nce of such situations, and great apprehension or anxiety in anticipation of social or performance situations. This fear significantly interferes with a person's relationships with other people, their social activities, and functioning level at work or school. Social phobia can lead to avoidance behavior. Meaning a person might avoid any social situation that makes them uncomfortable, and eventually becomes a homebody. The presence of panic attacks and fear of having another panic attack, called anticipatory anxiety characterize panic disorder. Symptoms of a panic attack are: 1. Heart palpitations 2. Sweating3. Trembling4. Smothering sensation5. Stomache problems6. Chills7. Hot flashes8. Feeling faint9. Chest pain10. Feelings of unreality11. Fear of dying12. Fear of losing control13. Fear of going crazy14. Tingling sensation Intense fear often accompanies at least four or more of the symptoms. These symptoms come on abruptly or out of the blue and usually subside in ten minutes to two hours. One out of seventy people suffer from this illness. The cause of panic disorder is unknown. People experiencing a panic attack sometimes think they are having a heart attack, since the symptoms of a heart attack and a panic attack are similar. Women are more likely to acquire this disorder than men are. Substance abuse and severe depression is very common in patients with PD. This illness is usually chronic but often cyclical in nature. Inability to work full time is also common. Many patients with PD are receiving disability payments and are unable to work at all.Many famous men and women have or do suffer from an anxiety disorder. Charles Darwin was thought to have suffered from panic disorder. In a journal, Darwin (1809-1882) described his malady as a "Sensation of fear accompanied by troubled beating of the heart, sweating, and trembling of muscles." Other famous people with an anxiety disorder ...
