Signs & Symptoms of Panic Attack

According to the Mayo Clinic, a panic attack is a sudden feeling that something horrible is about to happen to you. Diagnosis of a panic attack includes a physical exam, a mental evaluation and blood tests to determine if an increase in a particular hormone is causing your anxious feelings. Treatment is done initially with medication to calm you, and then ongoing therapy can also be suggested to prevent future attacks.

Breathing and Heart Symptoms

• The initial stages of a panic attack affects your breathing. You'll be short of breath. Your heart will start to race and you might experience severe heart palpitations. You'll feel dizzy and light-headed and may even pass out.

Mental Anguish

• A panic attack is normally brought on by a fear or dread of something. You'll feel anxious and nervous, and you might develop a deep sense of doom. You might also feel as though you are about to die.

Abdominal Symptoms

• Several symptoms that originate with your abdomen or your digestive system often arise during a panic attack. You might begin to develop severe and shooting abdominal pains that do not go away. You could develop abdominal cramps, and you may even develop a feeling of nausea that could develop into vomiting.

Discomfort and Trouble Swallowing

• Other symptoms of a panic attack include the throat becoming dry and tight, and you might find it extremely difficult to swallow. Excessive sweating, the chills or hyperventilation often accompany a panic attack. You may begin to feel chest pains, and you could also begin to experience severe headaches.

Nervous Symptoms

• During a panic attack, you'll likely start shaking, and you also might not be able to find a comfortable position sitting or lying. A tingling sensation in your fingers or toes that feels as though someone is poking you with a lot of small needles sometimes accompanies panic attacks. Some parts of your body might go numb, and you may also start to forget how to do simple tasks.