Panic attacks can affect any person, at any time, for any reason – or even for no apparent reason. Those who have experienced them describe them as being the most horrifying and disturbing events of their lives. The symptoms of a panic attack can manifest themselves in a number of different ways. It helps to understand these panic symptoms, so that you can know if you are suffering from a panic attack and seek the appropriate help before it gets out of hand.
The one symptom that is common in all panic attacks is pure fear and general discomfort. People suffering from an attack may not be able to label any one thing as the source of this fear, which can make the whole experience even more harrowing. In some people, a panic attack is triggered by exposure to a phobia or comes from other related conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or post traumatic stress disorder. However, many things can cause a panic attack, including genes, medications, or extreme stress situations.
Once a panic attack is triggered, a number of panic symptoms can occur. Common symptoms include a pounding heartbeat, sweating, shaking, feelings of asphyxiation or choking, chest pain, nausea, dizziness or fainting, feelings of personal detachment, numbness and hot or cold flushes. People also develop a sudden fear of dying or going insane. If you have experience some of those symptoms, you may have had a panic attack, and you should seek help, as they can reoccur.
