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Simple Blood Test Will Accurately Diagnose Anxiety
21 Oct 2005

A new technique that can accurately diagnose anxiety disorders by performing a simple blood test, was developed at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The researchers hope that the anxiety blood test will soon make its way into hospitals and E.R. rooms and give doctors and psychiatrists a quick and precise tool for examining, and eventually treating, these disorders. The team has recently started work on another common illness - depression. They hope to find a way to diagnose and finally treat the millions who suffer from this illness as well.

Modern life presents us with ample opportunities to feel tense. When we feel tension and experience stress it is usually a normal reaction of our body that fades out when the cause of stress is eliminated. But sometimes the stress persists and become anxiety. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.) are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. with 19.1 million (13.3%) of the adult U.S. population (ages 18-54) affected.

For centuries people suffering from one form or another of anxiety disorder were either ignored or treated as mad by the medical establishment. Modern medicine helped by developing drugs that can treat various forms of anxiety disorders fairly well. The problem was that until now the only way to diagnose anxiety disorders was through an examination by a trained psychiatrist. Many people who are reluctant to undergo this examination are left untreated and can continue to suffer for many years. Research conducted by a team of scientists from the Hebrew University hopes to change all that. Professor Hermona Soreq, Dean of the Faculty of Science, who led the Hebrew University team, took it upon herself to find the biological basis of anxiety. Several years ago an opportunity presented itself when Professor Soreq received an invitation to join a consortium which created a large database on anxiety disorders in the U.S.

The initial research conducted was based on test results obtained from 461 individuals from the U.S. (198 men and 263 women) and was taken from two-generation families of African-American or Caucasian origin. These subjects underwent extensive blood tests as well as standard psychological tests to determine whether they suffered from anxiety.

Understanding Soreq's work requires some background into the way anxiety disorders occur in the human body. Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. ACh was actually the first neurotransmitter to be identified in 1914 and it plays an important role in the control of muscles, sweating sensation and other activities inside the central nervous system. Over the years studies have shown that when the body feels stress (for example when a child jumps in front of your car) the level of ACh in the synapses rises. In order for the body to return to normal levels of ACh a special enzyme called Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which breaks down the ACh, springs into action. Normally the levels of ACh and AchE decrease after the cause of the stress disappears, but people suffering from anxiety disorders continue to maintain high levels of ACh and AChE. As is the case with many other complex interactions inside the body, there are more than just two factors responsible for each behavioral pattern. Previous studies on mice suggested that two other enzymes called butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and paraoxonase (PON) are also involved in the anxiety controlling mechanism.

Since it is currently too complex to measure ACh directly, Professor Soreq and her team aimed at testing if people with abnormal levels of AChE, BChE and PON would also show anxiety symptoms and comparing this data to the psychological tests conducted separately. The results surprised even Soreq herself as she admitted in an interview to IsraCast. Her team found more than a 90% correlation between people who were diagnosed with higher than usual anxiety by a psychologist and people with abnormal AChE, BChE and PON levels. This result did not come easily to Soreq's team: first, they had to conduct numerous DNA tests on the blood samples they received in order to find the specific genes responsible for the increased risk of anxiety. These tests helped identify four main groups of people with an elevated tendency for developing anxiety disorders: women, African-American, people with low Body Mass Index (BMI) and people who have suffered a previous trauma in their lives. In order to devise an effective blood test for anxiety, the team had to take a number of factors into consideration. Since normal levels of AChE decrease with age, Soreq's team had to create an index that calculated the optimum AChE, BChE and PON levels in comparison to age, BMI and a few other relevant factors.

The most immediate consequence of the work conducted by Soreq's team was the development of a standard blood test for anxiety equipped with a set of equations into which the results will be introduced. According to Soreq the blood test will be inexpensive, accurate and will take only a few hours to receive the results. Currently the blood test is not yet available, as Yissum, the Hebrew University technology transfer company, in charge of the commercialization of the research is looking for a partner from the medical industry to help push the research out of the laboratory and into hospitals and clinics. If all goes according to plan said Soreq, the blood test can be available on the market in less than a year.

