Panic Attacks - Information, Resources and Help

What's a Panic Attack Panic Disorder is a serious condition that around one out of every 75 people might experience. It usually appears during the teens or early adulthood, and while the exact causes are unclear, there does seem to be a connection with major life transitions that are potentially stressful: graduating from college, getting married, having a first child, and so on. There is also some evidence for a genetic predisposition; if a family member has suffered from panic disorder, you have an increased risk of suffering from it yourself.

SYMPTOMS OF PANIC ATTACK

Most, if not all, people have experienced a few episodes of panic attack in their lifetimes. When in a very stressful situation, your "fight or flight" response is triggered. When there is real danger, the response is normal. Instinct kicks in to help you survive the threat. But if a person is suffering from a panic disorder, then that person will have panic attacks even in ordinary situations. The person feels in danger even if there is no real danger. It is only perceived, it's not real.

Although it is only perceived, to the sufferer it feels real. "So how do I know if I am having a panic attack? Read on to find out.

Typical symptoms of panic attack:

Panic Attack Symptom 1. Overwhelming sense of dread or impending doom. Feel like something horrible is about to happen.

Panic Attack Symptom 2. Racing thoughts. You mind is on overdrive.

Panic Attack Symptom 3. Derealization. Distorted sense of reality.

Panic Attack Symptom 4. Depersonalization. You feel disconnected from your body. Like you are in a dream.

Panic Attack Symptom 5. Distorted sense of time. Either you feel time is accelerating or decelerating

Panic Attack Symptom 6. Nausea. Feel like vomiting or throwing up.

Panic Attack Symptom 7. Dizziness or vertigo. You feel lightheaded and unstable.

Panic Attack Symptom 8. Heart palpitations. Increased heart rate (Tachycardia).

Panic Attack Symptom 9. Chest pain or tightness. Feel like having a heart attack.

Panic Attack Symptom 10. Profuse sweating. More than usual.

Panic Attack Symptom 11. Uncontrollable trembling or shaking. Panic Attack Symptom 12. Tenseness. You feel twitchy or jumpy. Panic Attack Symptom 13. Hyperventilation or rapid breathing. Panic Attack Symptom 14. Shortness of breath. Difficulty in breathing.

Panic Attack Symptom 15. Choking sensation. Difficulty in swallowing.

Panic Attack Symptom 16. Heightened awareness or senses. Paranoia.

Panic Attack Symptom 17. Tunnel vision. Loss of peripheral or side vision.

Panic Attack Symptom 18. Lose self-control. Feel like you are going insane.

Panic Attack Symptom 19. Feelings of powerlessness or helplessness.

Panic Attack Symptom 20. Feel like you are going to die.

Panic Attack Symptom 21. Numbness of limbs. Loss of sensation.

Panic Attack Symptom 22. Tingling sensation of the arms, hands, fingertips, feet, and/or face.

Panic Attack Symptom 23. Chills. Shivering sensation. You feel cold even if it's not.

Panic Attack Symptom 24. Hot flashes. Feeling intense warmth.

Panic Attack Symptom 25. Diarrhea or stomach cramps.

Panic Attack Symptom 26. Weakness or exhaustion.

Panic Attack Symptom 27. Muscle aches and pains.

The intensity and the number of the symptoms vary from person to person. Since these symptoms really taxes the body, it can't last more than 15 minutes. The sufferer feels anxious for days after the attack, anxious to have another panic attack anytime, anywhere.

When the person realizes, through family and friends, that the attacks are caused by having a panic disorder, that there is no real danger, the person may feel embarrassed. Especially when the panic attack happens in public. For that reason, many sufferers refrain from going out of their houses.