Symptoms of Panic attacks That You Need to Know About

Perhaps the worst part about the symptoms of panic attacks is that they can occur without any notice. You get up in the morning feeling perfectly normal and as you are starting to get ready to face the day, suddenly an overwhelming feeling grips you – your heart seems to pound faster, your head feels lighter and the world is almost spinning around you. All this could also be accompanied by a series of negative thoughts, which just pour in to your mind from nowhere. If these symptoms seem familiar and you have indeed experienced them, you could have experienced a panic attack.

Symptoms of panic attacks can affect an individual at various levels both physically and emotionally. Unfortunately not many of us can put a name to our feelings and brand it as feeling over-stressed or even more simply – frayed nerves. The first panic attack could start with a completely stressed out feeling, which if ignored, could lead to a real panic attack later. The second common symptom could be feeling nervous and edgy for a long period of time. Again, this too could lead to a situation, where the individual completely breaks down into incessant crying or ends up in a highly irritable mood. You might also become breathless and when this happens there is no other avenues open, but to rush you to a hospital.

Below is a concise list of 4 symptoms of panic attacks which are aimed to provide you with adequate knowledge and information on coping with the condition:

• Stalked by fear: According to psychiatrists, people who are prone to panic attacks usually suffer from a condition called Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD. This condition manifests itself through a myriad of symptoms, the most common of which is when the individual is completely engulfed by the feeling of fear. This fear is not the classic phobia for anything, but the individual is enveloped with a ‘guilty feeling’ that whatever he or she does might trigger a panic attack.
• Heart beats faster: Since most panic attacks arrive unannounced, the victim constantly thinks about when the next attack is going to be. This results in the heart pounding faster to the extent that the person may suddenly become unconscious with its impact.
• Physical symptoms: Of the various symptoms of panic attacks, there are some which manifest themselves physically. These include chest pain, heavy sweating, limbs and the chest region going numb, tightening of muscles as well as repeated trembling of your hands. The individual may suddenly feel very cold or have abdominal discomfort including nausea accompanied by an upset stomach. These are some of the physical symptoms announcing the onset of a panic attack.

As is evident from the above, panic attacks can completely throw one’s life out of gear. Yet, relief from panic attacks is available. But before you try out any therapy options yourself, it is best to consult your doctor, who is the best judge to diagnose and recommend the medication which would suit you best.