Another consequence of Soreq's research is work currently being done in a start-up company called Ester Neuroscience which was created by the venture capital fund Medica in 1997. The company is currently in second-phase trials of a drug for a neuromuscular transmission disorder called Myasthenia Gravis. The disorder which is fairly rare (approximately 36,000 cases in the United States) is diagnosed as specific muscle weakness. In patients of Myasthenia Gravis, ACh is released normally, but its effect on the nerve is diminished causing reduced muscle action. The drug developed by Ester Neuroscience is a synthetic DNA which is consumed orally, and current work is on the way to develop variants for the drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and acute stress reactions.


SOURCE: IsraCast

[Chilling_Echo]

i really hope this becomes available!!

this would be great, then everybody would know i'm not making it up! ;) j/k

[nick e]

This is quite a remarkable leap for diagnostic research and the medical field as a whole. Has any new information come up as to when this will be a common method for diagnosing anxiety? It will help confirm those who are aware that they have an anxiety disorder to be correct in their self-observations, and it will help with those who aren't as aware that they may have an anxiety disorder, but still suffer many symptoms without assuming it to be the actual chemical and/or post-trauma triggered stress that it really is. I am curious as to what has been done about applying this research to the field and when it would be seen locally.

[geogirl]

Anyone know how this blood test works?

Do you think it looks at the amount of adrenaline in our system or a serotonin level in our brains?

Sounds interesting! I wonder if it could tell us whether our disorder is caused by a chemical deficiency in the brain or by a trigger in our life....

Laura :)

[MaryCatherine]

Simple Blood Test Will Accurately Diagnose Anxiety
21 Oct 2005

A new technique that can accurately diagnose anxiety disorders by performing a simple blood test, was developed at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The researchers hope that the anxiety blood test will soon make its way into hospitals and E.R. rooms and give doctors and psychiatrists a quick and precise tool for examining, and eventually treating, these disorders. The team has recently started work on another common illness - depression. They hope to find a way to diagnose and finally treat the millions who suffer from this illness as well.

Modern life presents us with ample opportunities to feel tense. When we feel tension and experience stress it is usually a normal reaction of our body that fades out when the cause of stress is eliminated. But sometimes the stress persists and become anxiety. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.) are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. with 19.1 million (13.3%) of the adult U.S. population (ages 18-54) affected.

For centuries people suffering from one form or another of anxiety disorder were either ignored or treated as mad by the medical establishment. Modern medicine helped by developing drugs that can treat various forms of anxiety disorders fairly well. The problem was that until now the only way to diagnose anxiety disorders was through an examination by a trained psychiatrist. Many people who are reluctant to undergo this examination are left untreated and can continue to suffer for many years. Research conducted by a team of scientists from the Hebrew University hopes to change all that. Professor Hermona Soreq, Dean of the Faculty of Science, who led the Hebrew University team, took it upon herself to find the biological basis of anxiety. Several years ago an opportunity presented itself when Professor Soreq received an invitation to join a consortium which created a large database on anxiety disorders in the U.S.

The initial research conducted was based on test results obtained from 461 individuals from the U.S. (198 men and 263 women) and was taken from two-generation families of African-American or Caucasian origin. These subjects underwent extensive blood tests as well as standard psychological tests to determine whether they suffered from anxiety.

