Whenever a panic attack sets in, you may not be able to tell if it is a serious predicament or not at first. That is why it is imperative that you understand and are able to identify panic attack symptoms to avoid amping up anxiety levels at that point in time.
A panic attack usually lasts about 10 minutes, sometimes a little longer, but it can seem like an eternity. At the start, you may recognize that you have difficulty in breathing. You may start taking short, quick breaths or feel like you can’t catch your breath.
Many people report feeling an accelerated heartbeat. This pounding could be a scary experience, and there are some who believe that pounding paired with chest pain is an indication of a heart attack; however, this is just the onset of anxiety.
Other typical symptoms of a panic attack are shaking and trembling. When you’re suffering from anxiety you can feel fearful – and feelings of terror paired with intense sweating are more symptoms for panic attacks. When your body is in this state, you may experience uncontrollable shaking. This is part of what makes having a panic attack so embarrassing when you’re out in public.
Meanwhile, other people have different symptoms when they get panic attacks, such as chills and hot flashes. Your body may not react in either way – everyone is different when it comes to how they handle anxiety.
These physical panic attack indicators endure through the episode where you might feel dizzy and like you will pass out. Taking a seat and breathing deeply during a panic attack is crucial in avoiding the risk of passing out and hurting yourself.
Nausea often accompanies anxiety attacks. You may have intense stomach cramps or get the sense that you’re going to vomit. Once the episode is over, the feeling subsides and the pains go away.
An additional frightening symptom of a panic attack is the feeling that you are choking on something. Some people describe it as not being able to swallow or breathe. Some people describe it as someone placing a pillow on top of their face to suffocate them.
Of course, feelings as intense as these can lead you to think that you might die; indeed, many people who have panic attacks believe that they will die during a panic attack. There are some who understand they will live, but they continue to panic since they feel they have no control over the situation.
The last common panic attack symptom is a tingling in the fingers or toes. This is what makes some people fear it’s a heart attack, when it’s not. If you’re having a panic attack and your fingers and toes begin to go numb, just wait until the episode subsides.
Panic disorder is a widespread problem. If you’re looking for information on dealing with panic attacks, visit Get Help for Panic Attacks for the facts you need.