What is panic disorder?
People who suffer panic disorder suffer unexpected attacks witch include some, or all of the following symptoms:

~Pounding, racing heart.
~Dizzy or lightheadedness.
~Hot or cold flashes.
~Feeling of being detached or feelings of unreality.
~Fear of losing control or going crazy.
~Shortness of breath.
~Sweating.
~Cheast pains.
~Fear of dying.
~Shaking or trembeling.
~Numbness or tingling.
~Nausea.

                    To understand panic disorder, you first have to understand what a panic attack is. A panic attack is when your body has a normal reaction to a life-threating experience. People with panic disorder however have these attacks when danger isn't imminent. They have them while driving, or while at a shopping mall. They can have them anytime for no apparent reason. They can become very restricted - for example a person might have a panic attack in a mall and feel that he or she shouldn't go back to that mall for fear of having another attack. That is how people with panic disorder often develop agoraphobia. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack will develop panic disorder. It affects about 3 to 6 million americans. It can happen at any age, and it is more common in women than men.There are several treatment options. One of the most effictive {and the one that helped me most} is Cognitive-behavioral therapy. It teaches patients to view their disorder in a different way. Like talking yourself down from a panic attack. Exposure is also taught, in witch you slowly face your fears head on, and gradualy you get use to the situation and no longer fear it as much. There is also medications such as Zoloft, Paxil, and Clexa. some people find the combination of the two help best, and others prefer just one. The most important thing to remember is you are not alone, and that 70 to 90 precent of people who seek help for their disorder show significant improvement within 6 to 8 weeks.

A major survey by the National Institute of Menatl Health estimates that 1.5% of the population suffers from Panic disorder.
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