What Are the Symptoms of a Panic Attack and How Do You Control Them?
By: John Cielo
Submitted: 2010-05-31 06:47:14 | Word Count: 669
There are many symptoms associated with a panic attack. And different sufferers will experience different ones. Here, you'll find what the symptoms of a panic attack are, plus, 3 simple ways to help control your attack.
Typical symptoms are; trembling, hot and cold flashes, tightness across the chest or throat, tingling in the extremities, racing heart, irregular shallow breathing, lightheaded, dizziness, choking sensation, a feeling of detachment from reality, a fear of impending doom, etc.
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Now, as you can see, many of these symptoms could be signs of other conditions or problems such as heart attack, etc. It is a horrible, terrifying experience, I know. So at the first sign of any of these always get professional medical help to be on the safe side.
But just how do panic attacks actually happen? Unbelievable as it may seem, the symptoms of a panic attack are actually the result of, what is termed, your body's 'fight or flight' response. This is a natural in-built response to a perceived threat to itself. It goes way back in the mists of time where it was used to help our ancestors to either fight or run away from danger.
During this very rapid response, chemicals are released in the brain that makes significant changes to how your mind and body works. For example your vision and hearing are enhanced and your muscles are primed for strength and speed. It is these rapid physical and mental changes that give rise to the symptoms you experience during a panic attack.
You can help control panic (anxiety) attacks through the use of drugs, but more and more sufferers are turning to natural remedies because of their bad side effects which include dependency issues. And, there is a body of opinion that many anti-anxiety drugs (e.g. antidepressants) don't work all that well in any case.
So here are 3 ways to help control your panic attacks:-
1 - Always remember that a panic attack is just the result of an irrational fear that cannot do you any harm, and, it will pass. How quickly depends on your positive attitude during the attack, but particularly at its onset.
2 - At the sign of the first symptoms, prepare to meet the attack head-on by reciting in your mind that you recognize the signs and that you know that they cannot harm you. Some people have even said that by trying to bring it on themselves they seem to be able to reduce its effects dramatically.
3 - During an attack your oxygen and carbon dioxide ratio is out balance. The quicker you can sort this the better. You can do this by controlling your breathing by breathing slowly and rhythmically; not shallow and not too deeply. A very effective way to re-balance oxygen and carbon dioxide is to breath into and out of a paper bag that covers your nose and mouth.
Now, whilst these can be very effective during an actual panic attack, your real objective needs to be to prevent panic attacks from recurring and getting worse each time. And you do this by getting rid of your conscious or subconscious fear of having an attack.
Your very fear of an attack is a very powerful element in actually triggering one. This is because your fear adds to your already high general anxiety so much that it it can trigger your body's fight or flight response, resulting in you having a panic attack. You need to breakout of this cycle of anxiety, fear and anxiety attack in order to eliminate your panic attacks for good.
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