Panic Attack Symptoms

What are the symptoms of panic attack? When do you know you are getting ready to have another episode? There are some things to ask yourself and conditions to watch for:

  • Are you constantly worried about things, but there are no signs of trouble?
  • Do you have frequent aches and pains, but can’t trace them to an illness or injury?
  • Do you get tired easily, but you have trouble sleeping?
  • Is your body constantly tense?
  • Does your heart start pounding for no reason?
  • Do you feel dizzy?
  • Do you feel you can’t breathe?
  • Do you feel you are about to die?
  • Do you feel like this over and over again?

These symptoms are often relieved immediately if you take a good, proper breath. You don't want to hyperventilate by breathing too much or too fast and you need to breathe deep into the diaphragm, not shallow "chest breathing." I have to use a little battery operated breathing reminder to remember all that when an attack shows up. For more info, see BreathMinder.)

What do you think you have?

This short list is general in nature, but it suggests the types of problems you may be encountering on a daily basis.

If any of these seem way too familiar to you, see your doctor and start out on the road to wellness right away. These situations do not improve with age if you ignore the signs but they can be resolved and oftentimes eliminated.

Remember that this is not medical or professional advice. I speak from experience and I know what you are experiencing. Help is available, but you should consult a professional before trying an alternate form of treatment.

Helpful tools. . . .
  • I try to read everything I can on anxiety and found this doctor's concept very interesting.

    Recent research has been encouraging and is presented in his book by Dr. David V. Sheenan, formerly of the Harvard Medical School, who is now the Director of Research of the College of Medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Sheenan explains that the more unexpected and unprovoked the attacks or the symptoms, the more likely that the victim is suffering from a biologically beset disease. What's more, medical science can now overcome this disease in virtually all cases through a combination of drugs and behavior therapy.

  • Also, you will see in most of the reading that a person who does not breathe correctly can bring on these symptoms. Some people have stopped having panic attacks simply through breathwork!

    When I am having a panic attack, I don't remember most of my training so I have learned to use a breathing reminder, The BreathMinder. It was designed with panic and anxiety in mind - discreet to not attract attention, persistent (with a "nag" alarm,) simple (nothing to program) and tiny so I can wear it under my clothing. Click here for more information.

    The BreathMinderClick thumbnail for larger image

  • The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has an free interactive page where you can match symptoms with disorders. (Either click on "Continue" for on-line, "Print" to print a PDF of their pamphlet.)

  • You can order free printed materials from the National Mental Health Association by going to their website at www.nmha.org and search their factsheets.

    Page last updated April 5, 2009

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