Anxiety disorders can lead to a ripple effect that can create some very confusing mental states. Panic attacks are among the most common of these states and they are among the most frightening. Since panic attacks are similar in nature to respiratory problems and heart ailments, it is no surprise that they can make people feel extremely frightened and uncomfortable. However, there are other serious aspects to severe anxiety one can experience when dealing with extreme anxiety. They are depersonalization and derealization.

Depersonalization is, essentially, a form of anxiety induced out of body experience. That means the person experiencing depersonalization feels completely detached from his or her physical state. Instead of being one of both body and mind, a mental state develops where the individual seems detached and removed from their physical being. Of course, this is merely a pained mental state that is the result of extreme anxiety and confusion.

Derealization is somewhat alike depersonalization in that the person has the feeling of being disconnected. But, with this condition, an individual doesn't have the sense of being disconnected from their physical state of being. They happen to feel disconnected from their surroundings they are in. Many may think this is just a state of wonderment, but believe me it most definitely isn't. Instead, this is a state of disorientation and confusion. Most people, that sense that they are disconnected from their surroundings, will soon know that things aren't right and possibly panic because of this. This is what the person that has depersonalization issue may do too.

You should not automatically conclude that panic attacks only are a reaction to fear on the anxiety disorders above. Fear and panic attacks go hand-in-hand though. And most assuredly, an individual in the midst of depersonalization and/or derealization will certainly feel afraid. Since the person is completely unaware to their surroundings, the panicky feeling often reaches too high a level. At this level it is hard for them to cope.

Plus the feeling of panic can be treacherous enough with an individual that is totally in reality. With derealization and depersonalization, the person will not have the beneficial feeling of knowing that they are in reality. Now this is truly a scary situation.

Many people might be curious of the causes for this kind of disorienting situations. Various reasons have been found. Many have put the blame on events that were traumatic for these situations, but other people say that there can be an imbalance of chemicals in the person's brain causing these situations. It can also be possible that several factors could be at fault. No matter what brings on the issues, it is vital to do something to cure the problems.

Getting to the root of the anxiety and eliminating it will have the ripple effect of eliminating panic attacks, depersonalization, and derealization. Again, since anxiety is the root cause of the problems, eliminating anxiety will reverse the various problems one may be experiencing. This is where proper treatment comes into play.

Treatment can take many forms. It can include psychotherapy, drug therapy, or any one of the alternate means of treatment that may be available. Regardless of the method one selects, it is important to seek a cure to the problem since this will free the afflicted of the ravages of the problem.