Understanding Soreq's work requires some background into the way anxiety disorders occur in the human body. Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. ACh was actually the first neurotransmitter to be identified in 1914 and it plays an important role in the control of muscles, sweating sensation and other activities inside the central nervous system. Over the years studies have shown that when the body feels stress (for example when a child jumps in front of your car) the level of ACh in the synapses rises. In order for the body to return to normal levels of ACh a special enzyme called Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which breaks down the ACh, springs into action. Normally the levels of ACh and AchE decrease after the cause of the stress disappears, but people suffering from anxiety disorders continue to maintain high levels of ACh and AChE. As is the case with many other complex interactions inside the body, there are more than just two factors responsible for each behavioral pattern. Previous studies on mice suggested that two other enzymes called butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and paraoxonase (PON) are also involved in the anxiety controlling mechanism.

Since it is currently too complex to measure ACh directly, Professor Soreq and her team aimed at testing if people with abnormal levels of AChE, BChE and PON would also show anxiety symptoms and comparing this data to the psychological tests conducted separately. The results surprised even Soreq herself as she admitted in an interview to IsraCast. Her team found more than a 90% correlation between people who were diagnosed with higher than usual anxiety by a psychologist and people with abnormal AChE, BChE and PON levels. This result did not come easily to Soreq's team: first, they had to conduct numerous DNA tests on the blood samples they received in order to find the specific genes responsible for the increased risk of anxiety. These tests helped identify four main groups of people with an elevated tendency for developing anxiety disorders: women, African-American, people with low Body Mass Index (BMI) and people who have suffered a previous trauma in their lives. In order to devise an effective blood test for anxiety, the team had to take a number of factors into consideration. Since normal levels of AChE decrease with age, Soreq's team had to create an index that calculated the optimum AChE, BChE and PON levels in comparison to age, BMI and a few other relevant factors.

The most immediate consequence of the work conducted by Soreq's team was the development of a standard blood test for anxiety equipped with a set of equations into which the results will be introduced. According to Soreq the blood test will be inexpensive, accurate and will take only a few hours to receive the results. Currently the blood test is not yet available, as Yissum, the Hebrew University technology transfer company, in charge of the commercialization of the research is looking for a partner from the medical industry to help push the research out of the laboratory and into hospitals and clinics. If all goes according to plan said Soreq, the blood test can be available on the market in less than a year.

Another consequence of Soreq's research is work currently being done in a start-up company called Ester Neuroscience which was created by the venture capital fund Medica in 1997. The company is currently in second-phase trials of a drug for a neuromuscular transmission disorder called Myasthenia Gravis. The disorder which is fairly rare (approximately 36,000 cases in the United States) is diagnosed as specific muscle weakness. In patients of Myasthenia Gravis, ACh is released normally, but its effect on the nerve is diminished causing reduced muscle action. The drug developed by Ester Neuroscience is a synthetic DNA which is consumed orally, and current work is on the way to develop variants for the drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and acute stress reactions.
SOURCE: IsraCast

This would be great . and it would stop the unnecissary use of alot of medication. no more guessing games. And it would become more understandable to the "norm". but if you have severe anxiety like i do, you dont need a test to prove it. but it would be nice for newly diagnosed people to make sure . when i was first having symptoms, I did not know what i was feeling and could not even put it into words. yes, this would be great!

[BioSphere]

That wouid be a great help for all of us.

[sam21]

sounds very interesting...wish it was available to us now as it would most defnitly benefit all those people who are suffering from anxiety issues and are in denial like me, and find it dificult to belive that it is anxiety causing these horrid symptoms.

[Torontoguy]

Even if its true big deal. Then I just have proof of what I already knew. Just my opinion

[kkuylen]

sounds very interesting...wish it was available to us now as it would most defnitly benefit all those people who are suffering from anxiety issues and are in denial like me, and find it dificult to belive that it is anxiety causing these horrid symptoms.

Sam, I have spent months and countless dollars going to doctors b/c I could not believe that anxiety was causing me to have my symptoms. I never had "anxiety" per se, but after a traumatic life event, had daily nausea, headaches, hot flushes & some dizziness for months. I, thinking I was semi-intelligent, could not see how this could all be caused by anxiety. Now I realize I am a dumb ***. lol. I finally have started lexapro and am very hopeful- I am still very curious to see that this med can help my physical symptoms, but we'll see.

