What are the main symptoms of panic attacks?
313 Answers
Moderated by Maria Wasielewski, Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance, University of Arizona
Updated: Jul 19, 2023
Anonymous
on
Apr 4, 2019
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Not every person may experience the same symptoms of panic attacks straight away as we are all individuals however the most common symptoms of panic attacks are Racing" heart.
Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy.
Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers.
Sense of terror, or impending doom or death.
Feeling sweaty or having chills.
Chest pains.
Breathing difficulties
If these symptoms get worse it's important you go to a doctor or emergency to get checked out
I suffer with panic disorder and I find breathing techniques help me a lot but obviously everyone's different, some therapies may help or medication but depends on the individual
Anonymous
on
May 9, 2019
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Panic attacks can vary in symptoms for each individual. However, they typically are paired with anxiety, or a feeling of impending failure. Similarly, one's breathing will shorten and create a feeling of choking or suffocation. In my personal experience, I have become incredibly nauseous and sweaty, and in rare cases, have even thrown up from stress. This is also normally paired with an increases heart rate and some form of shaking. People also report a lack of control and detachment from the world around them, in a sort of out of body experience way. Similarly, one can become numb and even begin derealization.
deraomar
on
Jun 24, 2019
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you feel like you can't breath and Spasm in your body members and sometimes you start shout and crying i wish you never test this feeling anytime ♥ ..
i hope that you will never tes this bad feeling if you felt this befor in the next time you should be wiith someone who can let you calm down don't be alone in this case and for sure try to avoid the reason that drives you to this panic
you will be happy soon and nothing will happen don't be worry
i'm sorry if my english not good enough sorry ♥
15Kenzi
on
Jun 30, 2019
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Sense of impending doom or danger
Fear of loss of control or death
Rapid, pounding heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
Chills
Hot flashes
Nausea
Abdominal cramping
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness
Numbness or tingling sensation
Feeling of unreality or detachment
One of the worst things about panic attacks is the intense fear that you'll have another one. You may fear having panic attacks so much that you avoid certain situations where they may occur.
Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. They can strike at any time — when you're driving a car, at the mall, sound asleep or in the middle of a business meeting. You may have occasional panic attacks, or they may occur frequently.
Panic attacks have many variations, but symptoms usually peak within minutes. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides.
MissLisa
on
Aug 9, 2019
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Panic attacks are a rush of sudden anxiety which can cause physical problems. Although panic attacks can be frightening they are a perfectly normal response whenever an individual feels intense fear or panic. Panic attacks can manifest through a number of different symptoms. Just remember that panic attacks differ from person to person. Some people may only experience one symptom whilst others experience a number of symptoms. These symptoms include; hyperventilation (not being able to catch a breath), excessive sweating, shaking, feeling nauseous, heart palpitations, feeling dizzy or faint, chest pain, hot flushes, chills, numbness and pins and needles etc.
lavieenlilas
on
Aug 10, 2019
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Symptoms can be different from a person to an other. Usually, you struggle to breathe properly, you may even hyperventilate; your heart is racing; you can’t think very clearly. Your hands might be humid and you might need to sit down. Most of the time you feel overwhelmed both by what’s going on and by your intrusive thoughts. Some may even be shaking, cry and / or feel the need to throw up. Surrounding noises might feel like they’re becoming louder and louder and you’ll probably have a headache. And you also may not be able to speak very properly.
Anonymous
on
Aug 16, 2019
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Panic attacks may be different from one person to another. But the major indicators of a panic attack are:
Raced heartbeat: when the heart beat feels irregular or fastened and that is often followed by:
Shallow and fast breaths:breathing pattern becomes inconsistent
Dizziness/confusion : when the person feels faint or perturbed
Shaking: shaking of the members of the body can be a big indicator
Restlessness : when the person can't sit still
Feelings of choking/suffocating : happens when breathing becomes difficult from shallow breathing
Headache: happens from all the blood flow that is leaving the bodies extremities and rushing to the brain
Feeling cold:body temperature drops
Looking pale/yellowish:from all the stress that is being put on the body
SpiceSpoce
on
Aug 25, 2019
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Panic attacks are different for everyone, but based on mine, I have a few symptoms. I have panic disorder, so I freak out a lot. It starts with feeling low, I get chills. My chest feels heavy, my whole body hurts, I can’t breathe. My eyes water, but I don’t cry until the attack hits fully. Most people complain of feeling cold, as there is less blood in your limbs because your brain is in distress, using the blood for fight or flight. Chest pain, or your legs feeling wobbly is also a common one. Hyperventilating is very common, and I do it a lot also!
Anonymous
on
Sep 5, 2019
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panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.
Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away, perhaps when a stressful situation ends. But if you've had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called panic disorder.
Although panic attacks themselves aren't life-threatening, they can be frightening and significantly affect your quality of life. But treatment can be very effective.
symtomes
Symptoms
Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. They can strike at any time — when you're driving a car, at the mall, sound asleep or in the middle of a business meeting. You may have occasional panic attacks, or they may occur frequently.
Panic attacks have many variations, but symptoms usually peak within minutes. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides.
Panic attacks typically include some of these signs or symptoms:
Sense of impending doom or danger
Fear of loss of control or death
Rapid, pounding heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
Chills
Hot flashes
Nausea
Abdominal cramping
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness
Numbness or tingling sensation
Feeling of unreality or detachment
One of the worst things about panic attacks is the intense fear that you'll have another one. You may fear having panic attacks so much that you avoid certain situations where they may occur.
Anonymous
on
Sep 6, 2019
...read more
rapid heart beat, obsessive worrying, feeling weak, faint, or dizzy, feeling like the world is coming to an end,
Feeling sweaty, chest pains, breathing difficulties, hot flushes, chills, shaky limbs, a choking sensation,
numbness or pins and needles, dry mouth, a need to go to the toilet, ringing in your ears
a feeling of dread or a fear of dying, a churning stomach, a tingling in your fingers, feeling like you're not connected to your body
-Most panic attacks last for between 5 and 20 minutes.
The number of attacks you have will depend on how severe your condition is. Some people have attacks once or twice a month, while others have them several times a week.
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