I can remember my Dad not having a clue what was wrong with me when I first started having panic attacks. He'd just say something like - "don't worry about it" (if only I'd thought of that!!).

I feel that some people will never understand what a panic attack means even if they took the time to read about it.

If you've ever known anyone go through a life threatening event, be it a heart attack or an accident for example, you may have noticed a change. They often become a lot more sympathetic to other people's problems and are able to empathise more. This, I feel is down to the fact they have been through the same extreme emotions as someone having a panic attack - the fear that they are going to die.

To me at least, it takes an experience like this to make people re-evaluate there lives and their beliefs on subjects such as anxiety etc.

take care,
Davey