Panic disorder has emerged as one of the fastest-growing mental health conditions in South Korea, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020-2021. Data from the National Health Insurance Service indicates that the number of patients treated for panic disorder increased significantly from 138,736 in 2017 to 200,540 by 2021—a staggering 44.5% rise. This sharp uptick during the pandemic saw patient numbers surpassing 200,000 for the first time, reflecting a broader mental health crisis exacerbated by global health fears.

The primary symptom of panic disorder is panic attacks, which occur when an individual's brain triggers a 'survival mode' response in non-threatening situations, causing heightened anxiety, rapid heart rate, and overwhelming fear of dying. While these attacks tend to peak within ten minutes and are not life-threatening, the aftermath often leads to 'anticipatory anxiety'— a pervasive fear of experiencing future attacks that can severely restrict a patient's everyday life. Patients often avoid certain places or situations where they feel vulnerable, resulting in a shrinkage of their active living space and overall lifestyle.

Fortunately, panic disorder is treatable, with effective therapies aimed at calming the brain's overactive alarm systems. Medication, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), helps balance neurotransmitters, thus lowering the frequency and severity of attacks. Cognitive-behavioral therapy complements this by retraining the brain to perceive rapid heartbeats not as a 'signal of death' but as an 'overly activated alarm', offering a more comprehensive approach to managing this distressing condition.