Question 1

Is the PDSS self-test a diagnosis of panic disorder?

Accepted Answer

No. The PDSS is a screening tool for panic-disorder severity, not a medical diagnosis. An accurate assessment requires a licensed mental-health professional.

Question 2

How is the PDSS score interpreted?

Accepted Answer

The seven items sum to 0-28. This tool bands it as minimal (0-8), moderate (9-13), severe (14-18), and extreme (19-28). A total around 8 is a commonly proposed threshold, so 9 or above warrants a professional evaluation.

Question 3

What should I do during a panic attack right now?

Accepted Answer

Sit somewhere safe and repeat 4-7-8 breathing (inhale 4s, hold 7s, exhale 8s). Attacks usually peak and subside within minutes. If severe or if you have thoughts of self-harm, contact a crisis line or emergency services immediately.

Question 4

Are my answers stored?

Accepted Answer

Answers are never sent to a server; they stay in your browser (localStorage) and in the optional share link (?s= token). No accounts or medical records are stored.

Question 5

What scale is the PDSS?

Accepted Answer

The PDSS (Shear et al., 1997) rates seven domains — panic frequency, distress, anticipatory anxiety, agoraphobic avoidance, interoceptive avoidance, work impairment, and social impairment — each 0-4. This tool uses the self-report version over the past week.

Total	Severity	Interpretation
0–8	Minimal	Panic-related symptoms are minimal, below the typical panic-disorder threshold (around 8).
9–13	Moderate	Moderate range, above the referral cut-off (9). A professional evaluation is recommended.
14–18	Severe	Severe range. Panic may be substantially affecting daily functioning; seek a professional evaluation.
19–28	Extreme	Extreme range. Seeking a professional evaluation as soon as possible is strongly recommended.

Panic Disorder Self-Test (PDSS)

Severity band interpretation

The 7 PDSS domains