Panic disorder is uncommon, affecting 2 to 3% of the population in a 12-mo period. Panic disorder usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood and affects women 2 to 3 times more often than men.

In the UK, approximately one person in 100 has panic disorder. Most people first develop the disorder during their 20s, and it is approximately twice as common in women as it is in men.

The exact cause or causes of panic disorder are unknown and are the subject of intense scientific investigation. Treatment for panic disorder includes medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.

There is also some evidence for a genetic predisposition; if a family member has suffered from panic disorder, you have an increased risk of suffering from it yourself, especially during a time in your life that is particularly stressful.

The causes of panic disorders are usually external stressors; things that attack your feeling of security and well-being. For example, panic attacks are usually experienced following the death of a spouse, parent or child, loss of job, financial loss and the like.

The feeling of fear in the body can be so intense it may even be borderline painful. If one has never suffered from an attack, it is very hard to describe in words.

It is therefore very important that you are able to recognize panic disorder when it affects you or anyone you know. It also vital that you understand that suffering from panic disorder does not mean you are crazy.

The good news is that, once diagnosed, panic disorder is highly treatable. In fact, appropriate treatment can reduce or completely prevent panic attacks in 70 to 90 percent of patients–particularly when panic disorder is recognized early.