subject: Most Common Panic Attack And Anxiety Sypmtoms Uncovered [print this page] Most Common Panic Attack And Anxiety Sypmtoms Uncovered
First off, it's not completely accurate to label the what you experience during a panic attack and anxiety as symptoms. Symptoms are defined as "sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease." Panic attacks and generalized anxiety are not caused by a disease but rather a behavioral condition that is completely treatable given the subject receives the correct information and guidance.
Anyone who has experienced a panic attack knows that there are several different "symptoms" or sensations that the body experiences during this event. The reason we experience these symptoms is because this is the body's natural way of dealing with a perceived threat. Studies have shown that there is no known significant health difference between those that experience panic attacks and anxiety and those who do not.
Basically, when your brain perceives danger, it sends a signal to a certain part of your nervous system that is responsible for protecting you, not harming you. This system is responsible for getting you ready for action in the event that there is danger. This same system is also responsible to bring you back to a normal state of being. It's the body's way of having checks and balances. See, you cannot have a panic attack forever, your body is very smart and will actually shut itself down if panic attacks go on for too long.
Once this system is kicked on you will notice your heart rate start to increase, sometimes this has a very sudden and rapid onset, giving the subject a feeling that it came out of nowhere. This occurs because your body is making sure all parts of your body are well supplied with oxygen and that all waste products are removed so you will be ready to take on any danger.
Because of this, you will begin to breath much faster increasing the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream. After only a few minutes of faster paced breathing you start to get a feeling of hyperventilation or a sense of suffocation, almost like you are trying to breathe through a straw. At this point most people will try and take over their own breathing instead of letting their body's take care of it on its own. Unfortunately this will actually further worsen the situation because you will be taking in a different amount of oxygen than what the body actually needs.
Next, your pupils will begin to dilate so they let more light in. This leads to people having blurred vision and seeing moving pinpoint dots of light. Your muscles will begin to tighten up which will lead to possible aches and pains, trembling and or shaking, all of which tricks your brain into thinking there is something really wrong with you.
See, when this system is activated your brain begins to look for any potential threats either internally or externally. If there aren't any external threats then your brain focuses inward and any sensation or change in your body gets turned into you believing there is something really wrong with you. Most anxiety and panic attack sufferers feel that these symptoms are actually signs of a heart attack, when in truth, your body is just defending itself.
