Panic Attack Symptoms

Many people who get panic attacks feel like their life is basically over. They feel out of control and possibly even like they are dying. If that is how you feel, you might seriously doubt there is any way you can stop panic attacks from happening. Fortunately, if you have the right methods, you CAN control panic attacks or even eliminate it and live your life again. Put your doubt aside right now, and grasp onto this hope.

The first thing you need to do is take stock of your symptoms. People suffer from different symptoms, and your treatment plan might differ depending on the ones who you are dealing with. If you are seeking the advice of a doctor, you should tell your doctor what symptoms you are experiencing so they can help you end your panic attacks.

After you have evaluated your symptoms, you need to do some research. Research what works for other people by joining forums that discuss anxiety and panic attacks. You definitely don't want to focus on negative threads -- focus on positive threads where people have found their answer. There are tons of people who have successfully banished their panic for good and it can be motivating for you to read their stories.

It's also a good idea to read books and e-books written by people who have been in your situation. There are many great techniques out there that have worked for thousands of people. By reading about these methods, you can further perfect your own personalized plan to end your panic attacks. Some of these techniques are even downloadable, which is important when you need this information as soon as possible.

Another thing you might want to do is join a support group. Knowing that there are other people going through the same thing can actually help you get through it all. You feel like you're not alone and that you're not going crazy -- this is a true disorder that you can end with some effort.

At this point, you probably have a good grasp on what your symptoms are as well as different methods you can try to control panic attacks or eliminate it altogether. Not all the methods will work for you, so you need to read through them and find the ones that will! After you've done that, it's time to create a plan for getting rid of your panic attacks. Take note of what you can do in the short term as well as the long-term so you can start to feel better.

One anonymous sufferer of panic attack symptoms recalled: "One Sunday night, after a long anxiety filled weekend, I lay in bed thinking. My thoughts started racing and I began worrying that I was going crazy. Was I going to freak out? Lose control? Would my thoughts get away from me and never return? Would I have to be committed, losing my children, my husband and myself? How scary would that be?"

She goes on to say how her thoughts turned into a horrible panic attack, where she was unable to catch her breath, and even Xanax couldn't help. A new job, the death of her grandfather and agoraphobia (fear of outdoors) were weighing on this poor woman. After unsuccessfully trying Xanax and Effexor, she finally found a winning panic attack treatment with Paxil.

Panic attack symptoms are twofold, with one part being physical and the other being part mental. Physically, research using magnetic resonance imaging of the brain suggests that the amygdala (the brain's "fear center") is highly sensitive to unfamiliar situations in people who have a panic attack disorder.

This region of the brain regulates fear, memory and emotions, and also coordinates heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Additionally, patients also have an imbalance in message-transmitting brain chemicals, like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. There are also studies which suggest up to 50% of those with a panic attack disorder have family members who also have had panic attacks.

Despite the physical maladies, people with a panic attack disorder often say the mental symptoms are the worst part of the whole episode. Sufferers note feeling intense dread, feeling as though they are losing control or dying.

They feel tense, jumpy, unable to concentrate, restless, helpless and they begin to anticipate the worst case scenarios. Patients may have suicidal thoughts and fears that they are not truly loved, that others will think they are crazy, that they may never be the same again or that they may die.

There is no reason to suffer through panic attack symptoms time and time again. Often the symptoms can get worse if no steps are taken to correct the situation. For some people, self-education through reading, combined with exercise, a balanced diet, meditation and deep breathing is all it takes.

For others, their treatment may involve attending 10 to 12 week sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is half covered by most medical insurance companies. The most severe panic attack sufferers may need to take panic attack medication like antidepressants, anti-psychotics or mild sedatives to help deal with the severe and sudden symptoms initially.