Symptoms of Anxiety Attack
Symptoms of anxiety attack(s) are as
follows:
Source: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (4th Ed.)DSM-IV-TR
- Palpitations, a feeling that your heart is going to
pound out of your chest, or a racing heart rate.
- Fear that your anxiety attack will lead to death.
- Trembling/shaking
- Sweating
- Fear of going crazy/losing control
- Nausea
- Numbness/tingling sensations
- Chills
- Hot Flashes
- Having an experience that you are out of your body.
Feeling like this event is not really happening to you.
- Chest pain/discomfort. This often feels like you may
be having a heart attack.
- A feeling of choking or a feeling of having a
“ball” stuck in your throat.
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of being smothered.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or like you may faint.
If you experience 4 or more of these symptoms in a brief
period of time, it will be beneficial to discuss this with your doctor.
The symptoms of panic attack (s) usually occur suddenly
without warning at any time, which often triggers fear of having a
panic attack in public causing embarrassment.
Symptoms of Anxiety Attack(s) are
diagnosed as follows:
Panic attacks are diagnosed as “Panic Disorder
with Agoraphobia or Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia.”
To be diagnosed with Panic Disorder, one has to
experience recurrent Panic Attacks within a one-month period.
Within this one-month period, he or she may feel intense
fear or anxiety that the Panic Attack will reoccur. This anxiety
affects the ability to function in one’s career or academic
environment along with other daily activities.
Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia
Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia is fear of being outside
of the home where one may feel vulnerable to the criticisms and
opinions of other people, society in general, or of other reasons,
especially during the occurrence of a Panic Attack. One will often
avoid getting oneself in these situations, so he/she will resort to
never leaving the house.
Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia
This is where symptoms of Panic Attack (s) are
experienced without the fear of leaving the home. One is capable of
leaving the house, interacting with society, and attempting to function
in the outside world, although the anxiety of having a Panic Attack is
severe.
Experiencing symptoms of Panic Attack (s) are
frustrating, confusing, and irritating to those who are struggling with
the attacks.
However, do hang in there and seek help! The faster you
seek help for your symptoms, the sooner you will be able to enjoy life
without the Panic Attacks controlling your everyday living.
You are not alone with your experience! There are many
professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, school counselors,
therapists, and physicians) in your area that are just waiting to help
you, help yourself.
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