quickly go away. It does seem to the sufferer that those few minutes are forever due to their overwhelming fear. Because the attacks are such horrible experiences, most panic disorder patients will then develop anticipatory anxiety, which is known as fear of the fear. They not only fear the panic attack, itself, but also the anticipation of it. They will obsess over the possibility they will have more attacks. Even the slightest physical symptom can set off the anticipatory anxiety and create the fear of fear.In any given month, 5 tenths of our population, or 1 million people will exhibit symptoms of panic disorder. This condition will affect at least one out of every 75 people worldwide during their lifetime. Two thirds of the sufferers will be women. Panic disorder typically begins in the late teen years, or the early to mid- twenties, however, the disorder can develop in childhood, middle age or the later years. Panic disorder also appears to be somewhat heredity; 15 to 17 percent of patients who have close relatives with panic disorder also have the disorder themselves.The first attack is often preceded by a stressful event - the death of someone close, the breakup of a marriage, an illness, a new job, or a move to another area. However, any event that causes stress, even a positive one such as marriage, or the birth of a child, can trigger an attack. After the first attack, the frequency of the attacks can range from several times a day, to once or twice a week, to just once a year. Some people never have a second attack. No matter how often, or seldom, the attacks occur, most people will develop the fear of fear.One third of people with panic disorder also have agoraphobia, or fear of open places. One half of those with panic disorder will also have an episode of clinical depression at some point in their lives. Twenty percent of people with panic disorder have attempted suicide. People with panic disorder often tu...
