Symptoms Of Panic Attacks

In order to control and eventually overcome panic attacks, you must understand the symptoms. Knowing and understanding the symptoms is the first step toward recovery.

There are many symptoms of panic attacks and they can vary greatly from person to person.

Usually they appear suddenly, without any apparent reason. They tend to peak within first 10 minutes and usually last about half an hour. They can strike anywhere and anytime.

Panic attack symptoms are both physical and psychological in nature. Both can be very intense.

Physical Symptoms Of Panic Attacks

Physical symptoms of panic attacks can be so intense that many mistake them for a heart attack. It is very important to understand that these symptoms, no matter how scary, intense and real they are, cannot physically harm you. Always keep this in mind.

Here is a list of the most common physical panic attack symptoms:

• Pounding heart
• Chest pain
• Sweating
• Shaking and trembling
• Nausea
• Stomachache
• Tingling or numbness
• Choking sensations
• Dizziness
• Muscle tension
• Chills or hot flashes
• Dry mouth
• Tinnitus
• Visual disturbances

Psychological Symptoms Of Panic Attacks

Psychological symptoms can be equally intense and disturbing as physical. Many people, especially those who experience a panic attack for the first time, fear that they are having a nervous breakdown.

The most common psychological or emotional panic attack symptoms are:

• Paranoia
• Intense feeling of terror
• Fear of dying
• Fear of losing control
• Fear of losing consciousness
• Disturbed thoughts
• A need to escape
• Irritability
• Heightened self awareness
• Derealization (a feeling that the world is disconnected, unreal or dreamy)
• Depersonalization (a feeling of being outside your body or like you don't exist)

If you experience more than a couple of the above symptoms at the same time, you may suffer from panic attacks.

The first thing you need to understand, and this is extremely important, is that panic attacks in themselves cannot harm you. You cannot die from having a panic attack.

Secondly, you should get help and find out how to overcome this debilitating condition. One of the best guides that will show you exactly how to do that is Panic Away Program. Definitely worth a look.