Panic attacks can be terrifying for the person who experiences them to the point where they feel like they're having a heart attack or might die. People who suffer from panic attacks can get treatment by learning about and participating in biofeedback, seeing a therapist on a weekly basis and taking medication to reduce the frequency of the panic attacks.
Panic
When someone begins to experience a panic attack, she becomes panicked. An overwhelming fear usually takes over, because she does not feel as if she is in control of her body. These symptoms can seem to come out of nowhere or be triggered by stress, and she feels as if she can't stop the symptoms.
Sometimes she might feel like she's going crazy. When there is no medical explanation for the physical symptoms she is feeling, she might think that she's crazy; however, panic disorder is a real disorder that affects many people.
Physical Symptoms
Panic attacks have many physical symptoms. According to HELPGUIDE.org, some of the physical symptoms include chest pain, hyperventilation, hot flashes or chills, trembling and having trouble breathing. The person might also have stomach pains or feelings of nausea. He might feel like he's dizzy and going to pass out. Some people report that they feel like they'll die from the physical symptoms.
These physical symptoms of a panic attack can be debilitating. Many people who suffer from these attacks are embarrassed to have them in public or scared of having them in front of coworkers or friends. This can cause many occupational and social problems. For example, a person might not go to work for a couple days, because he feels like he might have a panic attack. This could lead to him being demoted or fired. Someone might distance himself from his friends, stop attending his weekly poker game and stop returning his friends' phone calls due to fear of having a panic attack in front of them.
Constant Worry
People who suffer from panic disorder worry about having another attack. Worrying about having another panic attack can cause the person to have problems concentrating. This can also disrupt work activities and cause problems at work. The constant worrying between panic attacks is known as anticipatory anxiety, and it can be just as debilitating as a generalized anxiety disorder.
Agoraphobia
Some people develop agoraphobia due to their panic disorders. They become so terrified of having panic attacks in public places that they avoid them. Some people with agoraphobia refuse to leave their houses which can cause extreme issues. Many people suffering from agoraphobia can't complete regular tasks such as going grocery shopping or picking up laundry from the dry cleaner.
