Friday, June 3, 2011

How to Describe a Panic Attack

This article is about how to describe a panic attack. Being able to describe one is the first step in identifying one. All attacks are not the same, so this article will describe the most common experiences. There can also be smaller, limited symptom attacks.

How to describe a panic attack is like describing what goes on in your body while fighting or running for your life. Your body is in fight or flight mode, ready for maximum performance in a struggle for life. But there is nothing present presenting a real danger. The bodily sensations are normal but are misinterpreted by the mind.

Fear usually precedes the episode, but there is no threat to cause the fear. Then the fight or flight response causes a set of bodily sensation. These include rapid heart beat, feeling light headed, rapid breathing and sweating. This is your body preparing itself for a struggle for life. When that struggle doesn't happen, this preparation starts having negative effects on the body.

The blood chemistry is altered causing dizziness, tingling and numbness. The escalating fear can trigger another fight or flight response. This makes things worse by causing trembling, the shakes, and stomach upset.

The escalating symptoms are not dangerous but they do seem to be. Common phrases used to describe an attack include statements about losing control, going crazy and passing out. It is not uncommon for victims to think they are suffocating, having a heart attack or a stroke.

Other commonly described symptoms include chills or hot flashes and a sense of unreality. Chest discomfort or pain is common. These attacks do not cause heart attacks but the symptoms of a preexisting heart problem could trigger a panic attack. Often people seek medical attention after the first episode so this is ruled out.

Typically the symptoms last about 10 minutes. They can seem to go on for hours when there are multiple panic attacks. In can seem like one very long one when there are high anxiety levels and limited symptom attacks between them. Now that you know how to describe a panic attack, you know it is a terrifying experience but it will end.

Now you know how to describe a panic attack. The next step is to learn more and to discover proven ways to take back control of your life by clicking on this link http://www.overcoming-anxiety-panic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Flint

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3750298

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