Panic Attack Symptoms
Panic disorder symptoms vary from person to person although there are a few symptoms that will be common to the majority of sufferers. A panic attack is something that has been described as an incredibly strong feeling of fear or impending doom that strikes without warning. These feelings occur randomly and have even been known to occur at night whilst sleeping.
American Psychological Association studies show that symptoms of panic disorder will frequently last thirty minutes although on rare occasions an anxiety attack could be over within fifteen seconds. Those suffering from a panic disorder frequently experience physical feelings of an impending heart attack and that they are about to die. Of course to most people this seems like an over-reaction as their feelings aren’t in proportion to the actual severity of what is happening but to sufferers they cannot help how they feel and react.
The panic disorder symptoms are many and varied but they will typically consist of four (or more) of the following signs/actions:
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Fear of dying
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Fear of loss of control or of going crazy
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Profuse sweating
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Shaking/trembling
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Highly accelerated heart rate
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Shortness of breath/suffocation
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Nausea or stomach pains
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Dizziness
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Diarrhoea
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Dry mouth
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Tightness or pain in the chest
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Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
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Hot flashes or chills
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Feeling the need to escape
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Sense of confusion
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Blank mind
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Feeling as though time is going by incredibly slowly
The symptoms of a panic attack aren’t very nice and they are frequently joined by feelings of panic and terror. This will sometimes lead to a vicious circle where people start becoming scared of their next panic attack and then start living in fear. As panic attacks can attack randomly the sufferer will instantly become agitated and start thinking and acting negatively. It’s very important for those suffering from panic disorder to condition themselves to realise that the symptoms they are suffering will not cause them any harm and they will not have a heart attack for example even if they feel one is coming on.
(The highly effective Linden Method seems to work for many sufferers)
Studies have shown that men and women may experience different panic attack symptoms. Women tend to suffer more with breathing difficulties. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above in your friends or loved ones it’s important you seek professional medical diagnosis. There really is no such thing as a wasted trip to the doctors if someone is suffering with panic attack symptoms. It’s much better that someone gets treated for thinking they are about to have a heart attack as they really could be. Also on occasions when panic attacks occur with other issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression they can lead to disastrous actions such as harming oneself or even suicide. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Your doctor can refer you to treatments for anxiety which can greatly benefit you in overcoming panic attacks. Dealing with panic disorder symptoms is merely a question of adjusting your mindset so that you can start living your life instead of living in fear.