[scissorhands]

We all try to rationalize what is going on and end up dealing with it ourselves for years until we give in. I am finally seeking help and went to the VA yesterday. I talked to a psychologist and they are doing bloodwork and urinalysis, hopefully it correlates with this new info. We agreed that it would be better to focus on the anxiety and then the depresion second. I'm not sure what meds I will be trying but from what I read Lexapro sounds interesting.

During the VA orientaion, I met one of the pharmacists before they even knew why I was there. She showed me how I'll receive meds and how to order, etc. Also, all the women were beautiful, but that's not important. Thanks for listening.

[chigirl]

I'll just say one thing about anxiety. I am 45yo. At 23yo, I had my first panic attack. I fought an anxiety disorder from that time until I was 41yo. At 41yo, I had nothing left, and had no choice but to start medicine.

I started taking Paxil in January 2003 and my life has changed drastically since. I know there are some people who are against meds, and that's fine... but meds are the cure for some, they were/are definitely the cure for me.

For those of you who are fighting, all I can say is please don't wait as long as I did. I could have had a much more enjoyable life, maybe would have even gotten married... had I been able to do anything in my 20's or 30's but suffer :(

I was afraid to take medicine like alot of people... but science has shown, anxiety and depression can be a mental illness for some... and for those, medicine might be the cure.

That's all I say on the subject.. I am one person who's life has changed dramatically because of Paxil. I am one person who is ever so happy that I tried it.

Please PM me if you'd like to chat more :)

[merlndogue]

I was totally against medication. I tried every herbal remedy known to exist. The Panic Attacks just got worse and worse. One day I was driving down the road and I said to myself, "Mira, do you want to live or die? Make a choice." At that point I pulled into my PCPs parking lot and walked in the door.

I went through a few weeks of torture finding the right medication, but at least I feel like I am finally on the right track. It will be a long road, but at least I have begun the journey.

They did do bloodwork supposedly to determine the amount of adrenaline. They sent the bloodwork to a psychatrist they recommended. She looked at the bloodwork, my symptoms and told me I had a severe chemical imbalance. Maybe I am confused on this. I am not sure. There is a long history of severe mental illness in my family. Maybe that is how they determined the chemical imbalance of not enough dopomines and endorphines being produced by my brain. I was not sleeping - tops two hours a night and had no desire for food.

There definitely has to be more to this. Why would people who have decent lives with no major trauma be so controlled by panic attacks.

What a horrible thing. It is like one long nightmare that never ends. It just chases you like a wild animal.

[Jkm]

I know I went through difficult times trying to control the anxiety and panic and I agree with your expression of feeling like you're being chased by it. I know I'd just sit and worry about the next attack, when and where it would occur and what would happen.

I'm glad that you took the opportunity to go into the doc and seek treatment. It's difficult to do and I know I put it off until I had panic states and I knew I couldn't life like that! I went on meds and adjustments for about a month, but the anxiety attacks never did return. I could feel it, but the meds took the worst of it down right away. Of course, I was able to stay away from panic-producing situations for awhile, but even that helped. I think it took about 6 weeks for the meds to work well enough that I was able to function better.

My doc was just looking at my blood sugar and thyroid, when she had my blood checked. I don't know about any other things she was looking for. I think she saw what I state when I walked in the room. Not good! I did lots of crying, as I felt like I was going to loose my mind and I think lots of people with anxiety disorders can fell like this. It was really scary.

I hope you continue to feel better as time goes on. My experience is that it takes awhile to get the right med or meds, then it's much better than going around, trying to live with the horrible symptoms. It was out of my control, and I was trying every coping technique I knew, and some of those weren't doing anything but making more problems, namely drinking. I think substance abuse is pretty high among people with some of these illnesses as we're trying to control our mood. I know the only time I could fall asleep and stay asleep was when I was bonked out on alcohol. Now, I can't stand the smell of it. I'm thankful that I quit.

