Anxiety and panic attack

Anxiety and panic attacks are sneaky. One moment you may be calm and the very next you may be experiencing an episode. In fact, a serious panic attack may be the first indication that you are suffering from this disorder. In some people, an anxiety or panic attack may be a one time thing, but with others it may be a frequent occurrence. A regular attack lasts up to approximately 10 minutes.

It is difficult to distinguish between having an anxiety attack, or simply being in a very stressful situation, as symptoms are quite similar. Most people nowadays lead very stressful lives that affect them profoundly. Stress can certainly lead people to an intense emotional and physical state, with symptoms just like an anxiety or panic attack.

Shortness of breath is the most common symptom when experiencing an anxiety and panic attack. The situation rapidly worsens, as the stress of not being able to breathe freely brings on other symptoms such as perspiration, hyperventilation, and tachycardia.

Chest pains are also reported as one of the symptoms of an anxiety and panic attack, tricking some people into believing that they are having a heart attack. Frequently, sufferers of anxiety and panic attacks complain about a feeling of dread, thinking that something frightful is going to happen. Losing control of emotions, such as this, is a terrifying experience. Individuals with all these symptoms have a difficult time dealing with everyday life, because their fear only exaggerates the situation.

Sometimes people get so stressed in situations that are similar to ones they were in during their last panic attacks, that they bring on an episode just thinking about it. Specialists state that if the anxiety or panic attack sufferer can anticipate an episode and find a safe place, they can control the situation.

Unfortunately, there are people who deal with this condition every day of their lives, literally stressing about future stressful situations that will trigger the next anxiety or panic attack.