All great feedback so far. Sorry, I am just checking back in since I first responded. I appreciate others sharing their stories. I also believe that exercise, nutrition, meditation, therapy, anything like that may be helpful to some extent. But, if yours have already started or worsening, meds can start helping fairly quickly.
I am not a doctor or scientist, and certainly have no training in this field. I have no idea if heredity is a factor. I just know myself as we all do. I am extremely independent, responsible and planner for the future, and most importantly making sure my kids are taken care of. Health concerns, employment concerns. family splits, etc can add immense pressures on a person like that.
And if you don't learn how to deal with it, it will build up inside until manifesting same as an extreme fear of flying or public speaking. The GREAT news is, once you know what it is. it can be controlled medically. In fact, I suffered from attacks for several years. I was meeting my brother for dinner to go over some things I needed some help with due to health issues (non-financial). Since it is extremely difficult for me to ask for help, and so important for me to be self reliant in all aspects, I went into a full blown panic attack after we ordered and I began talking about it. I had to leave the restaurant, the room was spinning, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, I could hardly speak and felt like I would pass out. My brother sat with me in the car. As I finally started feeling just a little better, he told me it was a panic attack. His wife gets them so he knew. I had no idea, after having many, until then. And yes. I paid for our orders, to go.