| Panic attacks are not classified as a medical disease. | | | | sensations, light-headedness, extreme sweating, |
| Actually, they are known to be a behavioral condition. | | | | shortness of breath, cold and hot sensations, muscle |
| What does this mean? In most cases, the sufferer | | | | cramps in the spine and neck area, numbness in face, |
| does not have a physical illness which is causing this | | | | fingers and even the feet, queasiness, rapidly beating |
| condition. Instead, it is the sufferer's sympathetic | | | | heart, pale skin, worrying thoughts and the feeling of |
| nervous system which responds to anxiety producing | | | | going mad. |
| stimuli in a negative way. Although it may not seem like | | | | These are just a few of the symptoms the typical |
| it, there is no real threat to the body or mind. It is | | | | sufferer may experience but there is one effect which |
| however, of utmost importance to visit a doctor to | | | | is far more troublesome and damaging than any |
| ensure that the attacks being experienced are not | | | | symptom because it changes the way one lives. Once |
| symptoms of a larger, more serious, undiagnosed | | | | an individual experiences the torment of their first |
| condition such as schizophrenia, anemia or post | | | | attack, the fear of suffering from another one is born. |
| traumatic stress disorder. | | | | This fear commonly leads the sufferer to avoid the |
| An attack usually begins without warning and can last | | | | places or conditions they have associated with their |
| as little as fifteen to twenty seconds or, in extreme | | | | attacks. This low-volume of constant panic is known |
| and extended cases, as much as a number of hours. | | | | as Generalized Anxiety Disorder and it significantly |
| The American Psychological Association has declared | | | | reduces quality of life. |
| that the average length seems to be about thirty | | | | It cannot be stressed enough that, no matter how |
| minutes. Many first-time sufferers misinterpret the | | | | scary the panic attacks symptoms may appear to be, |
| symptoms and think they are suffering from a serious, | | | | real danger to the body and mind is not present. The |
| life-threatening illness such as a heart attack. | | | | first step in treating this condition is a visit to the doctor. |
| Understandably, many check themselves into the | | | | There, an important conversation will take place |
| hospital emergency room. All of this causes even | | | | regarding the potential causes, possible medications |
| more stress and anxiety which can fuel an attack | | | | and future prevention. Although prescription |
| further. | | | | medications are successfully used to treat sufferers, it |
| Since each individual is different, the symptoms | | | | is even more important to adopt new, preventive |
| experienced and the subsequent responses to them | | | | habits and drop old ones which could possibly foster |
| will be unique for everyone. Sufferers typically | | | | future attacks. Doing this will prevent pharmaceutical |
| experience the following symptoms: derealization, | | | | dependence and diminish anxiety and panic in an all |
| which is the feeling of living in a dream, blushing, choking | | | | natural way. |