Are you suffering from panic disorder?

Anyone who has ever found himself in a stressful situation has experienced "panic" in some form or another. It’s the sort of panic that subsides with a few deep breaths, a soothing cup of tea, or a warm bath.

But true panic attacks don’t let up so easily. Worse, they are accompanied by multiple physical symptoms (chest pains, palpitations, difficulty of breathing, and profuse sweating, among others) so severe that sufferers believe they are dying or, at the very least, are seriously ill.

Panic disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences multiple panic attacks over a period of time. But unlike the "panic" that most people say they experience in response to clearly identifiable stress factors, these attacks appear to come out of nowhere. Victims do not know what will trigger their attack, much less where or when it will hit them.

In the face of such uncertainty, persons suffering from this condition live their lives anxiously anticipating the next attack, restricting their activities and gradually withdrawing from family and friends.

Moreover, they come to fear certain places and events where previous attacks have taken place and take great pains to avoid them. Eventually, their social circles get progressively smaller, and they become increasingly isolated from the rest of society.

It is not uncommon for people with panic disorders to develop other mental health conditions such as depression or turn to alcohol for solace. About 20 percent of sufferers even attempt suicide at some point in their lives.

The situation is, however, far from hopeless. Studies have shown that people who are afflicted with panic disorder can overcome their anxieties with a combination of behavior modification strategies and medication.

The former teaches patients to anticipate and respond more appropriately to situations associated with their panic attacks, while the latter seeks to address the chemical imbalance in the brain that is thought to be at the root of the problem.

The most promising of these medications appears to be Paroxetine (Seroxat), which belongs to the class of drugs known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These drugs work by restoring the levels of a mood elevator called serotonin that has been found deficient in persons with panic disorder.

With more of this chemical in the brain, patients are better able to fight the irrational terrors that well up inside them, enabling them to venture out into the world without fear. Seroxat is the first SSRI to be indicated for the treatment of panic disorder.

So if you think that you – or someone you know – may be suffering from panic disorder, don’t despair. Help is available in more ways than one. Contact a doctor, local health clinic or hospital and ask about treatment programs for panic disorder. Learn as much as you can about your condition and keep in mind that you are not alone in your suffering: many people, including celebrities and public leaders, have sought the help of health professionals on how they could deal with panic disorder and have succeeded.