During a panic attack, a person experiences intense fear and physical sensations of fear. Panic attacks can occur frequently and unexpectedly and are often not related to any external threat. The symptoms of a panic attack can include:
- Heightened anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Trembling or shaking
- Muscle tension
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Chills or hot flashes
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Sense of impending doom or danger
- Fear of loss of control or death
These symptoms can make a person feel as though they are having a heart attack, or that they are going to collapse or even die. Panic attacks usually last somewhere from 5 minutes to half an hour. Although it may feel like something is seriously wrong, panic attacks are not dangerous and shouldn’t harm a person. During a panic attack, the body goes into “fight or flight” mode, causing the physical symptoms. The physical changes may start about an hour before an attack, and the adrenaline levels in the body can spike by 2 1/2 times or more. Researchers don’t know exactly what triggers panic attacks.
To cope with a panic attack, a person can try the following:
- Practicing deep breathing
- Acknowledging that they’re having a panic attack
- Relaxing their muscles
It’s important to remember that panic attacks always pass and the symptoms are not a sign of anything harmful happening. If a person experiences recurring panic attacks, they may have panic disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder. Panic attacks can be treated with a range of therapies including medications, psychotherapy, and stress management and relaxation techniques.