There's nothing easy about our lives, but meds help take the symptoms down, and for that I'm very thankful!!

Jackie

[clipper40]

That's amazing! I've never even heard ACh or AChE discussed in relation to anxiety issues.

[KaBoom]

Wow, that is really amazing to read. I think that would be a very helpful tool for some people. My Mom will not admit that I have any problem (either Anxiety or depression) and would make my life hell if I was to go to the docters about it. Being able to check just from a blood test would be.....wow

[journey22]

wow from the blood they can find this out?? amazing

[Spinifex]

thats amazing news...

[Jkm]

This would be a good diagnostic tool, but some of us know and have had our docs see how bad it is within the first couple of appointments. I think crossing the 'fine line' and getting into treatment is what is the most important thing a person can do. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health, but people do not take responsibility and do this. No one can make you take meds or get into treatment. This is something we do for ourselves. It's a big step. It's scary and there's not much support out there. Just here!

Love, Jackie

[tiredofpanic50]

I believe this is true! When I get a panic attack I am sure I am getting so much adrenaline that I could lift a car. If I could, I would crawl right out of my skin. I also believe it is inherited. My entire family, excluding my Mom, are on some type of SSRI. This would prove it is not in our heads!

Edited by tiredofpanic50, 07 April 2008 - 11:27 PM.

[HoosierGal]

I will never forget the first time I had a panic attack. I was 6 months pregnant with my middle daughter and was standing at the kitchen sink drinking a glass of water and all of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe. I didn't know if I was going to die or what was going to happen to me. It was dark outside and for many years I wouldn't drink anything after dark because it made me feel like I was smothering. After my daughter was born my doctor put me on an anti-anxiety medication which stopped the panic attacks.

She has severe panic attacks and is afraid to drive outside of the small town she lives in. She takes Xanax but she still has the panic attacks.

My son used to have them too but hasn't had any for several years.

[tiredofpanic50]

I will never forget the first time I had a panic attack. I was 6 months pregnant with my middle daughter and was standing at the kitchen sink drinking a glass of water and all of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe. I didn't know if I was going to die or what was going to happen to me. It was dark outside and for many years I wouldn't drink anything after dark because it made me feel like I was smothering. After my daughter was born my doctor put me on an anti-anxiety medication which stopped the panic attacks.

She has severe panic attacks and is afraid to drive outside of the small town she lives in. She takes Xanax but she still has the panic attacks.

My son used to have them too but hasn't had any for several years.

It is impossible to fight your genes. I am glad you are better now. I have panic attacks at the most inopportune time! I had one when we moved from Mass to Florida. The Tennessee Mountains all around made me feel suffocated. I came upon a bridge that went into the air and had to drive about 30 mph just to get over it. My lips went numb and I was so afraid I would pass out and drive off of it. I have some really weird quirks. I think that is why I like where I am now. The roads are flat and smooth. Mass was hilly and ice storms and horrible to drive there! i think I will leave my brain to Science and maybe they can learn something from it!

[nikovdh]

With these blood tests they might be able to check effectiveness of medications too, instead of relying on patient input.

[Bodicifer]

Has anyone heard as to where this is at? Are they actually available globally? Is the science correct behind it? I haven't been able to find anything since the initial announcements back in 05.

[TFTexas]

Has anyone heard as to where this is at? Are they actually available globally? Is the science correct behind it? I haven't been able to find anything since the initial announcements back in 05.

I was kind of wondering if there has been any new information on this as well. My 'current' doctor never heard of this as of the date of this post. The idea that this is a 'mental' or 'thinking' problem has always had me somewhat skeptical. It seems strange that one day you can be perfectly fine with doing risky activities, like mountain climbing, then -- kazaam -- all of a sudden a seemingly simple task like going to the store is a major event.

