The symptoms of panic attacks are some of the most troubling and frightening feelings a human being can face. A panic attack is a distinct period of intense fear or discomfort that usually reaches a peak within a few minutes. Some of the symptoms include: 1) Pounding heart or accelerated heart rate, 2) Sweating, trembling, or shaking, 3) Feelings of choking, chest pain, or discomfort, 4) Nausea or abdominal distress, 5) Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, 6) Feelings of unreality of being detached from oneself. 7) Fear of losing control or going crazy, 8) Fear of dying, 9) Numbness or tingling sensations, 10) Chills or hot flashes.

Not all of the above symptoms of panic attacks are present in each individual attack. Usually at least four are necessary to be considered a true panic attack. A panic attack can occur suddenly, without warning causing anxiety between attacks that another attack will occur at any time. When someone is having a panic attack they usually have a pounding heart. There may be chest pain and some people actually think they are having a heart attack. They may feel sweaty, weak, faint or dizzy. There may be tremendous fear that they losing control of their mind (going crazy) or that they are going to die. They also can have feelings of unreality or of being detached from themselves. Usually attacks only last a few minutes; however, the fear associated with the symptoms of panic attacks can be so profound that it may feel like the length of an attack is an eternity.

Not everyone who has a panic attack will go on to have more attacks. If they do then they may be diagnosed with Panic Disorder. Panic Disorder is estimated to affect 3 to 6 million Americans and is twice as common in women as in men. If a person is diagnosed with Panic Disorder it is important that they receive treatment as the condition can become very disabling. The symptoms of panic attacks can cause a person to avoid certain situations for fear that an attack may occur. For example if someone had an attack in a closed space like an elevator they may develop a fear of elevators. In the extreme, some people who experience panic attacks will not even leave their home. This is called agoraphobia.

Treating the symptoms of panic attacks in the medical model is generally a three pronged approach. First is education, second is therapy, and third is medication. Educating the suffer that some how their fight-or-flight response to danger is getting triggered in non threatening situations usually helps put their mind to ease. Letting them know that the attack is short lived and will not harm them also seems to help. Second, short-term therapy that focuses on relaxation and imagery techniques that can be used during an attack may also be helpful. Learning to know what sensations bring on the fight-or-flight response can help a sufferer calm down before they have a full-blown attack. Also dealing with the person's fears about having another attack can also lessen the anxiety about panic attacks. Finally, if all else fails there is medication that can be prescribed that can help with the symptoms of panic attacks. Many times a sufferer will be prescribed medication and only take it when they feel like they may have an attack. Soon, just knowing there is something at hand that can bring them down from an attack allows them to be comfortable without taking the medication at all.

As frightening as a panic attack is for the sufferer, the symptoms of panic attacks respond well to education and even self-help. Often a person doesn't need therapy. Rarely does a person have to take medication full time, if at all. This should be encouraging news to those of you who wondering "Why Me?" There is help and the prognosis is very good. Find what works for you.