This experience has many names such as the panic attack (or habit or disorder or reaction), anxiety attacks (or disorder or reaction), acute stress disorder, etc. Some people equate it with agoraphobia or social phobia.

The term `panic attack' is used to describe a uncomfortable and upwardly spiraling state of anxiety, fear, and intense mental and physical arousal coupled with an intense fear of the state itself.

If you experience panics it is important to remember that it is a learned behavioural habit and not a ' personality disorder ' nor a reflection of some inherent character weakness. And because it is a learned behaviour it can be 'unlearned' and replaced. This takes a little time and quite a bit of dedication - but it can be done.

The pages in this section:

Panics - How?	How the panic habit begins. How we develop this anxiety or fear state. The connection with agoraphobia or social phobia.
Panics - Why?	Why this phobia begins. The internal and external causes of anxiety reactions. How we maintain the fearful reaction.
Panics - Who?	An unscientific view of who tends to be most susceptible to the panic experience along with some personality traits that can give rise to the habit.
Panics - Action!	Taking action - what to do about anxiety attacks. Tips for managing your feelings, thoughts and actions during an anxiety attack and for dealing with the adrenaline rush.
Newsletter Article	Our Newsletter article on Panic Attacks
Answers on Panic	Check out the Q&A about Panic Attacks