Signs Of Panic Attack - Can You Spot Them?

It is important to note that not everyone who suffers from anxiety and panic disorder has the same experience. There are several symptoms and signs of panic attack but an individual might report having just a couple from a long list.

That is not to say that the experience of the actual panic attack itself is any less frightening. Some symptoms can be quite obscure but if you notice something in particular when in a state of anxiety and panic, then that is a symptom of panic attacks for you.

For A Natural Way Of Treating Panic Attacks - Natural Cures Are Best

There are four common symptoms that when experienced combined, can lead an individual to believe they are undergoing a heart attack. These are

* Palpitations
* Sweating
* Shortness of breath
* Fear you are dying

If you are prone to panic attacks, then the chances are that your experience is a panic attack and not a heart attack but unfortunately you cannot be 100% sure. It is always best to seek medical attention immediately to ensure you are not in any serious danger.

While it is reassuring to find that your heart is fine, you might not get satisfactory answers to your questions about panic attacks and what can trigger an attack.

Panic Attacks Triggers - Is there something you can do to avoid having an attack?

Some of the more common signs of panic attack include -

A fear that you might stop breathing. Your breathe becomes shallow and as you imagine that there is not enough air to fill your lungs, you begin to gasp for breath. It can actually feel like you are smothering.

Fast beating heart, pounding heartbeat or palpitations. We are all aware of our hearts beating occassionally but when the sound of our heart beating interupts our thoughts, it becomes abnormal and is one of the classic signs of panic attack.

Sweating - one minute everything is normal, next thing you might find yourself sweating profusely or it could be just your palms become hot and sweaty. Hot or cold sweats are also common.

Chest pain or general discomfort in the chest area including a kind of tight feeling in the chest.

Feeling you are about to be sick, a bloated feeling or abdominal discomfort.

Trembling muscles or shaking uncontrollably whether visible or just a feeling that you are shaking all over.

An urgent need to go to the toilet.

Numbness or tingling sensations, also known as paresthesias, usually in the extremities but can also be in the face or body.

Feeling light-headed or faint.

A lump in your throat or a sensation of choking.

An overwhelming feeling of terror or impending doom. Feeling that you are about to die.

Scared you are going mad or losing your grip on reality.

A sense of unreality, that you are just looking on at what is happening and that it is not really you.

Read More About The Symptoms Of Anxiety And Panic Attacks Here

Once you learn about the signs of panic attack and understand that that is exactly what they are - signs or signals, then it can help to reduce the fear you might have built up around panic attacks.

The symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks will not cause you any harm, they are really a sign that your in-built protective mechanism is kicking in. This is also known as the "fight or flight" response and is what happens when we are faced with danger. Our bodies spring into action all in a matter of seconds preparing us to stay and fight the threat or if the danger is too great, enabling us to run away.

Having this mechanism helps to keep us safe and it should really only kick in when we are facing danger. Where anxiety and panic attacks are concerned, it is kind of like our anxiety "switch" has gotten stuck in the "on" position and our bodies consistently think we are under threat.

The result of this is that we are constantly in a state of high alert and at a much higher risk of having a panic attack.

Find Out How To Turn Your Anxiety Switch "Off"