If you suffer from panic disoreder you can get information by calling a toll-free number.

People with panic disorder and health care professionals who treat them may call 1-800-64-PANIC, an information service of the National Institute of Mental Health.The agency is launching the 800 number in an effort to encourage broader recognition of panic disorder and its treatment.

More than 3 million people have panic disorder, but only one in three receives appropriate treatment.

Panic disorder is defined as a serious mental condition in which a person experiences multiple panic attacks, or may have just one or a few attacks but then feels severe anxiety about having another attack.

Symptoms of a panic attack can include a period of extreme terror, fear of losing control, racing or pounding heartbeat, chest pains, difficulty breathing, nausea and a fear of dying.

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Stressful events can trigger these attacks, but often they happen for no apparent reason. - Associated Press.

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