Treatment for Panic Disorder — Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic's Approach
Korean medicine aims to comprehensively address both physical symptoms and psychological anxiety of panic disorder by utilizing acupuncture, herbal medicine (pattern differentiation-based prescription), moxibustion, and Korean medicine psychotherapy in combination.
According to research in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine listed on PubMed Central (2020), the percentage of Korean medicine practitioners using acupuncture for treating anxiety disorders is approximately 95-98%, and those using herbal medicine is approximately 85-91%. Additionally, a 2024 meta-analysis synthesizing 151 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported on PubMed Central that the combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture showed superior trends in overall anxiety reduction compared to Western medicine monotherapy.
Regarding the mechanism of action of acupuncture, an animal model study reported by Herald Economy (2026) confirmed that acupuncture may reduce anxiety and depressive behaviors through P2X7 receptor modulation and involvement in suppression of brain neuroinflammation. Cases of clinical application of combined acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and Korean medicine psychotherapy for panic disorder are also being reported in the Journal of Korean Medical Association for Neuropsychiatry (2025).
Regarding pattern differentiation-based prescriptions, according to Korean Medicine Daily, various prescriptions are utilized depending on patient pattern differentiation, including Modified Warm Gallbladder Decoction (加味溫膽湯), Clear Heart and Supplement Blood Decoction (淸心補血湯), Bupleurum Plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction (柴胡加龍骨牡蠣湯), and others.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic bases its approach on constitution diagnosis according to 8-constitution medicine, prescribes customized herbal medicine tailored to each individual panic disorder patient's condition on a weekly basis, confirms progress weekly, and reflects this in prescriptions. Additionally, you can receive treatment comfortably in a private individual treatment space. Qingxin Yuan (a formula for tension relief) is always available, enabling careful response for those requiring immediate stabilization following an attack.
Limitations and Scope of Application — Self-Evaluation and Information for Nearby Areas
Korean medicine treatment is an approach aimed at reducing medication dependence and recovering autonomic nervous system balance, but it is not equally applicable to all cases of panic disorder. Please first check your own situation through the following.
▪ Cases Where Korean Medicine Treatment May Be Helpful
▪ When panic attack frequency is low or you want to prioritize autonomic nervous system recovery in the early stages
▪ When you feel burdened by taking psychiatric medication or are considering combined treatment with the goal of future reduction
▪ When there are symptoms accompanying panic disorder such as tinnitus, dizziness, or hwa-byung (fire disease/anger-related illness)
▪ When agoraphobia is concurrent and the daily activity range is limited (comprehensive Korean medicine diagnosis may be helpful)
▪ When you wish to pursue psychological stability along with lifestyle habit improvement tailored to your constitution
▪ Cases Where Western Medicine Combination May Be Recommended
According to Seoul National University Hospital, in moderate to severe panic disorder, combination of SSRI-class medication and cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended as first-line treatment. Hanyang University Counseling Center indicates that cognitive behavioral therapy consists of diaphragmatic breathing training, cognitive restructuring, and gradual exposure therapy, and can be used in a mutually complementary way with Korean medicine treatment.
Research in Evidence-Based CAM (PMC, 2020) reports that one major reason patients choose Korean medicine treatment is the hope to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medication; however, this must be conducted gradually under professional consultation. Arbitrarily discontinuing existing medication is not recommended.
▪ Information for Nearby Areas
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic, located near Suyu Station, is easily accessible for those visiting from nearby areas such as Suyu Station Panic Disorder, Gangbuk-gu Anxiety Disorder Korean Medicine Clinic, and Dobong-gu Panic Attack Korean Medicine. It is within walking distance from Exit 3 of Suyu Station, and if using a car, you can freely use the nearby Garden Tower (Dobong-ro 328) large parking lot.
Receive Consultation at Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic provides consultations starting at 8 AM every day, 365 days a year, and you can conveniently visit through Naver Reservation. The direction suited to your condition can be confirmed through consultation.
If panic attacks are recurring or your daily life is becoming narrower due to anxiety after attacks asking "What if it happens again," it may be helpful to start an approach suited to your constitution and condition rather than leaving symptoms as they are. Korean medicine treatment aims at both alleviating physical symptoms and recovering autonomic nervous system function, and since prescriptions are adjusted on a weekly basis, careful response is possible according to progress.
It is also possible to visit early in the morning before weekday work, and the same 8 AM consultation time applies on weekends and holidays. Please check your desired time through Naver Reservation and visit at your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I distinguish between panic disorder and simple anxiety?
Simple anxiety often occurs in response to specific situations or causes. In contrast, panic disorder is characterized by sudden, intense physical symptoms and fear reaching peak intensity within minutes without clear reason, and anticipatory anxiety or avoidance behavior persisting for one month or longer after the attack. Accurate distinction is best confirmed through professional diagnosis.
Q2. How long does Korean medicine treatment for panic disorder take?
The treatment duration may vary depending on symptom severity, attack frequency, and individual constitution. Generally, it is aimed at gradual goals of autonomic nervous system stabilization and reduction of anticipatory anxiety rather than complete resolution in a short period. Since Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic uses weekly prescriptions to check progress each week, treatment can be flexibly adjusted according to progress without unnecessary long-term prescriptions.
Q3. Does acupuncture treatment actually work for panic disorder?
According to related clinical data, acupuncture treatment is reported to be involved in autonomic nervous system regulation and suppression of brain neuroinflammation, and the percentage of Korean medicine practitioners utilizing acupuncture for anxiety disorders is surveyed at over 95%. However, individual responses may vary, and when used in combination with herbal medicine, a broader approach is possible.
Q4. Can I take psychiatric medication together while undergoing Korean medicine treatment?
Korean medicine treatment and Western medicine medication can often be used together. However, caution may be needed depending on the type and dosage of medication being taken, so please inform us of any medications you are currently taking upon your visit. Do not arbitrarily discontinue existing medication, and if reduction is necessary, consult with your doctor and proceed gradually for safety.
Q5. How should I manage panic disorder to prevent recurrence?
Maintaining sleep rhythm, refraining from caffeine and alcohol, diaphragmatic breathing training when hyperventilating, and avoiding excessive stimulation are important for lifestyle management. From a Korean medicine perspective, constitution-appropriate dietary habit adjustments and continuous management for autonomic nervous system stabilization may help prevent recurrence. Periodic check-ups are recommended even after symptoms stabilize.
This content has been prepared in compliance with Article 56 of the Medical Service Act and Article 23 of its Enforcement Decree, and results may vary depending on individual circumstances.