When Fear TakesControl of the Mind

A panic attack is asudden feeling of terror.Usually it does not last long,but it may feel likeforever.The cause can be something as normally uneventful as driving over a

bridge or flying inan airplane.And it can happen even if the person has driven over many bridgesor flown many times before.A fast heart beat.Sweaty hands.Difficulty in

breathing.Alight-headed feeling.At first a person may have no idea what is wrong.But thesecan all be signs of what is known as panic disorder.The first appearanceusually

is between the agesof 18 and 25.In some cases it develops after a tragedy,like the death of aloved one,or some other difficult situation.

In the United States,theNational Institute of Mental Health says more than two million people areaffected in any one-year period.The American Psychological Association

says panic disorderis twice more likely in women than men.And it can last anywhere from a fewmonths to a lifetime.

Panic attacks can bedangerous-for example,if a person is driving at the time.The Chesapeake Bay Bridgein the state of Marylandis so long and so high over the water,and it

is famous forscaring motorists. There is even a driver assistance program to help people getacross.Some people who suffer a panic attack develop a phobia,a deep fear of

ever repeating theactivity that brought on the attack.

But experts saypanic disorder can be treated.Doctors might suggest anti-anxiety oranti-depressant medicines.Talking to a counselor could help a person learn todeal with or

avoid a panicattack.There are breathing methods,for example,that might help a person calmdown.Panic disorder is included among what mental health professionals call

anxiety disorders.Astudy published last week reported a link between anxiety disorders and severalphysical diseases.It says these include thyroid disease,lung and stomach

problems,arthritis,migraineheadaches and allergic conditions.Researchers at the Universityof Manitoba in Canada say that in most cases thephysical condition follows the

anxietydisorder.However,they say,exactly how the two are connected remains unknown.

The report in theArchives of Internal Medicine came from a German health study of more than 4,000 adults.Which of thefollowing spots is the most likely to cause drivers to suffer panic disorderaccording to the author?

A.The Golden Gate Bridgein San Francisco.

B.The Chesapeake Bay Bridgein Maryland.

C.The Empire StateBuilding in New York.

D.The Niagara Fallsin North Amnerica.