What causes panic attacks, and how can you prevent them?

Dig into the science of what triggers panic attacks, how to recognize them, and the available treatments for panic disorder.

Countless poets and writers have tried to put words to the experience of a panic attack - a sensation so overwhelming, many people mistake it for a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening crisis. Studies suggest that almost a third of us will experience at least one panic attack in our lives. So what exactly is a panic attack, and can we prevent them? Cindy J. Aaronson investigates.