Panic Attack

What is Panic Attack?

Panic disorder affects about 6 million American adults and is twice as common in women as men. Panic attacks often begin in late adolescence or early adulthood as mine did, but fortunately not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder. Many people have just one attack and never have another.

The tendency to develop panic attacks appears to be inherited. This is a concern for me and my girlfriend Alison. We met at a panic attack support group!

There are a number of symptoms of panic attack that give doctors and therapists the clue that you actually have the condition. More...

For me, some of the worst feeling were: fear of impending doom and fear of going crazy.

People like me who have had full-blown, repeated panic attacks can become very disabled by their condition. I developed a fear of being in open spaces in a crowd of people. As proof to myself that I had overcome the condition I set myself a goal of going to Tianamen Square in Beijing, which is a massive open space with thousands of people milling around. You can read my story to find out how I achieved this milestone.

After I first experienced panic attack my life became very restricted as I was unable to do many normal activities, such as shopping and driving. I got to a stage where I could only go out when accompanied by my mother Beryl, this was not a good situation to be in for a single 22 year old guy!

My mother helped me enormously, and I have included some advice from her for family members trying to help a loved one through this condition.

Panic attack is often accompanied by other serious problems, such as depression and alcoholism. I certainly went through a stage of drinking too much.

Now I am great believer in more natural ways to deal with the symptoms. I found that swapping from wine to herbal remedies may a big difference for me. I also made a shift in my diet which I believe also helped me.

One of the main problems I faced in dealing with panic attack was my constant over breathing. Using breathing techniques and other lifestyle changes are essential, I believe, to recovery.

This website is focused on how one person was able to overcome his condition with the support of others and a very powerful program called Panic Away by Joe Barry.

The program does have a slight flaw but I have found a way to correct that.

I wish you well on your path to recovery

John