Derealization is a feeling of unreality or altered reality, to which panic attack patients are subject. According to the American Psychological Association, "Derealization is an alteration in the perception or experience of the external world so that it seems strange or unreal. Other symptoms include feeling as though one's environment is lacking in spontaneity, emotional colouring and depth."

Depersonalization and Derealization, two normal symptoms of anxiety disorder, are both 'Dissociative disorders' and sufferers of one can experience the other. Although very disturbing at times, they are completely harmless, and just parts of anxiety symptoms.

Many people who experience panic attacks and anxiety attacks become distressed by derealization and feel they may be losing their mind. Sometimes people feel they are in dream or in another dimension, while they also have the feeling that what is happening is not real.

This sensation is quite distressing as it often leads to the individual believing that some permanent damage has been done to their brain, causing these sensations. Panic attack patients are especially frightened of derealization because he is trying to hold on to reality as strongly as possible and it seems to be excaping from him.

Some rearchers think derealization is caused by delayed perception. While under constant stress or anxiety there is a build up of stress chemicals in your system that causes a delayed response in the transmission of information between neurotransmitter sites in your body. It can also be caused by vestibular disorders, symptom of severe sleep disorders, or other mental disorders.

Most panic attack patients are extremely fearful of losing contact with reality. Fear itself can cause the body to secrete chemicals that make a person feel spaced out ot unreal. The quickest way out of this disconnected feeling is to adopt an attitude that all is well, and accept it for the time being and have faith that it will pass shortly.