Fear and anxiety are part of life. You may feel anxious before you take a test or
walk down a dark street. This kind of anxiety is useful - it can make you more alert
or careful. It usually ends soon after you are out of the situation that caused
it. But for millions of people in the United States, the anxiety does not go away,
and gets worse over time. They may have chest pains or nightmares. They may even
be afraid to leave home. These people have anxiety disorders. Types include
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Phobias
- Generalized anxiety disorder
Treatment can involve medicines, therapy or both.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder. It causes panic attacks, which are sudden
feelings of terror for no reason. You may also feel physical symptoms, such as
- Fast heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulty
- Dizziness
Panic attacks can happen anytime, anywhere and without warning. You may live in
fear of another attack and may avoid places where you have had an attack. For some
people, fear takes over their lives and they cannot leave their homes.
Panic disorder is more common in women than men. It usually starts when people are
young adults. Sometimes it starts when a person is under a lot of stress. Most people
get better with treatment. Therapy can show you how to recognize and change your
thinking patterns before they lead to panic. Medicines can also help.