What is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack is a sign of an "Anxiety Disorder." In a full panic attack, people usually experience an intense episode of fear that builds up, sometimes very quickly, and typically includes several physical symptoms, such as:

• heart pounding
  
• sweating, chills or hot flashes
  
• trembling, numbness or tingling
  
• shortness of breath, or feeling like choking
  
• dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded
  
• upset stomach or nausea
  
• fear of dying, having a heart attack, or losing control
  
• feelings of unreality

Not everyone has exactly the same symptoms, but anyone who has had a panic attack usually has several of the symptoms noted above which come on fast and happen together. Often panic attacks are so unexpected that the person thinks they are having a heart attack and seeks medical treatment. Once medically cleared, they often feel confused about what happened and wonder "If it wasn't a heart attack, then what was it?" If someone thinks they are having or had a panic attack, it is important to get a medical evaluation. If no physical causes are determined, physicians often recommend a consultation with a psychologist to deal with the anxiety. They may also recommend anti-anxiety medications.

Once a person has a panic attack, they often begin to develop secondary fears of having another panic attack, and become so afraid of having another one that they begin to limit their activities so they won't be caught off-guard out in public. Without treatment, this pattern of restriction can begin to seriously impair the quality of a person's life.