Health Tip: Symptoms of Panic Disorder

If you have them, seek counseling

(HealthDayNews) -- Panic disorder affects about 2.4 million adults in the United States, and is twice as common in women as men, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly. They can't predict attacks, and many develop intense anxiety between episodes, worrying when and where the next one will strike.

If you are having a panic attack, your heart will pound and you may feel sweaty, weak or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may also have nausea, chest pain, smothering sensations, or fear of impending doom.

A tendency to develop panic disorder appears to be inherited, and it's important for people who have the disorder to seek treatment quickly.

Panic disorder is one of the most treatable of the anxiety disorders, responding in most cases to medication and psychotherapy.

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