Panic Attack Symptoms
There are a very wide variety of symptoms associated with panic attacks and individuals experiencing panic attacks may have different indicators and symptoms, but the following are commonly experienced by panic attack sufferers:
- Chest pain, tightness or cramps (often a trigger)
This is usually a feeling of tightness in the thoracic (chest) area or uncomfortable pressure or cramps near your heart. Coupled with “pins and needles” in your left arm, along with palpitations, panic attacks often create the impression that a person is having a heart attack.
- Palpitations
Palpitations, described as irregular, pounding, galloping or rapid heartbeats, may also be felt during a panic attack.
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness/Vertigo
Dizziness is often a light-headed and unsteady feeling, while vertigo is a feeling that you or your environment is spinning in circles (often experienced by people with an aversion to heights). This usually happens when blood or oxygen doesn’t adequately reach the brain.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or face
- Chills and hot flashes/sweating
- Abdominal cramps
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath or feelings of choking
- Tunnel vision
- Nausea
- A feeling of unreality
- Dyspnoea (or Dyspnea)
Dyspnoea is defined as shortness of breath. During a panic attack, an individual may experience a feeling of suffocation, or difficulty breathing. This feeling eventually manifests as other physical symptoms – rapid and shallow breathing (similar to hyperventilation), and the use of accessory muscles (like the neck muscles) to breathe.
- A strong sense or feeling of dying
Occasionally, sufferers of panic attacks also feel a sense of ‘impending doom’ or a strong sense of dying and feelings of unreality and detachment.
While these symptoms may seem severe, they are in most cases harmless. Since panic attack symptoms often mimic that of life-threatening conditions however, it is important to seek proper medical attention to rule out more serious afflictions.
Panic Attack Treatment
Panic Attack Causes
Panic Attacks & Panic Disorders (General)
References:
Med.UPENN.edu – CTSA: Panic Disorder: Symptoms