Many people who suffer from a variety of physical symptoms wonder if what they experience is really a panic attack or something else. Often, the severity of the episodes lead some to believe they are having a heart attack.
By being aware of the signs, you can prevent panic before it becomes so severe that you lose consciousness… or worse. If you experience any of these on a regular basis (or even once in a while), then you might be having a panic attack:
1. Difficulty breathing.
This is one of the most dangerous symptoms you can experience. You may feel as if you are being suffocated. You just can’t get enough air.
This may lead to hyperventilation and fainting, which if you are alone is very dangerous. This is why it is so important for you to identify the root cause of your anxiety so that you can be prepared for the next time an episode begins.
2. Chest pain.
This is the one that causes most people to confuse panic symptoms as cardiac arrest. It may present as a powerful tightness or pressure on your chest, almost like somebody is standing on top of you.
3. Rapid or pounding heartbeat.
This is usually one of the first onset signs of a panic attack. You may be calm and relaxed and then suddenly, without warning, your heart starts beating out of your chest. Your hearing may be temporarily impaired due to the sound of the beating in your ears.
4. Hot and cold flashes.
Alternating extremes of sweating and shivering may be present. The sweating can be sudden and excessive, which is why some people bring an extra set of clothing items with them wherever they go.
5. Dizziness.
You may lose your balance due to a sudden shift in your equilibrium. It may feel like the room you are in is moving, which can be a frightening feeling.
6. Trembling.
The fear of what’s happening to you can be so intense and overwhelming that you begin to shake uncontrollably. Many people who are operating any type of equipment or driving a vehicle need to shut it off or pull over until the symptoms pass.
7. Nausea.
You may feel like you’re suddenly very sick. You may vomit or not. This feeling can come and go very quickly, even multiple times in one episode.
8. Numbness or tingling.
Your fingers and toes may tingle or go numb. You may lose sensation in an entire limb. This can intensify your fear because left arm numbness is also a sign of a heart attack or stroke.
9. Lack of control of your thoughts.
This is potentially the most devastating symptom because if you are not in control of yourself, then you cannot react to the situation and get the help you need.
You may feel you are losing your mind. You may think you’re going to die. You may even experience a strong desire to run away from wherever you are.
So, now that we know these symptoms, how do we know that it’s panic and not a heart attack?
The truth is that only your doctor can tell you. If you submit to tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), he or she can usually discover any sort of heart trouble such as coronary artery disease or arrhythmia.
If you appear to be generally healthy and yet experience the above symptoms on occasion or regularly, then the answer may be panic attacks.
Just because you may get them doesn’t mean you’re crazy or even remotely unwell. They are extremely common, being a leftover fragment of the “fight or flight response” that served our caveman ancestors very well.
In today’s high anxiety world, however, many of us experience panic when there is nothing to be afraid of. It’s just a little bit of genetic wiring that hasn’t adapted to the modern work world, often characterized by hours of sitting in front of a computer screen while getting little exercise.
Once you and your doctor establish that what you experience may indeed be panic attacks, you can take several courses of action.
First, you will likely need to create a systemized and structured exercise plan. Lack of exercise is potentially the number one cause of anxiety and stress in modern daily life.
Second, you may go into therapy to learn how to control your worrisome thoughts so that when you feel a panic attack coming on, you’re prepared. Cognitive-behavioral therapy in particular has proven to be successful in helping millions overcome anxiety issues.
Third, you may consider medication. Some people do well on just a beta-blocker such as propanolol or atenolol. Others may do better on an anti-depressant. It depends on you, your symptoms, your health, your history, and what you learn from therapy.
The more you know about panic and anxiety, the better equipped you will be to handle severe episodes in the future… before they lead to real health problems.
Click here to watch a short video about the ROOT CAUSE of all anxiety.
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