Suffering from anxiety and panic attacks?

     Your heart pounds, your chest tightens, your palms sweat and your hands tremble.  It’s not a heart attack – although it certainly can feel like one.  It’s a panic attack, “a sudden episode of intense fear that develops for no apparent reason and that triggers severe physical reactions.” 

     Some people may have one or two isolated episodes, while others suffer from chronic, repeated, unpredictable panic attacks.  This persistent pattern of panic attacks may be the basis for a diagnosis of an anxiety or panic disorder.

            The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 18.1% of American adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, and that 4% of adults have a disorder that can be classified as “severe.”   Statistically, women are 60% more likely than men to suffer from an anxiety disorder, and the disorder most often manifests in childhood, with an average age-of-onset of 11 years old.  While there is some indication that panic disorder can run in families, there is no conclusive explanation for what causes these disorders.

            Common treatment for panic and anxiety disorders may include counseling, medication, or a combination of the two.  However, for some, panic and anxiety symptoms may continue to be debilitating, even with treatment.

            If a panic or anxiety disorder is making it impossible for you to work, you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.  For answers to your questions about the Social Security disability process and a free, personalized disability consultation, call Keefe Disability Law toll-free at (888) 904-6847.