The attacks, defined as a period of intense fear or discomfort, can literally cripple you, which is what has happened to mother-of-two Sharon Steele.

"Every day is new terror," she said.

"I had a really bad panic attack in the shower one morning, I couldn't shower for three weeks."

Sharon finds tasks like driving can be a living hell and has been a prisoner in her own suburb for more than two years.

"I worry for the children, they're like little slaves in the house all the time."

Fiona Wagstaff is another sufferer who struggles to drive even short distances.

"I have to keep telling myself that it's not that far to go," she said.

Judy Backstrom from the Panic Anxiety Association offers relief by using behaviour techniques.

"When we use cognitive therapy and awareness techniques there is a 90-95 per cent success rate in recovery," she said.

• Panic attack - www.panicattack.com.au
• Anxiety Australia - www.anxietyaustralia.com.au