People suffering panic attacks often report the following symptoms :
- rapidly increased heart rate (palpitations)
- rapid, shallow breathing (hyperventilation)
- churning stomach or nausea
- increased perspiration
- physical shaking or trembling
- dizziness
- choking sensations
- feelings of unreality
- feelings that this is happening to somebody else
- inability to think clearly
In addition, the anxiety attack may produce frightening thoughts that drive the attack further.
- fear of having a heart attack
- fear of going mad
- fear of being publicly humiliated
As these symptoms arise suddenly and apparently out of nowhere, it can seem as if the mind and body are being “attacked”. However, as we shall see, in many ways panic or anxiety attack is really a misnomer.
