Untreated, the disorder can become disabling. When a panic attack strikes, your heart may pound and you may feel sweaty, weak, faint or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb, and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may have chest pain or a sense of unreality, or fear of impending doom or loss of control. You may genuinely believe you're having a heart attack or stroke, losing your mind, or on the verge of death.
Attacks can occur at any time, even waking people from sleep.
While most attacks average a couple of minutes, occasionally they can go on for up to 10 minutes. In rare cases, they may last an hour or more. Phobic Disorders Phobias occur in several forms. Social phobia is a fear of being painfully embarrassed in a social setting. Social phobia often runs in families and may be accompanied by depression or alcoholism.