The main feature of GAD is excessive and pervasive worry. PD also causes excessive and pervasive worry. So, what's the difference between PD and GAD? The difference may be best understood by looking at the focus of the worry. With PD, the focus of excessive worry is usually about having another panic attack. The focus of worry in GAD generally surrounds many usual life circumstances. For example, excessive worry about finances, job issues, children, and other everyday life events is associated with GAD. Both are classified as "anxiety disorders" and may occur together.

The human brain functions in a complex chemical environment. Researchers now know that brain chemicals play a big part in anxiety and panic. For example, serotonin is one chemical that plays role in modulating anxiety and mood. If serotonin levels are out of balance, excess anxiety and panic may result.

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Is stress causing your heart to pound and your head to ache? It's easy to let stress get the best of us. It gains power when we feel most vulnerable, and its influence can complicate just about every area of our lives. If you're stressed out, you may feel frustrated, angry, nervous and worried. These feelings are likely to have a negative affect on your family, work and social life.

Persistent and unhealthy stress often leads to increased anxiety. If you have panic disorder, more anxiety is the last thing you probably need. In the long-term, unchecked stress has also been indicated in a variety of physical illnesses, such as heart disease, stomach problems, and pain.

The good news is you can learn to manage your stress. There are a variety of effective stress management techniques that are just right for you.

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Forum member, JGRECS, asks, "Does anyone ever feel like they are floating? Tingling in the hands, light sensitivity?" A couple of members responded with descriptions of similar sensations:

I too get the floating feeling you are describing - sometimes it feels like my head is going to leave my body - I actually put my hand on my head to make sure it's still there. And, if this happens while walking - the floating feeling - I will walk a little hard on my feet just to feel the floor to make sure I am still grounded. --mrsellen

I almost feel like I've floated out of my body and I'm standing there looking at myself. Or, sometimes I'll feel like my body is made of jelly. I'll feel like, if I wanted to, I could bend and twist my legs and arms every which way. Sometimes, It'll get to the point where I touch my arms and legs to makes sure they're still there. --LeslieJean72

These troubling symptoms may be caused by depersonalization or derealization. According to the DSM-IV- TR, depersonalization and derealization can be symptoms of a panic attack. If you have panic disorder and experience episodes of depersonalization and/or derealization, you're likely to wonder:

• "Am I going crazy?"
• "Do I have some grave illness?"
• "Am I dying?"

The answers to these questions are no, no and absolutely not. Though quite disturbing, the symptoms of anxiety-related depersonalization and derealization are actually not thought to be dangerous.