I know that the scientists are really getting better with DNA and all...so it would be fantastic if this type of thing did become available...some sort of test as mentioned above. The only test I have been offerred in the last 11 years was a stress test. I thought at the time it was suggested , that with my blood pressure at 195, and my eyes wide enough to be seen a mile away, the sweating, and nervous twitching might have been an indication that I wasn't able to handle stress all that well, and not require a seperate test to prove the obvious.

P.S. As a newbie here I hope I am doing this right. I noticed someone above was banned. I read the rules a few times and am somewhat confused as to the exact process to follow. If there is ever any time that anyone feels that I have crossed any boundaries, please feel free to let me know.

Edited by TFTexas, 08 August 2008 - 11:20 AM.

[Bodicifer]

Has anyone heard as to where this is at? Are they actually available globally? Is the science correct behind it? I haven't been able to find anything since the initial announcements back in 05.

I was kind of wondering if there has been any new information on this as well. My 'current' doctor never heard of this as of the date of this post. The idea that this is a 'mental' or 'thinking' problem has always had me somewhat skeptical. It seems strange that one day you can be perfectly fine with doing risky activities, like mountain climbing, then -- kazaam -- all of a sudden a seemingly simple task like going to the store is a major event.

I know that the scientists are really getting better with DNA and all...so it would be fantastic if this type of thing did become available...some sort of test as mentioned above. The only test I have been offerred in the last 11 years was a stress test. I thought at the time it was suggested , that with my blood pressure at 195, and my eyes wide enough to be seen a mile away, the sweating, and nervous twitching might have been an indication that I wasn't able to handle stress all that well, and not require a seperate test to prove the obvious.

P.S. As a newbie here I hope I am doing this right. I noticed someone above was banned. I read the rules a few times and am somewhat confused as to the exact process to follow. If there is ever any time that anyone feels that I have crossed any boundaries, please feel free to let me know.

Hi TFTexas...I think the blood side of things would show up any potential checmical imbalances that perhaps may lead you to be susceptible. I think anxiety and panic are movements higher or lower than the 'normal' levels and perhaps chemically the imbalances may allow this to happen.

[TFTexas]

[/quote]

Hi TFTexas...I think the blood side of things would show up any potential checmical imbalances that perhaps may lead you to be susceptible. I think anxiety and panic are movements higher or lower than the 'normal' levels and perhaps chemically the imbalances may allow this to happen.
[/quote]

Hello...

Thank-you for your reply.

One of the frustrations I have over this whole anxiety/panic attack thing is that I never have had "any" tests done. All I ever received was questions, nothing more. I rushed to the doctor during one panic attack, and when he suggested a stress test, I thought he was joking.

Also, I have read some of Ray Kurzweil's material, which sort of contains similar information as posted above. In researching any doctors that do such work, the least expensive place I found that would run a battery of tests was still way too expensive for me.

This is why it would be nice to see something become available that is widespread and affordable, and remove alot of the guesswork being done to date.

[Bodicifer]

Yes I agree. Anxiety and Panic I believe can be split into two parts...the mental and the chemical, and they can both drive each other at different times. I think on the chemical side we just have more or less of something at different times. ie. cortisol etc. The mental is all 'learned' and/or more importantly in a lot of cases, 'misinterpreted' events or information.

[Arora]

Even if its true big deal. Then I just have proof of what I already knew. Just my opinion

No offense but keep those opinions to yourself. People believe I am making it up when I say my anxiety overwhelms my body to the point where I pass out. I have been accused of making it up or being 'overly sensitive.' This is the first time I've heard that panic and anxiety disorders are definately medical. Now maybe people will forgive me for not finishing university and for acting the way I do. Because I have lost many friends and family over this because they just don't understand.

[Markinla]

sounds very interesting...wish it was available to us now as it would most defnitly benefit all those people who are suffering from anxiety issues and are in denial like me, and find it dificult to belive that it is anxiety causing these horrid symptoms.

