Understanding the Symptoms of Panic Attacks

Understanding the Symptoms of Panic Attacks

Panic attacks often manifest symptoms that can also be associated with other, more serious conditions such as a heart attack. This fact is notable for two reasons.

First, if it is not known for sure that a person is experiencing a panic attack, it is best that they seek medical help as soon as possible in order to rule out a more serious condition.

Second, when a person experiences a panic attack, especially their first, they will often be very concerned that they are, in fact, having a heart attack or other serious episode. This feeds the fear and anxiety that are starting to spiral out of control at that point. Many panic attack sufferers will report that they were convinced that they were going to die during their first attack (and possibly many subsequent attacks as well.)

There is no "typical" panic attack since everyone experiences something a little different than the next, but some of the most common physical symptoms are:

Rapid, pounding heartbeat.

Trembling.

Numbness or tingling in face and extremities.

Dizziness.

Tightness in chest and throat.

Heart palpitations or "skipped beats."

The most notable psychological symptom is shear terror. The very real impression that one may pass out or perhaps even drop dead due to the intensity of what they are experiencing. Disassociation is also common, a feeling sometimes described as "watching it all on T.V."

The onset of an attack is often triggered by just the faintest sensation of one of the above mentioned physical symptoms. Sometimes, its just a general feeling that something isn't right. This then begins a chain reaction that quickly develops in to a full blown attack.

The concern over the initial sensation heightens the anxiety level. This then causes the heart rate to increase. That causes the anxiety to turn to outright fear. As adrenalin is released, trembling and numbness kick in. That causes more intense fear, and so the cycle goes.

Panic attacks can be one of the most frightening experiences of a persons life, but the good news is that they are not really that dangerous in themselves. They are largely just the physical manifestation of a thought process that gets out of hand.

Even better new is that there are techniques that can greatly reduce and even eliminate panic attacks and anxiety.

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