At least 3 million Americans will experience a panic attack at some time in their lives.
Panic attacks arise suddenly and typically last for several minutes.
They unnecessarily trigger the body's normal alarm system. While these attacks usually begin in young adulthood, symptoms can occur earlier or later in life. If left untreated, a panic disorder may worsen to the point where a person's quality of life is affected. Often, the first attack may be triggered by physical illnesses, a major life stress, or perhaps medications that increase activity in the part of the brain involved in fear reactions. Thanks to research, a variety of good treatments for panic disorder are available today, including both medications and specific forms of psychotherapy.