Feelings of anxiety are fairly normal from time to time but how do you know if what you are feeling is a sign of anything else? Are you caught up with anxiety? What are the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks anyway? Would you even admit to having an attack?
Acknowledging that you’ve had a panic attack can often be a huge step. There is no point in refusing to think about what has occurred, this denial is of no benefit to you. It will take bravery on your part to face up to things but it is only once you do this that you can get help should you need it.
Considering the amount of people who are struggling with panic attacks on an ongoing basis, there still seems to be a lack of understanding about them. The symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks have been realised since the start of the 1900’s.
Back then you would most likely be diagnosed with cardiac neurosis, irritable heart or possibly Da Costa’s syndrome, also known as soldier’s heart and named after the the doctor who spotted the common occurrence in soilders who fought in the front line.
Panic attacks are associated with panic disorder and panic disorder is an anxiety disorder. It is only relatively recently, around 1980 that anxiety disorders were realised as seperate conditions. Each anxiety disorder has different symptoms, but all the symptoms have overwhelming fear in common.
Not all people have what is classed as panic disorder though they have panic attacks. You must have at least four in a four week period and they must be spontaenous and seperate from each other. You must also have at least four symptoms such as a fast heart rate or palpitations, shortness of breath, feeling faint or dizzy, chest pain, sweating, feeling nauseous, shaking or trembling muscles. a feeling of choking or wanting to go to the toilet.
Besides the physical symptoms, many people share the same thoughts and feelings, such as thinking they might die or are having a heart attack, scared they are losing total control. Feelings of sheer terror tend to overwhelm. Along with these feelings, many feel detached from what is happening.
It might be helpful for you to keep a journal of your panic attacks, where you were and what you were doing. See if you can identify any common causes. It is also helpful to see exactly how many attacks you have had. It might be less than you think.
If you have experienced any symptoms such as outlined above, don’t feel you will get an unsympathetic ear if you seek help though it will also be to your advantage if you understand the facts of your condition. Panic attacks are a common occurrence and can be extremely frightening and debilitating but they are very treatable.
Filed under Anxiety

