Panic and anxiety problems generally, affect millions of people annually.
Understanding the statistics and results of anxiety can be a good first step in addressing your own problem.
Research shows that women are more prone to these conditions than men, but the gap appears to be narrowing.
The National Institute of Health estimates that 10% of people who suffer panic attacks become housebound.
Even with someone, they're very reluctant to go out, but by themselves they never attempt it.
The National Institute also states that 30% of sufferers either lose their jobs, are demoted or are vastly overqualified for the positions they do hold.
They're simply unable to handle the responsibilities of a job higher up the ladder for which they are qualified.
It almost goes without saying that these same people have awful difficulties maintaining social relationships or even living fully productive lives.
There was a woman I knew in England who had an unfortunate episode with three men while she was out shopping.
They didn't attack her, but they did jostle her and make untoward remarks.
Her husband was a fireman, a huge man, and very supportive indeed to her.
However, this relatively minor episode threw her into such a tailspin that when I came to know the family, she hadn't left the house for five years.
She literally lived in the sitting room with the curtains drawn.
Her husband tried so many times to persuade her to go out with him.
Believe me, she'd have been quite safe! But no, she flatly refused.
This was many years ago and what medications she was on, if any, I have no idea, nor do I know what happened to them.
But it was such a shame to see her waste her life in this way.
However, these days, there are certainly treatment options for those who suffer from panic and anxiety, ranging from natural supplements, exercise, dietary changes, therapy and of course medication.
The key in many cases is to recognize what's causing the anxiety.
In the case of the lady I've just related, her problem was from a definite outside source, although to be very blunt, she could have done more for herself.
If she'd been beaten to a pulp, it would have been more understandable.
It is so necessary, though, for the sufferer to make some effort on their behalf.
So many of these anxiety symptoms, too, are completely imaginary.
Please don't misunderstand me.
It doesn't make them any the less severe to the poor person who's suffering the condition, nor is it their fault.
This must be emphasized.
But there does come a time when it's worth facing these fears and trying to understand what brought them on in the first place.
It's so important to face your fears and anxiety.
If you try to run from them, while it may work in the short term, eventually they'll hold you captive in an even tighter grip.