Have you ever had a friend who suffers from panic attacks? A panic or anxiety attack is a feeling of terror that strikes suddenly and repeatedly without warning (Psych Central, 2013). Anxiety is the body's natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a stressful situation (Smith, Robinson, & Segal, 2013). Having worry isn't always a bad thing because it helps you stay aware and focused. But when anxiety is constant or overwhelming, when it interferes with relationships and activities, stops being functional, that's when it crosses the line from normal, productive anxiety into the territory of anxiety disorders (Smith et al., 2013). Panic disorder affects approximately 2.4 million American adults, most often beginning during late adolescence and early adulthood (Katz, 2012). Studies have shown that biological and environmental factor play an important role in panic attacks. Some factors are family history, brain abnormalities, substance abuse, and severe life stress (Katz, 2012). It is more common in men than in women. According to one theory of panic disorder, the body's normal "alarm system", the set of mental and physical mechanisms that allow a person to respond to a threat, tends to activate unnecessarily when there is no danger (Stöppler, 2013). they are not signs of panic attacks because they sneak up on you; you never know when they will arrive. Anything can trigger an attack, like giving an important presentation in front of class or losing your child at the mall. Some people even stop doing their daily activities because it gives them anxiety or they always feel like something terrible is about to happen. Panic attacks usually last for... middle of paper... ws Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8872.phpPsych Central. (2013). Symptoms of panic disorder. Psychological center. Retrieved November 22, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/panic-disorder-symptoms/Rogge, T., MD. (2013, February 26). Panic disorder: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. United States National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000924.htmSmith, M., M.A., Robinson, L., & Segal, J., Ph.D. (2013, November). Anxiety attacks and anxiety disorders. : Signs, symptoms and treatment. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htmStöppler, MC, MD. (2013, September 10). Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder) Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Signs, Medication, Types - MedicineNet. MedicineNet. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/panic_disorder/article.htm