Signs and Symptoms of Panic Attacks And How to Recognize Them
Often, understanding the signs and symptoms of panic attacks can help an individual take action so they can lessen the symptoms or eliminate them altogether. While symptoms may vary by individual, here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of panic attacks.
Chest Pains – This is the one sign / symptom of panic attacks that has more sufferers rushing to the doctor or hospital with the belief that they are having a heart attack than anything else. The best way to describe the pains is tightness in the chest, side of the chest and often extending into the back. The tightness may often bring on actual pains in the chest. Slow deep breathing is often said to decrease this tightness.
Rapid or irregular heartbeat – Because panic attacks increase the flow of adrenaline throughout the body, the heart is going to begin to beat faster and more irregular, which may put the person in more panic if they don’t know what’s happening.
Dizziness or lightheadedness – This is a very common symptom of panic attacks and may often be one of the first symptoms they experience. Often sitting down, thinking relaxing thoughts and deep breathing can help. This has much the same effect as putting your head in a paper bag.
Difficulty breathing – People that experience panic attacks often describe the feeling as one where they can’t seem to catch their breath, regardless of how hard they try. This is another symptom that can be helped with proper breathing techniques and learning to relax and think pleasant thoughts.
Numbness and tingling in the hands – The hands, if not numb, will have the feeling of being asleep.
Hot or cold flashes – These can go either way. While some experience chills where they can’t seem to get warm, others say they begin sweating profusely and can’t stop until the panic attack is over.
Terror – While we all have fears of some kind, whether we admit it or not, having the sense or feeling that something bad is going to happen and there is nothing you can do to prevent it is not considered “normal”.
Extreme nervousness or shyness – People that ordinarily aren’t shy may suddenly be afraid to speak for fear of something bad or embarrassing happening. This often happens when a person is having a panic attack prior to being in front of group of people.
In addition to these signs and symptoms of panic attacks, another symptom is the fear of having panic attacks in the future. This fear can actually make people avoid certain situations or events where they’ve previously had a panic attack. The fear can become so strong that it almost brings on a whole new panic attack.
