So there you are, walking down the street on a sunny day when suddenly your heart starts to pound and you begin to feel like you are in danger.
You look around to see if something is happening that would cause you to feel this way. You see nothing. Your breathing becomes shallow and you start to tremble. What is happening to you? Depending on the severity, you could be experiencing an anxiety or panic attack. In its worst form, you could be suffering from panic disorder; a very real mental condition that requires treatment.
Anxiety is something we all experience. In fact, it’s nature’s way of getting our bodies prepared for a dangerous situation. For example, if a grizzly bear came after you, your body would react instinctively. Known as the body’s fight-or-flight response, your heart rate and breathing would speed up.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some research suggests that your body’s natural fight-or-flight response to danger is involved in panic attacks. Many of the same reactions occur, but it’s not known why a panic attack happens when there’s no obvious danger present. If you have ever experienced a panic attack, you know there’s nothing much you can do to stop it from coming on. It comes on and your body’s natural responses go into motion. Your heart rate increases, blood is rushing from your head and you’re breathing fast. All of these things are happening before you can even think of anything to do about it. Small wonder that some sufferers believe they are having a heart attack or are about to die.
Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. They can strike at almost any time — when you’re driving the car, at the mall, sound asleep or in the middle of a business meeting. Panic attacks have many variations, but symptoms usually peak within 10 minutes. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides.
Panic attacks typically include a few or many of these symptoms:
• Sense of impending doom or danger.
• Fear of loss of control or death.
• Rapid heart rate, sweating.
• Trembling, shortness of breath.
• Hyperventilation.
• Chills or hot flashes.
• Nausea, abdominal cramping.
• Chest pain, headache.
• Dizziness or faintness.
• Tightness in your throat or trouble swallowing.
If you have any panic attack symptoms, seek medical help as soon as possible. Because panic attack symptoms can also resemble other serious health problems, such as a heart attack, it’s important to consult your health care provider.
