Discover The Symptoms of Panic Attacks- Is It A Panic Attack Or Heart Attack?
Kerrie had a panic attack during a work meeting. She suddenly felt dizzy, started sweating, and felt a strange surge running through her head which made her think she was having a stroke. Her head felt heavy and her limbs tingled so she had to actually lie down. She is still embarrassed about the incident.
Millions of people worldwide suffer the awful symptoms of panic attacks. Panic attacks are classified as sudden intense episodes of severe physical, emotional and mental panic or terror, usually focused around an irrational fear. Although many panic attacks can last for over half an hour, some unpleasant symptoms can last longer.
Today, more than at any other time in history, being anxious, tense or nervous is part of the world we live in. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are suffering from panic attacks today.
Some symptoms of panic attacks-
The symptoms of a panic attack may include heart palpitations, feeling sick, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, tingling or numbness in the fingers, face, or toes, stomach aches, and headaches. There may also be symptoms such as the fear that you are losing your mind, and feeling disassociated with your surroundings, as if you are viewing a movie.
Because such a large proportion of today’s population suffer from panic attacks and anxiety that doctors and researchers are constantly looking for new treatments every day. There are several current treatments that are available for panic attacks and anxiety disorders, ranging from medication to reduce anxiety, cognitive behavioural therapy which focuses on coping techniques and exposure therapy. There are also alternative treatments such as hypnosis, meditation and relaxation techniques.
Sadly, some people have taken medication to help with their anxiety only to discover that the unpleasant side effects they experienced were actually worse than the panic attacks themselves. Other therapies involve teaching the suffer “coping strategies’, which involve dealing with a panic attack once it actually starts.