Physical Symptoms Of Panic Attacks

skulldude | Mar 9, 2010 |

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A panic attack is a sudden and an overpowering surge of fear or anxiety that grips you all of a sudden without any warning. And more often than not, there is no solid reason or source of such overpowering fear. You might simply be asleep, or reading a book relaxed on your hammock, when you could be stricken with a panic attack. But, you must know the difference between true fear and panic striven anxiety. You experience true fear when there is really something of that magnitude to inculcate that sort of fear within you. But, panic attacks arise out of the blue, without any reason or factor worth enough to develop that fear and anxiety.

A panic attack is a brief phase of intense fear and anxiety which peaks up causing various physical and mental symptoms of panic attacks to arise. But, ironically, it vanishes as abruptly and suddenly as it came. Certain common physical symptoms of panic attacks include fast and intense beating of heart, breathlessness, dizziness and nausea. They sweat profusely and are visibly shaken, and often experience smothering or choking sensations. Chest pain is common in panic attack victims. A panic attack is so severe in nature, a person in the heat of the moment is engulfed with a thought that he or she is endangered and on the verge of death and there is now route for escape. A person can go crazy fearing loss of control of his mind and body. It won't be wrong to say that, at that point of time, the victim is a completely different person and becomes depersonalized, and is often not even aware of himself or the surroundings. These feelings and sensations are overwhelming for a victim.

A panic attack will normally last for about 20-30 minutes. Very rarely, will it last for more than that. Panic attacks lasting for over an hour are unheard of.

Panic attacks do not always mean that you are suffering from some bigger underlying condition or panic disorder. In times of extreme stress or anxiety, suffering from a panic attack is very natural, and is virtually harmless. After a bout of panic attack, the victim often experiences fatigue and tiredness and will complain of sore and aching muscles. The muscle tension can often lead cramps or pains anywhere in the body, but, especially does in the chest due to constriction of blood vessels and nerves. Again, all this is common and harmless.

But, it sure is a matter of concern if the panic attacks begin to recur again and again at certain intervals. This is when it could mean the existence of a bigger underlying condition like panic disorder, depression or social phobia. These conditions can be easily treated using effective treatments and strategies.

So, there is nothing to panic about panic attacks. They are either harmless or effectively treatable. But, its severity, both physical and mental, should not be underestimated. The symptoms of certain panic attacks can be severe to the point of people mistaking it for a heart attack.