Panic Attacks Symptoms
Panic attacks symptoms will not be the same for every person and are not always easy to diagnose until after an attack has occurred. A panic attack can occur suddenly and with little notice. Sufferers can quickly feel a very high level of anxiety which makes the problem somewhat self-perpetuating. The symptoms are often so intense that people feel like they are having a heart attack and may even die. Death, or even any permanent physical damage, is very unlikely from a panic attack but it shows how full-on the experience can be at the time.
There does not always need to be a clear or obvious reason for the sudden onset of panic attacks symptoms. Everyone is likely to have a slightly different experience but it is common for people to suffer from some of the following:
- Pain in the chest region
- Heart that feels like it is racing or pounding
- Intense feeling of fear and loss of control
- Shortness of breath or related chest problems
- Tingling or numbness (particularly in the hands)
- Chills or hot flashes
- General feeling of being in a dream state
One of the biggest problems for people that have had a panic attack is that they are then scared of having another one. It is certainly likely that someone who has suffered an episode is likely to have another one at some time. This fear alone is enough to help create a situation where another attack could occur. It can also lead to people being worried about certain situations or specific locations and making sure that they avoid them at all costs.
Unlike other forms of anxiety, panic attacks can occur very quickly and unpredictably. On most occasions it will even seem like there is no real reason or cause that started them. After suffering an initial episode, sufferers will often find that the problems are really a symptom of an anxiety disorder. This can certainly apply once episodes start to reoccur. Treatment is required to ensure that a person is not completely disabled by the disorder. This is a serious medical condition and needs to be treated accordingly. Keep in mind that nearly 2% of adult Americans are likely to suffer some type of panic attack issue at some stage of their life. So you are certainly not alone.
Unfortunately, some people also suffer from a problem normally referred to as sleep or nocturnal panic attacks. Obviously this condition relates to people suffering an episode during the night or, more particularly, whilst asleep. People can sometimes find themselves suddenly awake and in a panicked state for no obvious reason. These types of attacks don’t normally last as long as other types of panic attacks although it still brings with it the same trauma and distress.
Suffering a panic attack is a very stressful and difficult time. It is often made worse by not understanding what has happened and how it happened. Initial reactions are often based around fear of heart problems since the symptoms seem so similar at the time. People will exhibit slightly different symptoms or have different responses after they have suffered an attack. However, the base emotion always comes back to fear. Fear of the unknown and fear of suffering another attack. Acknowledge the problem and then move forward with trying to address it.
