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.

The state of our current economy has caused skyrocketing unemployment. This has left many Americans without health insurance. Even with the option to continue health coverage with a former employer, few can afford the high premiums to keep their health policy in effect. And, many employers are feeling the economic pinch and cutting employee benefits, leaving many uninsured or underinsured.

While state and federal legislators battle about healthcare reform and the need to make sure all of us have access to healthcare, the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey estimates 47 million Americans were uninsured at the 2008 census. And, depending on whom you ask, that number could be much higher. What's worse is that these figures don't touch on those who find themselves underinsured. Even with health insurance, huge deductibles, copayments and limited mental health coverage can leave many people unable to afford needed medical treatments.

If you're uninsured or underinsured, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contracts with medical providers across the United States to provide free, or nearly free, healthcare services. This includes treatment for mental health. Fees for services are based on a sliding scale, according to one's ability to pay. Community health centers are located in both well-populated cities as well as rural areas. You can search online for a center near you on the HRSA website.

If you are struggling to cover your medication costs, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance may be able to assist you in applying for public and private patient assistance programs, including those offered by pharmaceutical companies. If you qualify, your medications will be free or nearly free. The process of applying for patient assistance programs is relatively easy. The application is usually brief, and your physician will need to complete a simple form. Once processed, your medications will be shipped to your home or physician's office.

_{Photo © Don Farrall / Getty Images}

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For the latest information on panic disorder,
panic attacks and agoraphobia, sign up for the
Panic Disorder Newsletter
and visit the PD discussion and support forum.

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Forum member tina2008 writes, “I am getting real worried over swine flu. Is it my GAD or is the media just hyping it up?? Or is this a real worry??? I can't even tell anymore. I'm going to freak come October through WInter.” Given some of the predictions about this year’s flu season, Tina is probably not alone in her worries.

For those of you who remember the swine flu scare of 1976, there was a lot of worrying that turned out to be unnecessary. Could the 2009 H1N1 swine flu be a 1976 repeat? Or, are we looking at a more sinister scenario such as that of the 1918 flu pandemic? Unfortunately, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

A lot of people are worried about this flu season. And if worry could take care of the problem, it would surely be solved by now. But, it can’t. So, the best defense is to put together a good plan of action based on reliable sources. You can find reliable information about protecting you and your family from swine flu infection as well as what to do if you develop flu symptoms from the CDC, WHO, or Flu.gov.

If you think you are worrying excessively, there are some strategies to reduce worrisome thoughts that you may find helpful.

A member of the panic disorder support forum started a pen pal thread. It’s a great way to connect with others and share information and personal struggles with anxiety. All are welcome to participate. If you would like to correspond with some new “pen friends,” please join us!

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Forum member, trd22 wrote, “I seem to see a pattern in my anxiety when it really peaks as the seasons change. I don't know why that would be but it is a pretty clear pattern for me. Not just summer to fall with decreasing daylight but every seasonal change. Does anyone else experience that?”

Several readers wrote that they could relate to season change anxiety. For some it’s any season change, for others only certain times of year. Visit our support forum for more discussions about this and other panic and anxiety topics

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About 50 to 66% of women and 35 to 40% of men who have a panic disorder suffer from frequent headaches. And, people with panic disorder are up to seven times more likely to suffer the most severe of all headaches -- migraine. One study showed that two out of three patients with panic disorder met the criteria for problem headaches, with migraine being the most prevalent form.

According to the National Headache Foundation, there may be an association between headaches and food triggers. If you suffer from problem headaches or migraines, eliminating or limiting certain foods and beverages may help curb your headache symptoms. Since headaches may be a symptom in a variety of medical conditions, you should consult with your doctor to verify whether or not there is a connection between your headaches and food triggers.

As if worrying about this fall’s flu season given our current pandemic status isn’t enough, media reports are now focused on the safety of vaccines that will be used to immunize millions of people in the months ahead.  The World Health Organization stresses that “procedures in place for the licensing of pandemic vaccines, including procedures for expediting regulatory approval, are rigorous and do not compromise safety or quality controls.”  Although rare, there will likely be some adverse events once mass immunization gets underway.  But, WHO believes the swine flu vaccine will play a critical role in reducing illness and deaths during this pandemic.  What do you think?  Will you opt for the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine?

_{Photo © Lilli Day / Getty Images}

===============================

For the latest information on panic disorder,

panic attacks and agoraphobia, sign up for the

Panic Disorder Newsletter
and visit the PD discussion and support forum.

===============================

Many people use the term “anxiety attack” to describe the main symptoms of panic disorder. Sometimes people also use the term anxiety attack to describe their response to certain real dangers or normal life experiences that make them anxious. The terms anxiety attacks and panic attacks are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing. In this sense, the difference is purely a matter of semantics. But from a clinical perspective, panic and anxiety are defined by different features. In order to understand what someone really means by “anxiety attack,” it is necessary to consider the context in which the symptoms occur.

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