Feelings of panic are simply an exaggeration of the body's normal reaction to a fearful situation. Consider what happens if you nearly have a car accident, or how you would react if you thought you heard a burglar in the house at night. Your heart pounds, your palms feel clammy and you might feel a knot of fear in your stomach. These are examples of the body's fear reactions, which are quite normal.

We know why they happen and they are useful because they prepare us for action. The problem is when the fear reaction happens for no apparent reason. To experience intense feelings of fear without knowing why, can be very worrying indeed. If you don't understand what is happening, it is easy to imagine there is something wrong with you. All that has actually happened is that your normal fear reaction has become over-sensitive.

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