Panic Disorder can be an all encompassing feeling that can profoundly disrupt the sufferer's life.  Individuals with this disorder will often describe feeling as though they are out of control and even as if they are dying. The attack is usually unprovoked and can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, difficulty drawing a breath, and a rapid heartbeat. This disorder is often misdiagnosed and therefore people who have these symptoms may be subject to years of suffering and inappropriate treatment before they are actually diagnosed. Many emergency rooms see patients who are certain they are having a heart attack but find out after extensive and expensive testing that instead they are having a panic attack. Women seem to be more prone to this disorder and in fact are diagnosed with it twice as often as men.

Unfortunately people are often insensitive to the plight of people with Panic Disorder and they are called everything from dramatic to manipulative. What makes the disorder unique and hard for many to relate to is that the attacks occur seemingly out of nowhere. They are typically not a response to some external stimuli. People seem to understand being afraid of "something" but can't fathom just suddenly becoming afraid for your life. After someone has an initial panic attack they may associate the response to their circumstances at that moment. For instance, if they were driving on the freeway when they had the attack they may avoid driving on the freeway as a way to stave off another episode. The anxiety around the possibility of having another attack is part of this often debilitating experience.

There has been a great deal of research into Panic Disorder and is has become clear that sufferers seem to have a physiological predisposition which causes these individuals to have an over active flight or fight response. The studies have shown that the brains of these people have a chemical imbalance which involves the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Anyone who has suffered from this disorder can tell you how devastating and life-altering it can be. People become isolated and their families and careers can be disrupted. These individuals are more prone to depression and substance abuse then the general population and are often financially burdened in their quest to rule out other medical diagnoses. If you or someone you care about suffers from any of the above symptoms it is worth considering this as a possible diagnosis. Medication and cognitive behavioral techniques have been shown to be extremely effective in treating this disorder.