40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, per the National Institute of Mental Health

That is a huge percentage (18%) of the whole population of the US.

If you have anxiety attacks, this should help a little, because you know that you are not alone, and that anxiety is a real disease, not just something in your head.

There are actually 5 types of anxiety disorders, and the symptoms with all of them are all about irrational fear, ie, fear, where there is actually nothing to really be afraid of:

* panic disorder,

* obsessive compulsive disorder,

* post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

* social phobia (or social anxiety disorder),

* specific phobias, and

* GAD or generalized anxiety disorder

We will focus on what the doctors call panic disorder, which the rest of us call anxiety or panic attacks.

Panic disorders affect 6 million Americans. While panic disorder strikes all ages and genders, the highest risk is for women between childhood and middle age. Once the problem starts, most people suffer from panic attacks for an extended period, from 6 months to several years.

Panic attacks are sudden attacks of terror that usually produce a sense of unreality, a fear of impending doom, or a fear of losing control. Panic attacks can occur at any time, even when sleeping. They usually peak in about 10 minutes, but some symptoms can last several hours.

Physical symptoms can include the following:

* a pounding rapid heartbeat

* sweaty palms

* feeling weak

* feeling faint

* feeling dizziness

* feeling flush or chilled

* tingling or numbing feelings

* upset stomach

* feeling chest pains

* feeling smothering sensations.

Fear of ones own unexplained physical symptoms is also common with anxiety attacks. People having anxiety attacks sometimes believe they are having heart attacks or losing their minds. Since they cant predict where an attack will occur, many worry intensely and dread the next attack.

Panic disorder is sometimes accompanied by other serious problems, such as depression, drug abuse, or alcoholism. Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness or hopelessness, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, low energy, and difficulty concentrating.

People who have several repeated anxiety attacks often avoid situations or places where such attacks have occurred.

For example, if a panic attack happened in an airplane, someone with panic disorder can develop a strong fear of flying.

Some peoples lives become so restricted that they avoid normal activities, like driving or grocery shopping. About 33% become housebound, only venturing out when with someone else. When the condition progresses this far, it is called agoraphobia, or fear of open spaces.

Early treatment can prevent agoraphobia. Unfortunately, many people with panic disorder are not diagnosed. They can sometimes go from doctor to doctor for years and visit the emergency room repeatedly before someone correctly understands their condition.

I had a similar experience with panic attacks:

I started my panic attacks at age 21, and had many of these feelings of intense fear. My physical symptoms included dizziness and smothering sensations.

My doctor started me on drugs, and while they made me feel temporarily better, they didn’t stop the attacks. Because of the nasty side effects (and the huge expenses), I eventually stopped using the tranquilizers.

I then tried deep breathing and exercise, but neither stopped my panic attacks.

I completely stopped flying, social encounters, and driving for about 3 years.

I finally found a way to stop these panic attacks. I felt eternally grateful that they had stopped, and I now try to provide support and information to others who suffer from panic attacks.