Panic attacks, how common are they?

[militaryspouse]

If you had to guess, what % of Americans do you think suffer from panic attacks, and do you get them, if so how frequently?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. They are NOT common! Are NOT! NOT! NOT!

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

2. From 1999 - 2004 and in 2006 I suffered with them the most.

I probably had 3 a week.

[Bjornsdotter]

3. I get them

..and it depends on how often. They are always triggered by something stressful in my life, or something that I perceive to be stressful. They always hit me when I'm sleeping and I wake up in a panic. sometimes they are so bad I'm shaking and I can't sit still.

Cheers

[Cabcere]

4. Not sure about percentages, but I'd say I get them once about every two or three months.

:shrug: They're not fun. :(

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. If you mean panic attacks, as opposed to anxiety attacks

I'd guess 10 percent or fewer.

I haven't had one in years — partly because of medication and partly because I avoid situations in which I'd be likely to have one.

[Ian David]

6. I've had two, and both times were after exposure to chemicals.

Once was after applying a chemical de-icer to my windshield, the other was after spraying pesticide on my bushes.

[MsKandice01]

7. I'd say probably 10% of the population or less...

They run in my family though. Both of my parents have been plagued with them...and, of course, they were passed down to me. I've learned to control them now so they're not bad at all anymore but before I learned to control them, I was having them daily for years. Good times, good times.

[LibraLiz1973]

8. 70%

of Americans suffer from them 12% of the time or more


That is my guess

[smirkymonkey]

9. I get them during periods of unbearable stress, except they are

really bad - incapacitating. I feel like I am having a heart attack and my pulse goes up to about 120- 130 (from 50-60), I can't breathe and I have this horrible feeling like I am going to die at any minute. My temperature drops and I am so cold that I am shaking so hard that I go stiff. I can hold or grasp anything and I have been lucky because there are usually other people around to call the paramedics or an ambulance if necessary. Usually the paramedics will do all the necessary tests to assure me that it's not a heart attack (not even close, given my vital signs & blood oxygen) and eventually they reassure me and people calm me down but it takes a while.

It's absolutely horrible! Fortunately I go through a phase for a few weeks only every 3 years or so - my doctor has given me sub-lingual Klonopin which goes right under my tongue and dissolves instantly so that the next time I have one I can take a few tabs that should calm me down almost immediately. Not sure what the statistics are, but I know that a lot of women get them, especially those who also suffer from depression. There are also other medications that can help with anxiety disorders as well. If it's you or someone you know, there is help available and if you are reluctant to try medication, cutting out caffeine and other stimulants (and drugs and/or alcohol) also helps. They seem to help at first, but they ultimately make the problem worse (I know this first hand). Also, Yoga, meditation, & exercise can help a lot too.

Good luck!

[SPKrazy]

10. I'd say that a fair percentage of Americans will have at least one

panic attack...

probably around 20% will have them more often than that...

about 15% i'm thinking will have panic disorders

:shrug:

really just guesses

too lazy to look it up

[lost-in-nj]

11. I used to get them

alot

I was surprised how many people got them



:hug:

I know how they can be


lost

[LadyoftheRabbits]

12. Hmm...

I'd say very likely more than half, at least a few times in their lives. And yes, I've had them in varying degrees since 7th grade (college junior now). Not quite so frequent now, but they have the ability to be quite debilitating.

[Nikia]

13. Where I work, it is at least 30%

That is how many people told me that they currently or previously (on multiple occaisions)experience panic attacks. There might be more people who have not came out and told me. I am guessing that our workplace is above average.
I get panic attacks. I get full blown attacks less often than I used. Probably now it is around once a month. If a panic attacks is 10 on the anxiety scale, though, I still have anxiety levels above 6 often, at least once per day if I am not home all day. I used to get panic attacks a few times per week.

[BlueIris]

14. Common. Ask your doctor if you want more info.

I had them between '98 and '99, but finally beat them for good with the right medication combo for me/major lifestyle change.

[ruiner4u]

15. getting more common everyday...

Id say it has something to do with the amount of corn syrup we all ingest and the amount of Rx crap in our drinking water, but id probably be called a tinfoiler....