Research has shown that women are twice as likely to be affected by panic attacks. ​The mean age at onset for panic attack in US is approximately 22-23 years old.  This is more related to a weaker autonomic response to emotional states in older individual compared to younger individuals. ​Negative affectivity (i.e., proneness to experiencing negative emotions) and anxiety sensitivity (i.e., the disposition to believe that symptoms of anxiety are harmful) are risk factors for the onset of panic attacks, as well as worry about panic.  Childhood experiences of sexual or physical abuse are more common in panic disorder.  Smoking is a risk factor also for panic attacks and panic disorders.  Personal stressors (e.g., interpersonal conflicts, diseases, or death in family, use of illicit drugs) are often identified as stressors before the first panic attack.

As we step into the new year, let's look at 5 common problems people face and what we can do about it:
a) Time
b) Conflict
c) Shyness
d) Patience
​e) Communication

Often we seem to be trapped in the repeated cycle of doing unhealthy pattern of behaviours, over and over again, despite the pain and suffering we go through.  Sometimes we might even have the insights that these behaviours came from unresolved issues from our past and yet felt helpless in changing them.  Here's a poem for us to reflect upon.