A panic attack is an attack of anxiety based on intense fear. Panic attacks may be commonly referred to as panic disorder, a term used to describe a series of panic attacks. Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes repetitive, unexpected attacks of intense fear. A panic attack can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours and can be extremely frightening and debilitating.
Increased Heart Rate and Respiration
Some of the most common panic attack symptoms are cardiovascular symptoms. Most people experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, an increased heart rate or heart palpitations or chest pain. Many panic attack sufferers report they first thought they were having a heart attack.
Trembling or Shaking
It is common to experience some numbness or tingling, particularly in the limbs. Because the fear that causes panic attacks is so intense, it boosts your brain's neurological activity, causing a reaction in the nerves of the body. You may also experience some trembling or shaking. These symptoms typically start quickly but dissipate as the attack subsides.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Slightly before or after a panic attack, you may experience flu-like symptoms such as nausea, a mild fever (102 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), sweating, chills, hot flashes, dizziness or fatigue. If you experience these symptoms before a panic attack begins, it is important to take note of when they occur. This information may provide your doctor with insight on why the attacks occur.
General Anxiety
As a result of the physical symptoms you may experience, you might develop a sense of anxiety in addition to the fear that sparked the panic attack. For example, prolonged symptoms of a panic attack may cause you feel like you can't breathe, that you are losing control or that you're dying.
Detachment
Panic attacks can appear seemingly out of nowhere and are difficult to control. Some sufferers describe a panic attack as an "out of body" experience because it difficult to feel grounded or have a sense of control over what is happening to you. Additionally, some panic attack sufferers develop a literal detachment from family and friends. Because it can be difficult to identify when a panic attack will occur, some people will become socially isolated in an effort to prevent them.
