Help! Am I Having a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks are sudden surges of overwhelming fear that come without warning and without any obvious reason. It is far more intense than having anxiety or the feeling of being 'stressed out' that most people experience. One out of every 75 people worldwide will experience a panic attack at one time in their lives.

In any given year, about 1/3 of American adults have at least one panic attack; most of these adults never develop repeated panic attacks. This means that anxiety attacks and panic attacks are the most common emotional disorders yet only about 21% of those who suffer seek help and find it.

One of the problems is that many of the signs and symptoms:

* Rapid heart rate

* Sweating

* Trembling

* Shortness of breath and hyperventilation

* Chills

* Hot flashes

* Nausea

* Abdominal cramping

* Chest pain

* Headache

* Dizziness

* Faintness

* Tightness in your throat

* Trouble swallowing

* A sense of impending death

Other health problems, an impending heart attack, an overactive thyroid gland, or drug withdrawal can cause similar signs and symptoms. If you found yourself in a life-threatening situation your bodies natural fight or flight response would cause your heart rate and breathing to speed up, the same as occurs in a panic attack. However, during a panic attack, these symptoms seem to rise out of nowhere. They tend to occur in seemingly harmless situations, even when asleep.

Another reason people don't seek help for panic attacks is that they were once dismissed as nerves or stress, and not treated very sympathetically. "Pull yourself together" being the normal response given to a sufferer. Fortunately they're now recognized as a potentially disabling, but treatable condition. A panic attack is not dangerous, but it can be terrifying. Many people experience occasional panic attacks, and if you have had one or two such attacks, there probably isn't any reason to worry. In most cases an anxiety panic attack can be controlled which is a good thing.

To help control panics you should learn exercise, controlled breathing, healthy diet, relaxation techniques and even just have someone to be there and listen. Finding out what causes the panic and reducing this factor in your life is often the key to helping panic attacks. If you suffer from repeated (four or more) panic attacks, and especially if you have had a panic attack and are in continued fear of having another, these are signs that you should consider finding a professional who specializes in panic or anxiety disorders.

If you are worried that you may be having panic attacks, or you want to find out more about anxiety and panic attacks then continue to http://anxietyandpanicattackinformation.com/ for more information.