Sam, I have spent months and countless dollars going to doctors b/c I could not believe that anxiety was causing me to have my symptoms. I never had "anxiety" per se, but after a traumatic life event, had daily nausea, headaches, hot flushes & some dizziness for months. I, thinking I was semi-intelligent, could not see how this could all be caused by anxiety. Now I realize I am a dumb ***. lol. I finally have started lexapro and am very hopeful- I am still very curious to see that this med can help my physical symptoms, but we'll see.

I was taking Wellbutrin which did not work for me at all. On the contrary it made me more anxious. I started Lexapro 10 days ago and I have not had an anxiety attack since. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.

[houseofcats]

Even if its true big deal. Then I just have proof of what I already knew. Just my opinion

No offense but keep those opinions to yourself. People believe I am making it up when I say my anxiety overwhelms my body to the point where I pass out. I have been accused of making it up or being 'overly sensitive.' This is the first time I've heard that panic and anxiety disorders are definately medical. Now maybe people will forgive me for not finishing university and for acting the way I do. Because I have lost many friends and family over this because they just don't understand.

Hi Arora--this is off topic, but if you pass out (as I do as well) you may have neurocardiogenic syncope along with panic disorder. Check it out with a cardiologist. My psychiatrist and cardiologist can't confirm what is panic and what is "pre-syncope" (syncope=fainting). The nausea, sweats, numb lips, etc. are the same for both. Good luck--you're not alone!

Houseofcats

[Lookingforalight]

I will never forget the first time I had a panic attack. I was 6 months pregnant with my middle daughter and was standing at the kitchen sink drinking a glass of water and all of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe. I didn't know if I was going to die or what was going to happen to me. It was dark outside and for many years I wouldn't drink anything after dark because it made me feel like I was smothering. After my daughter was born my doctor put me on an anti-anxiety medication which stopped the panic attacks.

She has severe panic attacks and is afraid to drive outside of the small town she lives in. She takes Xanax but she still has the panic attacks.

My son used to have them too but hasn't had any for several years.

aww sorry to hear that they suffer from it too, but thats awesome that you don't anymore! I was just wondering what medication you took to cure it?

[Lookingforalight]

Wow this sounds amazing! I can't wait for them to find out more on depression too! Its very comforting to know that there are sure biological causes and that this isn't just all "in my head" or me over reacting to things :)

[whimpy2]

This would be a huge breakthrough if it will be approved by the drug companies here in the us they put people from other countries under the microscope more which is good but can they not ask for volunteers? I do a simple blood test and watch the anxiety chat go off the wall LOL Thanks for this information

[whimpy2]

I had a t scan and mri to see my brain functions most peoples insurance will not cover it they should I found it was no tumor or other ailment but they can see my brain function is abnormal only not classified as bipolar but just abnormal.

[roro123]

Hi, this topic is really old, I wonder after these few years if this test came out and is in use now?

Any information?

[Bankiie]

Hi, this topic is really old, I wonder after these few years if this test came out and is in use now?

Any information?

i would also like to know if this test is available today, even more so in Australia.

[shineboy69]

Hi, this topic is really old, I wonder after these few years if this test came out and is in use now?

Any information?

i would also like to know if this test is available today, even more so in Australia.

i was kinda wondering that also...lol

[m1ssunderstood]

This would be great! when I first started with anxiety, I didnt even know what it was, never heard of anyone suffering it before! I went to ER told them I had been having very bad panic attacks for 7 days solid and they just agreed with me!!!! this simple test would benefit people so much! surely it should be happening soon???

[TetrisKing23]

I think it would be great also to have a simple blood test to tell whether or not someone has anxiety. I would be so much easier as I have social anxiety but have yet to be referred to a psychiatrist.

[Spatty]

I had a test done ... they told me I made to much of the stress hormone and basically diagnosed my anxiety based off of that.