Symptoms of Panic Attack
Panic attacks are defined as sudden intense episodes of extreme physical, emotional and mental panic or terror, usually focused around an abnormal fear. Panic attacks are usually brief, and may last less than ten minutes, although some of the symptoms may persist for a longer time. Despite their frightening nature, sufferers need to be reassured that panic attacks themselves do not lead to heart attacks, loss of control, mental illness or death.
Mary was so afraid. Every time she started to go out, she would get that awful feeling in the pit of her stomach and she became terrified that another panic attack was coming or that some other, unknown terrible thing was going to happen. Her doctor had prescribed her medication, but that left her feeling dizzy and spaced out, almost as bad as the attacks felt.
Panic attacks are very widespread, in the US as well as all over the globe. Only in the US it is the most common mental illness in the U.S. with 19.1 million (13.3%) of the adult U.S. population (ages 18-54) affected.
What are the physical symptoms of a panic attack?
Some of the symptoms that you may experience when having a panic attack include:
Chest pain
Fainting
Choking
Sweating
Shaking or trembling
Stomach pain, often accompanied by nausea
In addition to the physical symptoms, other effects might be feeling detached from the world and a feeling of light headedness.
Doctors and researchers are constantly looking for new treatments every day simply because such a large percentage of the population suffers from panic attacks and anxiety.
The current treatments that are available for panic attacks and anxiety disorders range from anti-depressants, to cognitive behavior therapy, herbal remedies and alternative treatments such as hypnosis.
Unfortunately, many people are prescribed medications that have little effect or unpleasant side effects, and they can spend endless hours in therapy with little to show for it. They still suffer from panic attacks and anxiety. John Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/symptoms-of-panic-attack-697916.html
One Response to “Symptoms of Panic Attack”
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November 28th, 2009 12:20 am
What are some symptoms of a panic attack?
I think I may have had a panic attack the day before yesterday. While in the shower, I became short of breath, felt as if I would pass out, and my heart was pounding. After getting out of the shower, drying, and dressing, I sat for a while (about 20 minutes) until the symptoms went away. Deep breathing helped.
Do you think I may have had a panic attack?