Symptoms of a Panic Attack
The symptoms of a panic attack are very wide and varied but almost without question the one thing that many people find daunting about them is the speed at which they appear.
In practically every single case, in which someone suffers a panic attack, they are feeling extremely anxious about something.
And those feelings are exacerbated because many times the symptoms of these attacks mimic quite severe health conditions - the most commonly mentioned one being those of a heart attack.
It is not uncommon for people undergoing an attack to think that they are actually dying.
Also while men and women don't typically die from these attacks, the symptoms are nonetheless very serious.
Unless you've suffered a panic attack it can be difficult to understand exactly how terrifying they can be.
Just visualize being overcome by deep dread or fear so intense it like it's inside your body.
You are able to feel your heart pounding and racing, your chest hurts, you cannot breathe properly.
You're feeling nauseous, giddy, and lightheaded at the same time.
You switch from being too hot or too cold in an instant but when you try to sense whether you are or not, you can't simply because your hands are prickling in your fingers are numb.
Even whilst this is running on, your mind seems to be playing jokes on you - it seems like one moment you're in a dream and the next second you're in a nightmare looking for the chance to escape -- but just how do you break free from yourself? Not only are you feeling fearful of your physical well-being but you're also terrified of losing control -- and maybe even dying.
And lastly in the lucid moments in between all of these things taking place you've got the fear of doing something embarrassing before the people around you.
Annoyingly, lots of people think that once you've had one attack, then that's the end of it.
That's actually quite far from the truth because between attacks most panic attack sufferers are haunted by the concern of having another one.
The thing is, that after they've had an attack in one place there is a inclination for sufferers to unconsciously blame the place for the attack so these people will start to avoid particular places and certain circumstances if an attack has occurred in such a place or circumstance previously.
It's not unknown for someone who is suffering from a panic disorder to develop a fear about this type of situation.
Why panic attacks vary from other types of anxiety is down to the fact that they occur so abruptly without obvious provocation..
One could possibly be tempted to say that they are unexpected nevertheless, when you take into account many panic sufferers spend time wondering when the next one will happen -- that in fact may not be true.
What is true however, is that most people who have had one panic attack are most likely to have another one.
For many individuals the panic attacks are not the real problem as they are more of an outward display at the extreme end of a whole range of symptoms indicating an underlying anxiety disorder.
At this point you may understand that a panic disorder has especially serious impact on the individual's lifestyle - that is unless that person gets proper treatment.
Worldwide panic disorders are a serious health problem.
As an example, approximately 2% (3 million) American adults suffer from it at some point in their lives.
We are at our most susceptible when we in our late teens -- more specifically between the ages of 18 and 19 years.
Obviously, statistics like this can be reflected in most western countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and more.
It's also possible to have an attack while you sleep..
These are referred to as "nocturnal panic attacks" and thankfully occur far less often than those during the day.
That said, approximately about 55% of daytime panic attack sufferers will additionally suffer from nocturnal panic attacks.
They may also bring with them the whole set of other symptoms such as the heart palpitations and more.
One good point is that nocturnal panic attacks are typically shorter than daytime ones lasting only about 10 minutes.
Even so, due to the time it takes to calm down afterwards and return to sleep - a lot more time can be lost.
It is obvious, that nocturnal panic attacks will increasingly affect the quality and quantity of rest a sufferer gets, this can only affect the quality of their daily life detrimentally.
And also the continuing fatigue will mean that she is even more susceptible to becoming worried and anxious therefore increasing the chances of another panic attack.
In all events, bear in mind that the physical, mental and emotional signs of an attack are simply that - just symptoms.
Way to many people make the mistake of wanting to treat the symptoms instead of addressing the underlying reason behind the problem.
Health providers having limited experience will often employ drugs to try and deal with these outward problems, which as you can imagine can be like trying to put a sticking plaster on a broken leg.
More proficient health professionals, while dealing with the more intrusive symptoms, will also want to home in on the cause of the underlying reason for the anxiety that may be causing the problem.
