They may blame their symptoms on something else, such as drinking too much coffee. We're all more likely to have panic attacks during periods of stress. But some of us seem to inherit a vulnerability to attacks, say researchers, since the attacks appear to run in families. For reasons that scientists don't completely understand, panic attacks are more common in women than men. There is always an overwhelming anxiety.
Most attacks last just minutes, and few go on for more than an hour.
If you think that you're having panic attacks, but you aren't sure, see your doctor. Certain medical conditions or medications can cause similar symptoms. If indeed the problem is panic, experts recommend immediate professional help, because treatment gets more difficult the more entrenched the problem becomes. Recurring panic attacks may lead to agoraphobia, characterized by irrational fears and avoidance of places or situations in which the panic occurs. People who experience panic worry that they're having heart attacks or dying or going crazy, explains Dr. Heitler.