How to Identify a Panic Attack Symptom

How To Identify A Panic Attack Symptom

If you suffer periods of elevated anxiety you may be experiencing a panic attack. What does a panic attack symptom look like? Imagine having a moment where you suddenly feel so terrified that you are certain that you will die. Add to that an increased heart rate – your heart may feel like it will explode out of your chest, hot flashes or cold chills, feeling like you are choking or cannot get enough air and you feel dizzy. Such an episode may leave you drained and exhausted and the worst part of it is that you may suffer several of these episodes, one after the other, for extended periods of time.

You may wonder what is happening to you. You probably realize that the fear you experienced during the attack is not real, but this is the key panic attack symptom. The problem is that many people suffer in silence. Others may have underlying conditions that have been overlooked, such as depression. If the underlying conditions go untreated, they can evolve into a full-blown disorder and eventually serious phobias.

Panic attack disorder symptoms can be present all of the time in a person or they may only be present when a person is faced with a certain situation, place, experience or even another person. It is common for these symptoms fluctuate – if a person is under stress or feeling low or depressed, their symptoms may be magnified.

If untreated, attacks can lead to a significant interference in the quality of a person’s life. It may affect their work, relationships, school. Sometimes people are unaware that they have a problem or a disorder. It is important to recognize the signs of this anxiety disorder and to seek treatment. Treatment can involve medications, counseling, support groups, self-help methods, natural remedies and psychotherapy or any combination of these. It is common for people who suffer with a panic disorder to go years without a proper diagnosis. This may be due to the fact that a person with an extreme case of this disorder may be afraid to leave their home and travel to an appointment.

Anxiety and depression are normal emotional states that can have a wide array of negative body reactions, thoughts and behaviors. Sometimes they symptoms of anxiety and depression overlap and cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating and changes in appetite. There are also important differences. The main indicators of depression are sadness, emptiness and a lack of motivation as well as not finding any pleasure in everyday activities. Anxiety on the other hand is excessive fear and avoidance of situations that trigger attacks.

Many people experience dread about certain situations in their life – attending a funeral, going to a job interview, visiting someone they do not want to see, but it is when these situations bring on a high anxiety situation that a panic attack symptom can occur. Everyone deals with a certain amount of anxiety in every day life, but repeated attacks are a mental disorder and should not be ignored or left untreated. Do not be afraid to ask for help – many of us have walked in your shoes and have found help and support!