And this clearly is the most successful route to follow in getting treatment.
In practically every single case, in which someone suffers a panic attack, they are feeling extremely anxious about something.
And those feelings are exacerbated because many times the symptoms of these attacks mimic quite severe health conditions - the most commonly mentioned one being those of a heart attack.
It is not uncommon for people undergoing an attack to think that they are actually dying.
Also while men and women don't typically die from these attacks, the symptoms are nonetheless very serious.
Unless you've suffered a panic attack it can be difficult to understand exactly how terrifying they can be.
Just visualize being overcome by deep dread or fear so intense it like it's inside your body.
You are able to feel your heart pounding and racing, your chest hurts, you cannot breathe properly.
You're feeling nauseous, giddy, and lightheaded at the same time.
You switch from being too hot or too cold in an instant but when you try to sense whether you are or not, you can't simply because your hands are prickling in your fingers are numb.
Even whilst this is running on, your mind seems to be playing jokes on you - it seems like one moment you're in a dream and the next second you're in a nightmare looking for the chance to escape -- but just how do you break free from yourself? Not only are you feeling fearful of your physical well-being but you're also terrified of losing control -- and maybe even dying.
And lastly in the lucid moments in between all of these things taking place you've got the fear of doing something embarrassing before the people around you.
Annoyingly, lots of people think that once you've had one attack, then that's the end of it.
That's actually quite far from the truth because between attacks most panic attack sufferers are haunted by the concern of having another one.
The thing is, that after they've had an attack in one place there is a inclination for sufferers to unconsciously blame the place for the attack so these people will start to avoid particular places and certain circumstances if an attack has occurred in such a place or circumstance previously.
It's not unknown for someone who is suffering from a panic disorder to develop a fear about this type of situation.
Why panic attacks vary from other types of anxiety is down to the fact that they occur so abruptly without obvious provocation..
One could possibly be tempted to say that they are unexpected nevertheless, when you take into account many panic sufferers spend time wondering when the next one will happen -- that in fact may not be true.
What is true however, is that most people who have had one panic attack are most likely to have another one.
For many individuals the panic attacks are not the real problem as they are more of an outward display at the extreme end of a whole range of symptoms indicating an underlying anxiety disorder.
At this point you may understand that a panic disorder has especially serious impact on the individual's lifestyle - that is unless that person gets proper treatment.
Worldwide panic disorders are a serious health problem.
As an example, approximately 2% (3 million) American adults suffer from it at some point in their lives.
We are at our most susceptible when we in our late teens -- more specifically between the ages of 18 and 19 years.
Obviously, statistics like this can be reflected in most western countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and more.
It's also possible to have an attack while you sleep..
These are referred to as "nocturnal panic attacks" and thankfully occur far less often than those during the day.
That said, approximately about 55% of daytime panic attack sufferers will additionally suffer from nocturnal panic attacks.
They may also bring with them the whole set of other symptoms such as the heart palpitations and more.
One good point is that nocturnal panic attacks are typically shorter than daytime ones lasting only about 10 minutes.
Even so, due to the time it takes to calm down afterwards and return to sleep - a lot more time can be lost.
It is obvious, that nocturnal panic attacks will increasingly affect the quality and quantity of rest a sufferer gets, this can only affect the quality of their daily life detrimentally.
And also the continuing fatigue will mean that she is even more susceptible to becoming worried and anxious therefore increasing the chances of another panic attack.
In all events, bear in mind that the physical, mental and emotional signs of an attack are simply that - just symptoms.
Way to many people make the mistake of wanting to treat the symptoms instead of addressing the underlying reason behind the problem.
Health providers having limited experience will often employ drugs to try and deal with these outward problems, which as you can imagine can be like trying to put a sticking plaster on a broken leg.
More proficient health professionals, while dealing with the more intrusive symptoms, will also want to home in on the cause of the underlying reason for the anxiety that may be causing the problem.
And this clearly is the most successful route to follow in getting treatment.
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