Panic attacks can happen to anyone, at any age. While some people suffer from chronic panic attacks, others may only experience one or two panic attacks in their entire lives. However, if you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you’ll know that a panic attack is a frightening event that is hard to forget. Because of the kinds of feelings that a panic attack induces, it’s often easily confused with other serious problems, such as a heart attack or stroke. For that reason, it’s helpful to understand what to look for, and to know the signs of a panic attack.
If you’re battling a mental health disorder such as an anxiety disorder or panic disorder, there is help available. At Atlantic Recovery Center, we give you the tools that you need to overcome panic, stress, and anxiety outside of treatment. Contact our Florida treatment center today by calling 1-866-824-5193 to learn more about your treatment options.
What is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden feeling that comes over you of intense fear and danger. You can compare it to how you might feel if you suddenly felt your life was in danger. The difference is that with a panic attack, there is no obvious source of danger. In other words, the danger is perceived instead of real. Furthermore, while the panic attack itself comes on for intangible reasons, the physical and mental symptoms are very evident.
What Are The Signs of a Panic Attack?
The exact signs of a panic attack may vary slightly from one person to the next. However, in general, there are certain signs that you can pay attention to determine if you’re having a panic attack versus something else. Here are the common signs to look out for:
- A sudden sense of dread or foreboding
- Feeling like it’s the end of the world
- Feeling like everything you ever knew was wrong
- Sweaty hands and feet
- Racing or pounding heartbeat
- Tremors or shaking
- Rocking back and forth
- Overwhelming desire to curl up in the fetal position
- Nausea/retching
- Headache
- Dizziness or feeling like you’re going to faint
- Intermittent chills and hot flashes
- Perceived shortness of breath
- Feeling the need to escape
- Hyper-awareness of the blood circulating through your body
As you can see, there are multiple signs of a panic attack. A person may have just a handful or all of the symptoms mentioned above, or they may have additional signs that aren’t listed here. One of the signs of a panic attack that everyone has, though, is the intense feelings of danger and fear.
What Causes Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks can start for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons include things like:
- Recent trauma
- Sustained levels of stress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Chronic stress
- Feeling that you are not being true to yourself
- Feeling that something is physically wrong with you
Note that some people can endure these kinds of situations and never experience a panic attack. Whether or not a person responds with one or more panic attacks depends on how they cope with stress in general, genetics, and their physical and mental state. For instance, if a person is harboring long-term feelings of deceitfulness or if they feel they have not been taking care of themselves physically, they might experience a panic attack, or they might simply make lifestyle changes.
If you feel that you are starting to have a panic attack, it’s important to seek out help. Call a loved one or contact a mental health professional. Panic attacks do cease, but getting help is still critical for an overall favorable outcome.
Get Help You Need From Atlantic Recovery Center
Your mental health is an important part of your overall health. It is important to take care of it so you can feel like your best. Atlantic Recovery Center offers a number of therapies to help you protect your mental health. Some of these include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group therapy program
- Family therapy program
- Trauma therapy program
Get the help that you need today by contacting Atlantic Recovery Center at 1-866-824-5193. We are here ready to help you.