I HAD a car accident at Christmas and since then I've been having panic attacks. What can I do?

A panic attack is an episode of intense fear or anxiety that occurs suddenly. It can last from a couple of minutes to hours. The cause for these attacks may not always be obvious but they are an indication of extreme anxiety and sufferers generally have a tremendous fear that they will reoccur. Panic disorder is a common condition and it responds very well to treatment. It is important to remember that a panic attack will not harm you; it is your body's normal way of reacting to anxiety. For information on how to treat panic disorder call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.

HOW is manic depression different from bipolar disorder?

There is essentially no difference. Bipolar disorder was previously known as manic depression. It is a condition that affects your moodand people who have it can swing from one extreme of mood to the other. If you have bipolar disorder, you will have periods of depression and mania.There may not be a predicatble pattern to this It is a relatively common condition with around one person in 100 being diagnosed. It can be successfully managed by a combination of medication and self-help.

WHAT is Raynaud's?

Raynaud's is a common condition that affects blood supply to parts of the body, most commonly fingers and toes. It causes the affected area to go white and numb or tingly. This can last from a few minutes to several hours. Other parts of the body that can be affected by Raynaud's include the ears, nose, nipples and lips.

Raynaud's is most usually triggered by cold . The condition occurs because your blood vessels go into a temporary spasm, which blocks the flow of blood. It is not a serious condition, but can be annoying to live with, because it can be difficult to use your fingers. In many cases, it may be possible to control the symptoms of Raynaud's yourself by avoiding the cold, wearing gloves . If you are unable to control your symptoms yourself, then a medication called nifedipine may be recommended by your GP.

There are two types of Raynaud’s:primary – when the condition develops by itself (this is the most common type) and

secondary – when it’s caused by another health condition.

Most cases of secondary Raynaud’s are associated with conditions that cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue (autoimmune conditions), such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

The causes of primary Raynaud’s are unclear. However 1 in 10 people with primary Raynaud’s goes on to develop a condition associated with secondary Raynaud’s, such as lupus.

Your GP can help to determine whether you have primary or secondary Raynaud’s by examining your symptoms and carrying out blood tests.