| The symptoms of panic attacks are some of the | | | | to avoid certain situations for fear that an attack may |
| most troubling and frightening feelings a human being | | | | occur. For example if someone had an attack in a |
| can face. A panic attack is a distinct period of intense | | | | closed space like an elevator they may develop a fear |
| fear or discomfort that usually reaches a peak within a | | | | of elevators. In the extreme, some people who |
| few minutes. Some of the symptoms include: 1) | | | | experience panic attacks will not even leave their |
| Pounding heart or accelerated heart rate, 2) Sweating, | | | | home. This is called agoraphobia.Treating the |
| trembling, or shaking, 3) Feelings of choking, chest pain, | | | | symptoms of panic attacks in the medical model is |
| or discomfort, 4) Nausea or abdominal distress, 5) | | | | generally a three pronged approach. First is education, |
| Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, 6) Feelings of | | | | second is therapy, and third is medication. Educating |
| unreality of being detached from oneself. 7) Fear of | | | | the suffer that some how their fight-or-flight response |
| losing control or going crazy, 8) Fear of dying, 9) | | | | to danger is getting triggered in non threatening |
| Numbness or tingling sensations, 10) Chills or hot | | | | situations usually helps put their mind to ease. Letting |
| flashes.Not all of the above symptoms of panic | | | | them know that the attack is short lived and will not |
| attacks are present in each individual attack. Usually at | | | | harm them also seems to help. Second, short-term |
| least four are necessary to be considered a true panic | | | | therapy that focuses on relaxation and imagery |
| attack. A panic attack can occur suddenly, without | | | | techniques that can be used during an attack may also |
| warning causing anxiety between attacks that another | | | | be helpful. Learning to know what sensations bring on |
| attack will occur at any time. When someone is having | | | | the fight-or-flight response can help a sufferer calm |
| a panic attack they usually have a pounding heart. | | | | down before they have a full-blown attack. Also |
| There may be chest pain and some people actually | | | | dealing with the person's fears about having another |
| think they are having a heart attack. They may feel | | | | attack can also lessen the anxiety about panic attacks. |
| sweaty, weak, faint or dizzy. There may be | | | | Finally, if all else fails there is medication that can be |
| tremendous fear that they losing control of their mind | | | | prescribed that can help with the symptoms of panic |
| (going crazy) or that they are going to die. They also | | | | attacks. Many times a sufferer will be prescribed |
| can have feelings of unreality or of being detached | | | | medication and only take it when they feel like they |
| from themselves. Usually attacks only last a few | | | | may have an attack. Soon, just knowing there is |
| minutes; however, the fear associated with the | | | | something at hand that can bring them down from an |
| symptoms of panic attacks can be so profound that it | | | | attack allows them to be comfortable without taking |
| may feel like the length of an attack is an eternity.Not | | | | the medication at all.As frightening as a panic attack is |
| everyone who has a panic attack will go on to have | | | | for the sufferer, the symptoms of panic attacks |
| more attacks. If they do then they may be diagnosed | | | | respond well to education and even self-help. Often a |
| with Panic Disorder. Panic Disorder is estimated to | | | | person doesn't need therapy. Rarely does a person |
| affect 3 to 6 million Americans and is twice as | | | | have to take medication full time, if at all. This should be |
| common in women as in men. If a person is diagnosed | | | | encouraging news to those of you who wondering |
| with Panic Disorder it is important that they receive | | | | "Why Me?" There is help and the prognosis is very |
| treatment as the condition can become very disabling. | | | | good. Find what works for you.Anthony Pace is the |
| The symptoms of panic attacks can cause a person | | | | author of this article. |