The Nature, Causes And Alleviation Of Panic Symptoms And Panic Attacks

If you've never experienced a panic attack before, you have no idea how bad it can be. Many people who are prone to these kind of attacks will testify that it's worse than getting a heart attack. The mere fact that such an attack frequently feels exactly like a heart attack doesn't make it any better. Below we will briefly outline the nature and causes of panic symptoms.

As we mentioned in the previous paragraph, a heart attack and a panic attack very often feels very much the same. Not only will your pulse rate increase dramatically, but you could also experience heart palpitations. Chest pains and difficulty in breathing are not uncommon sensations. Very often sufferers will also experience a feeling of numbness in their legs, arms and scalp. Hot flushes and muscle pains also regularly occur.

Profuse sweating during an attack is also very common. Many people lose all strengths in their arms and/or legs. Its' not uncommon for someone having one of these attacks to feel that he's dying right there on the spot, or losing his mind. Dizziness and nausea also frequently occur.

Panic attacks and depression are often closely linked together. Those suffering from panic attacks are prone to depression and also the other way round. Many people go through feelings of complete despair. Thinking of death is prevalent and suicide plans often take shape under these circumstances.

The causes of anxiety attacks can be numerous and very hard to pinpoint. Very often the cause for a particular patient's attacks can never be established without any doubt. Sometimes one can trace it back to a deficiency in his/her diet, such as eating too much sugar or taking in to much coffee. Menopause and other hormonal changes caused by PMDD or thyroid dysfunction can sometimes result in panic attacks.

For some people these attacks are triggered by a specific situation. Those suffering from claustrophobia for example, will suffer an attack if they get stuck in an elevator. Sufferers of agoraphobia in turn will experience feelings of panic when faced by wide open spaces. Those suffering from GAD (general anxiety disorder) have it worst - their attack can be triggered by a wide array of situations.

There's a large number of medications available on the market to alleviate panic attacks. Some examples are beta blockers, tranquilizers and the so-called benzodiazepines. When they feel that an attack is oncoming, many people start to experience the symptoms of an attack already. Some medications concentrate on relieving this 'anticipatory' panic, while others concentrate on providing relief for the actual attack.

When you start to feel these panic symptoms and you realize an attack is just around the corner, sit down and take a couple of deep breaths. Remind yourself that what you're going through right now is not based on fact. Your body's alarm system has gone haywire, just like a faulty alarm of a car in a car park with nobody nearby. The attack also won't kill you, or in any way physically harm you.

Treatment that does not require medication

There are several treatments for panic disorder and panic symtoms,that don't require medication.

Once such treatment is Panic Away.