While everyone experiences brief stress and anxiety caused by a stressful event, anxiety and/or stress disorder is recurring, persistent, can get worse over time, and often restricts the individual's lifestyle.

Anxiety and/or Stress Disorder is a condition that can affect a person both physically and psychologically. It often starts with intermittent underlying symptoms, and over time, can be followed by persistent intensified symptoms (click here for a list of some of the more common anxiety symptoms). Other indicators can include a sense of being overwhelmed, feeling stressed, unexplainable mood swings, depression, excessive worry, anxiety and fear.

Anxiety and/or stress disorder doesn't have to be a life-long condition.

However, with the right information lasting normal health can be attained.

When I was suffering with severe anxiety disorder including intense panic attacks, many people told me that I might have to live with it (and be on medication) for the rest of my life. I'm certainly glad I didn't follow their advice.

Don't suffer needlessly--because you don't have to.

ANXIETY ATTACKS (panic attacks):

Anxiety/Panic disorder
Panic disorder is described as a sudden attack of terror, intense fear, or feelings of impending doom that strike without warning and for no apparent reason. This can be immediately followed by a number of symptoms including pounding heart, rapid heart rate, nausea, hot or cold flashes, chest pain, hands and feet may feel numb, you may be lightheaded or woozy, irrational thoughts, fear of losing control and a number of other symptoms. The peak of an attack can range anywhere between 5 to 30 minutes, but the symptoms can last much longer.

While many people have at least one panic attack in the course of their lifetime, panic disorder affects approximately 3% of the population. Panic disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood, and as is reportedly more likely to develop in women than in men. However, the statistics may be misleading because men are more reluctant to seek professional help.

If diagnosed early, panic disorder can be treated successfully. But if left untreated, it can develop into a more complex and lengthy condition. However, with today’s treatments the success rate can be very high. Treatments include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Behavior Therapy (BT), and medication.

Panic disorder often co-occurs with other disorders such as depression and GAD.