Recognizing Panic Attack Symptoms

The most common panic attack symptoms are purely physical in nature. In extreme cases, the person suffering from it might feel that he is having a heart attack. Often, people would rush him to the hospital thinking it is already a dangerous medical condition.

It is important to understand that in this condition, panic causes the rise of the symptoms. Experts say that the natural human adrenalin rush causes these symptoms to manifest and the more fearful a person becomes, the more the body releases this adrenalin hormone. If we would understand these panic attack symptoms, we can better manage the onset of panic.

The manifestation of panic attack symptoms may include the following signs: palpitation or chest pain, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, headaches, backaches, trembling, and numbness or tingling in fingers or toes. It can also cause sweating, dry mouth, feeling of obstruction in the throat, which makes it difficult to swallow and dizziness, which often comes from hyperventilation. The person may also feel nausea, stomach pain or upset stomach, and hot or cold flashes.

Some of the panic attack symptoms that manifest, which may be less frequent may include negative thoughts, which may be disturbing, rapid sequencing of thoughts, unreal feelings, or detaching from surroundings, or even the feeling of dying.

These warning signs could develop suddenly and typically reach a climax within ten minutes after a panic trigger. Most panic attacks last within twenty to thirty minutes and hardly reach an hour.

While it is true that panic attacks are not life threatening, persons suffering from a panic attack need complete attention and understanding from people around them especially from family and friends. People who suffer from panic attack would normally avoid places where it would be embarrassing to have a panic episode or situations where there could be no help available for them. Usually, situations wherein they would feel inescapable danger trigger a panic attack. This could happen while driving, shopping or ironically, in rare cases, even when asleep. Their tendency to withdraw from social engagements could strain their relationships, which may make it harder for them to cope with their condition.

Panic attacks, whatever may be the cause, are treatable. In severe cases, medical intervention may be necessary but normally, people can control their attacks through the help of counseling. Psychologists can give them several strategic ways of coping with their fears and anxiety and also minimizing panic attack symptoms.