Panic attacks are severe, debilitating episodes that are often mistaken for other kinds of problems, both by the person having the attack and by observers. If you are the parent or spouse of a panic sufferer, you may have no idea what is going on when your loved one starts to have an attack. A person heading for a full-blown panic attack will possibly have trouble articulating what the problem is, making it very difficult for family members or bystanders to help.
Knowing the signs of an oncoming panic attack can make it easier to know what is going on and also what to do about it. Some people have frequent, severe panic attacks, but don’t know that they are. This may cause them to avoid public places or social interactions, or to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
When it comes to panic attacks, the more knowledge you have, the better you’ll be able to handle the problem. Being A very common sign of an impending panic attack is a rapid heartbeat or palpitations, sometimes accompanied by chest pains or just general discomfort in the chest area. There may also be shortness of breath along with feelings of dizziness or a sensation of light-headedness. The person may start to feel weak and disoriented.
This leads to the second very common sign of an impending panic attack, which is fear. A pounding heart combined with dizziness and shortness of breathe would cause concern for anyone, especially when it comes on suddenly with no apparent immediate cause. The panic sufferer fears they may be having a heart attack or are about to pass out or die because of the intensity of their symptoms. This fear causes the symptoms to intensify even more. The heart and breathing rates get even faster. The dizzy feeling may increase, leading possibly to nausea, sweats, or chills. It becomes a loop in which the symptoms cause more fear which in turn causes more symptoms.
Medical professionals recommend several steps to take when a panic attack seems imminent. Control of breathing has a calming effect and helps to avoid hyperventilating. Various methods are recommended for refocusing attention to reduce fear and keep symptoms from escalating. Being able to recognize panic attacks in their early stages may mean the difference between a person being able to control their disorder or being controlled by it.