Symptoms of Panic Attack

Every individual has different symptoms some may have all of them and some may have only one. The symptoms include and are not limited to; nausea, dizziness, palpitations, numbness in arms or legs, shaking, hyperventilation, chest feeling heavy, trouble breathing, unable to sleep, headache, trouble swallowing, feeling of loss of control, feeling like you are dying etc.
For me over the years I have had just one of the symptoms and other times it might be close to all of them. The symptoms are very scary and many people end up in the emergency room for fear of a heart attack. Other people might be at a function at work or in the car heading somewhere and feel the need to go to a "safe place". The desire to run from whatever situation you are in is so overwhelmingly strong. First of all you may feel like everyone knows there is something wrong with you. The truth is very few if any ever notice that someone is having a panic attack. The adrenaline released in your body has set off the survival mechanism. It not only gives you the symptoms of panic but urges you to get away from the purposed problem your body thinks is a life or death situation. Once you start to experience panic attacks you have had stress in your life for awhile and your body gets overloaded and the panic comes. Stress as we all know can throw our bodies off. The first panic attack you have may seem to come out the blue. However if you really think about it they are never out of the blue. Many people just live there lives and loose sight of the bodies ability to pick up on even the tiniest things. It is amazing how many people hyperventilate all day by improper breathing. This for sure causes stress on the body and over time hyperventilating can cause the dizziness and numbness and heart palpitations as well as headaches. Feeling those symptoms alone can push you to have a panic attack. Breathing is something I will touch on in a later entry.
Panic attacks are very real and vary scary things. There is hope and you don't have to be afraid. Once you understand it is a false alarm it will be a little easier to float with the feelings of fear and instability. Doesn't mean it is a comfortable ride. You will have to learn to deal with some discomfort as you face the fear. Over time the discomfort will be less and less. You will teach your body that there is no emergency and there is nothing wrong with you. Your body is actually very healthy and is working the way it should. It is your job to tell yourself it is a false alarm there is no danger and to float with the feelings.
Let me tell you from experience it is not easy. It involves much courage and perseverance. It can be done! It takes patience and understanding. It can get overwhelming and there are days it seems no matter what you do you feel defeated. You must keep pressing on. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I still get panic attacks and I am not fully recovered. This for me is the hardest obstacle. I do know that it is possible and as long as it is possible I will keep pressing on.