Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that involves repeated panic attacks over a short period of time (e.g., four or more panic attacks in a month). Each year, about 2.4 million Americans experience panic disorder, according to the National Mental Health Association. It's among the most common anxiety disorders.

Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with panic disorder. This condition can be very frightening and cause a great deal of anxiety. However, it can often be treated effectively. The right treatment regimen can help reduce or prevent panic attacks in 70 to 90 percent of patients, according to the National Mental Health Association.

If you're taking medications for panic disorder, it's very important that you follow your doctor's orders closely. The use of antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications should be closely monitored. They may take time to become effective and the effectiveness varies between individuals. Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage or completely change medications to find one that provides the optimal results for you with minimal side effects. You should not stop using antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications unless under close supervision of your doctor. Stopping these medications too quickly may cause withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, headache and dizziness and, in some cases, death. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in children and adolescents and all people being treated with them should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior.