The Panic Disorder Yoon Jong-shin Experienced: A Suffocating Fear [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Singer Yoon Jong-shin revealed that he experienced symptoms of panic disorder after burnout. He said he was so exhausted after a broadcast that he could barely remember what had been said, and that he once suddenly felt unable to breathe inside a short tunnel. Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by repeated episodes of sudden fear and physical symptoms, and it is often mistaken for a heart or respiratory condition, making an accurate diagnosis essential.

Yoon said on KBS2's "Problem Child in House," which aired on the 3rd, that he suffered burnout after years of broadcasting work. He explained that even after filming ended, he could not remember the program clearly, and that watching it again at home was difficult because his memory of the time was so hazy despite having performed normally.
He also described the moment he first experienced panic disorder symptoms. While resting in a short tunnel, he suddenly felt as if he could not breathe, and later learned that it was a symptom of panic disorder.
Panic disorder is a condition in which a person suddenly feels intense fear and anxiety even in situations that are not actually dangerous. The core symptom is a panic attack. During an attack, the heart may race, breathing may become difficult, and the chest may feel tight. Cold sweats, tingling in the hands and feet, trembling, dizziness, and nausea can also occur.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)'s National Health Information Portal explains that panic attacks begin suddenly and usually peak within 10 minutes. Although symptoms often subside over time, patients may feel overwhelming fear that they are going to die or lose control in the moment.
The problem is that the effects can linger even after the attack ends. After experiencing one panic attack, people may develop anticipatory anxiety, worrying that it could happen again. They may also begin avoiding places they feel are hard to escape from, such as tunnels, subways, elevators, airplanes, and concert halls.

However, having a panic attack does not always mean a person has panic disorder. But if unexpected attacks recur and are followed by fear of another episode or avoidance behavior, panic disorder may be suspected. If symptoms worsen, they can affect work, public transportation use, and social life.

The number of people receiving treatment for panic disorder is rising. According to reports citing HIRA data, 247,061 patients visited hospitals for panic disorder in 2023. That was a 70.5% increase from 144,943 in 2017, or about 1.7 times higher over six years.
The actual number of patients may be higher than the statistics suggest. Because panic attacks are marked by palpitations and shortness of breath, people often first suspect a heart or lung problem. Some also delay visiting a hospital because they feel burdened by psychiatric treatment.
The cause is difficult to explain with a single factor. Changes in the brain's anxiety-regulation circuits and neurotransmitters, genetic factors, stress, lack of sleep, overwork, and past experiences can all play a role. Excessive caffeine intake and drinking alcohol can also worsen symptoms.

Panic disorder is treatable. The National Mental Health Information Portal says treatment often combines medication and psychotherapy. Medications mainly include antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, while anti-anxiety drugs may be used for a short period if needed.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is also widely used. It helps correct the habit of immediately interpreting physical sensations during a panic attack as danger signals, and it supports gradual adjustment to avoided places or situations. The process includes changing the thought pattern that links the feeling of "my heart is racing" to "I am about to collapse."
If treatment is delayed, avoidance behavior can increase. Someone who has symptoms in a tunnel may start avoiding tunnels, and someone who feels anxious on the subway may begin avoiding public transportation. As daily life becomes more restricted, it can lead to depression and difficulties in relationships.

Panic attacks rarely pose an immediate threat to life, but for someone experiencing one for the first time, the fear can be overwhelming. In particular, if chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness appears suddenly, it is important to distinguish it from heart disease or another physical illness. If the symptoms are new or different from usual, a medical evaluation is needed to identify the cause.
In daily life, it helps not to cut back on sleep and to avoid excessive caffeine and energy drinks. Heavy drinking can worsen both anxiety and sleep, so it is best avoided. Regular aerobic exercise and breathing control training can also help stabilize the autonomic nervous system.
As Yoon Jong-shin's case shows, panic disorder can suddenly affect even people who have worked hard for years and kept going. If feelings of suffocation, severe palpitations, and fear of dying keep recurring, it is safer to seek medical care rather than trying to endure it through willpower alone.


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter