Too much stress and anxiety can lead to panic symptoms.
Most of us know what it feels like to be stressed.
We feel easily irritable, angry and we feel overwhelmed with anxious thoughts and troubling sensations.
Going through divorce, losing a job, moving home; these can be severely stressful times.
Often problems seem to all come tumbling down on us at once and life can be overwhelming to deal with.
Imagine sticking your hand in a pan full of hot water.
Instantly your body sends your brain warning signals; your brain registers extreme heat and pain, and you pull away your hand.
In just a few seconds, panic symptoms kick in; your heart starts to race, you breathe faster, and your senses become heightened.
The exact same chemical response occurs when you encounter any other threat.
This chemical or 'stress' response is what keeps us on our edge; makes us wary and motivates us to do things.
It helps us remember important things, keeps us on time and helps keep us and others around us from harm.
Small children can keep adults constantly on their toes.
If you've ever looked after a small child you'll know how tough it can be.
It's as if everything in the room becomes a hazard! You start scouting out for sharp objects and corners, and anything that could be a threat.
When the child is about to do something dangerous, such as trap their fingers in the drawer, the same stress response kicks into action.
You experience a horrible feeling in your gut and your body switches into overdrive.
Prolonged stress is much like sticking your hand in a cool pan of water and slowly heating it up to boiling point.
Stress hormones can gradually build up inside us and make us feel constantly on edge and fatigued.
We might experience frequent headaches, nausea, tingling sensations and shallow breathing.
These same sensations can be felt when we experience panic symptoms only with less intensity.
Stress and anxiety can keep you awake at night.
People who are stressed might feel totally exhausted but feel physically and mentally charged at night.
Stress hormones and adrenaline rushes around their body making them feel restless and tense.
They may have thoughts of dread and worry and find it difficult to relax as if they're ready to explode.
Don't ignore stress and panic symptoms until they get out of control, which is what most people do.
Proactively try and reduce stress and anxiety by using self help and relaxation techniques.
When these stress hormones stay in our body too long they can cause serious health problems.
They can weaken the immune system and lead to other problems such as insomnia, depression and obesity.