There are many types of panic attacks. Those that last for less than a minute usually don’t often happen, and those that last longer tend to happen a lot more often. They are also more likely to be intense at times.
The symptoms may vary, but they tend to appear when you’re most nervous or worried about something, especially in social situations. That’s the one thing that seems to give them their edge.
Although the symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, they can be just as severe, so they’re not as often mistaken for heart disease. They can affect people of any age group. It’s not limited to those that have had panic attacks before.
Some symptoms of a panic attack include shortness of breath, sweating, hot and cold flashes, trembling, shakiness, nausea, chills, feelings of choking, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or numbness. Some people have a tight chest, while others feel very light-headed. Still, others will feel an overwhelming fear or anxiety.
These feelings may come and go without being a problem for hours, and then all of a sudden kick into high gear. When this happens, your heart starts to race, blood pressure rises, and you feel nauseous. Your throat may start to become dry or itchy, and you may experience general nausea.
The chest tightness you experience may make it hard to breathe when a panic attack is happening. You may be afraid to breathe, which can make the attack worse. Panic attacks occur when your heart rate and breathing are out of control. If you’re able to calm yourself down and get your breathing under control, your body has a chance to slow down and calm down again.
There may be some changes in your personality when a panic attack hits. Usually, it doesn’t last long, but it can be enough to trigger a lot of worry. You may worry about how your friend is feeling, or you may begin to act out in ways that aren’t socially acceptable.
If you’re having trouble dealing with a panic attack, you may find yourself avoiding it. You may ignore it, or you may try to avoid it completely. You may feel like things will never get better, so you don’t seek treatment or relief from your feelings.
Those who have been coping with panic attacks for years may be in denial. You may think that your symptoms are common and nothing to worry about. You may think that you can put it off and that you can “live with it.”
Mental health professionals may advise you to get help for these attacks. They may also suggest certain things you can do that can reduce your suffering and help you feel better.
No matter what you choose to do, if you don’t know how to control panic attacks, you may find yourself in a lot of pain. It can be very difficult to overcome. You may need help to deal with your symptoms.
