For some reason the month of September has seemed to drag on, especially this year. I suffer from Anxiety-Panic attacks and have for most of my life. I wasn't officially diagnosed with them until I was thirty years old and going through a particularly stressful and traumatic divorce.  I really didn't start taking medication for them until 1997.  I have gone long stretches of time without even having an attack.  The only way I can describe them is you feel overwhelmed, having difficulty sleeping, excessive worrying and your heart is beating out of your chest.  There have been times where I have blacked out and woke up on the floor.  It's frightening for many people who don't understand the condition and haven't had any experience with it such as a family member or friend suffering from them.  They are becoming more common place in young adults and adolescents. 

There is treatment for Anxiety-Panic Disorder, or also known as General Anxiety Disorder. They are medication, therapy/counseling and even relaxation techniques.  I have been taking Cymbalta and Ativan and seeing a social worker for counseling.   I used to take Zoloft but was up to 100 mgs. a day then my doctor suggested trying Cymbalta.  Other drugs used to treat it are Buspar, Prozac and Xanax to name some that come to mind.