Feeling anxious can be a normal emotion that helps you recognise genuine dangerous situations and to evaluate risk.
But it turns into an illness if it lasts an abnormal amount of time.
Attacks can seem to come suddenly, without an obvious trigger.
The feeling of fear for you is very real, although those around you see nothing wrong.
They might even mock you for being scared for no reason.
Learn not to continually mask your panic and pretend all is well, especially around your loved ones, because this could just increase your anxiety.
Acceptance by you, and those important to you, is a necessary step on your road to recovery.
Remember, it is not your fault.
It could be that an underlying depression lurks behind those baffling bouts of sudden panic attacks.
Unfortunately, this distressing condition is often inherited.
Yes, your parents might be behind what you are going through.
But it is not their fault either.
Anxious parents tend to have nervy children who often model their behaviour.
The brain can be retrained.
But first it is up to you to recognise your condition and regain control of your life by homing in on those disabling thoughts.
Correcting your lopsided thinking is the key.
Question some of your long-held beliefs and you might come to realise you are distorting reality.
Confront this twisted slant on life and condition yourself to see there are other ways to view your world.
Genetics might have played a big part in your state of high anxiety, but be aware that your stress and depression could have been caused by random events in your life.
They have been long forgotten, but bent your mind to see yourself and your abilities in a negative light.
Medication like anti-depressants can provide temporary relief but should not be allowed to stop you from confronting your problem.
Realise you are not alone with panic attack and anxiety issues, but need to restructure your thinking.