Panic Disorder effects 1 in 100 people in the UK and approximately 3 in 100 in the US and is more commonly found in women, although this statistic may be erroneous considering that men are notoriously bad at seeking help about health issues and society almost demands that men are rocks for the little weak and fragile women to cling to! The number of attacks ranges from per week to per month depending on the severity of your condition.
Although women are seen as the more likely to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, it is believed that as many men experience panic attacks as women but the sufferer writes it off as a warning of a heart attack.
Society also says that 'Men do not suffer from anxiety' therefore, the tight chest, rapid breathing, palpitations must be related to the heart! WRONG.
Men are as likely to suffer from anxiety as women.
We are both of the human species persuasion and therefore as influenced by ancient survival hard wiring that affects some more than others, be they male or female.
Society has a lot to answer for here.
We are lead to believe that men are strong.
Men don't show emotion.
Men don't seek help from doctors and healers of any persuasion.
Unlike women.
Women, 'the weaker sex', fragile and need protection.
Women seek help and go to the doctors and healers.
Obviously women will crumble under the pressures of modern living unlike the big, strong protector ie MAN.
BS.
Men and women are both under ridiculous amounts of pressure either from themselves by thinking that some type of behaviour is expected from them.
Pressure piled on them at work from the boss, themselves also being pushed beyond the call of duty.
That they must work all hours to keep their job, after all there are always other people able to step in and take your place.
Quite likely but you can't live like that without something giving and unfortunately the brickwork is made of stronger stuff than you are.
Men and women of all ages are put under enormous amounts of pressure from all corners, be that from the establishment: work, school, college, From your peers, From family, From the media, such as the 'yummy Mummy' rubbish of a few years ago.
Size 8 a week after giving birth with immaculate hair and nails, jogging to school in a designer suit and fighting off the advances of Daddys dropping off the kids.
Come on people.
Forget the media.
Live your life the way you want to for the benefit of yourself and family and you'll be a lot happier in yourself and not suffering from half the stress! Much of the pressure is self-induced and believing that you know what other people are thinking.
You don't, so get over it.
For other people, the fear of another attack is real.
So real that the fear of the attack is all consuming and so begins the vicious cycle of fear.
Until the fear of the next attack is conquered the whole Panic Disorder syndrome will not end.