I just see the term bandied about so often - even here - and it makes me wonder how many are actually aware of the extremity and definition of the event.

Marking the deliniation that differentiates an attack from another level of extreme amxiety I believe is important.

Sure it is nice that terms regarding mental health like anxiety and depression have entered the lexicon of society but without an understanding of what these things actually mean I think it almost pointless. My friend is case in point. Her equating a fleeting worried thought (I do acknowledge she was worried) with that of being convinced one's life was about to end was insulting.

The problem is that such terms have become part of the lexicon and are both over and (even by ourselves) misued. It is really important then that we ourselves make the differentiation.