An anxiety disorder is serious and it can also be difficult to understand if you do not have one yourself. When someone is suffering from an anxiety or panic disorder they will be inflicted with sudden attacks that paralyze them in fear.

Some of the common symptoms of a panic attack are dizziness, feeling faint, increased breathing, a very fast beating heart, a disconnection from reality, numbness or tingling in the hands and heavy feet. When someone is suffering from an attack they may honestly feel like they are dying, and can appear to have absolutely no control over themselves.

This can be alarming to watch, especially if you do not understand how the person is feeling. How you react can either aggravate or slightly alleviate the situation. It is extremely important that you do not belittle the sufferer, or try and downplay what they are feeling. It is a very serious situation and that would only be making it worse. Although you may feel helpless watching the person (who could be someone you care about), there is nothing you can do to change the way they are feeling. Only the sufferer has the power to do this.

The best thing to do is to be patient and calm and wait for the attack to run its course. If the person cannot calm down properly on their own after a period of time, and the situation seems extremely serious and life-threatening, then take the sufferer to the nearest emergency room. Never administer prescription drugs for anxiety or depression to someone suffering from a panic disorder, unless the drugs have been specifically prescribed to that person.

In some instances the sufferer will be someone you are very close to. If you have noted these attacks on occasion, you need to assist them in seeking professional help. This is not something that should be ignored and it is your duty as a loving friend, relative or partner to help them. With the right medication and counseling the sufferer can live a normal life free of these debilitating attacks.

Sometimes anxiety disorder sufferers will turn to substances to help ease the tension they feel. Oftentimes these sufferers will feel that there is something "wrong" with them, especially if they are not aware that they are suffering from a panic disorder. They may feel that they are going crazy, and will be embarrassed about the attacks, especially if others have witnessed these moments. If you notice that your loved one is indulging in alcohol, street drugs or prescription medication you should intervene immediately.

Most of the time this disorder can start from early adolescence and continue through to adulthood, and it can be extremely disconcerting and devastating for the sufferer. When suffering from an attack they could honestly feel like their world is crumbling around them. One of the worst things you could do is insult the sufferer, or imply that they are trying to attract attention with their "attacks." Lack of support could spiral a sufferer into a deep depression, with traumatic consequences.

A panic disorder sufferer will need a sympathetic and firm ear, someone who empathizes and is willing to support them through recovery and therapy and ongoing medication. They will want to be made to feel as normal as possible. A good way to help is to do lots of research on anxiety disorders and keep the sufferer well-informed, so that they do not feel so lost and hopeless.