Panic attacks are sudden surges of overwhelming fear and anxiety that strike without warning. They can be incredibly frightening and leave a person feeling out of control. While everyone experiences anxiety differently, here are 16 signs that someone might be having a panic attack, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America:
Sudden Onset of Intense Fear
Imagine feeling a wave of intense fear wash over you in a matter of minutes. Panic attacks often come on abruptly, leaving the person feeling a sense of impending doom or like they’re about to die. This intense fear can be very distressing and can cause them to withdraw or seek immediate safety.
Heart Palpitations
A racing or pounding heart is a common symptom of a panic attack. This is caused by a surge of adrenaline coursing through the body, preparing it for a perceived threat. The rapid heartbeat can be very noticeable and add to the overall feeling of panic.
Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing
During a panic attack, a person might feel like they’re suffocating or struggling to catch their breath. This can happen even though their airways are not physically blocked. It’s a terrifying sensation that can further escalate the anxiety.
Chest Pain or Discomfort
Tightness, chest pain, or discomfort in the chest can be a scary symptom of a panic attack. It can be mistaken for a heart attack, adding to the fear and sense of urgency. This is why it’s important to seek medical attention if chest pain is a new or persistent symptom.
Dizziness, Lightheadedness, or Feeling Faint
Rapid changes in breathing and heart rate during a panic attack can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or even a feeling of fainting. This can be disorienting and contribute to the feeling of losing control.
Feeling Detached or Derealization
The person may experience a sense of detachment from their surroundings, feeling like they’re outside their body or that the world around them is unreal. This dissociation can be very unsettling and add to the overall feeling of disorientation.
Fear of Losing Control or Going Crazy
A common fear during a panic attack is losing control of oneself or one’s mind. This fear can be irrational, but it can be very real and frightening in the moment.
Numbness or Tingling Sensation
Hyperventilation, a rapid breathing pattern common during panic attacks, can disrupt the body’s balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This can lead to tingling or numbness in the hands or fingers, causing a pins-and-needles sensation.
Chills or Sweating
As the body goes into fight-or-flight mode during a panic attack, it may trigger chills or sweating. This is a physiological response to prepare for a perceived threat, and the fluctuations in body temperature can be quite noticeable.
Hot Flashes
A sudden feeling of intense heat radiating through the body can be another symptom of a panic attack. This is caused by vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels, in response to the surge of adrenaline.
Nausea or Abdominal Discomfort
The intense anxiety of a panic attack can trigger nausea, stomach upset, or cramping. This can be a very unpleasant addition to the physical discomfort already being experienced.
Feeling Like You’re Choking
A tightness in the throat can make swallowing difficult, further increasing anxiety. This is not due to a blockage but rather muscle tension caused by the body’s fight-or-flight response.
Fear of Dying
The intensity of the physical symptoms and the overwhelming fear can lead to the belief that something is seriously wrong medically, even death.
Sense of Unreality (Derealization)
The world around the person may feel unreal or detached, further contributing to the feeling of disorientation and fear.
Depersonalization
The person may feel detached from themselves as if they are observing themselves from outside their body. This can be a very disorienting and frightening experience.
Intrusive Thoughts
During a panic attack, the mind can become flooded with intrusive thoughts. These are unwanted, negative, and often frightening thoughts that seem to appear out of nowhere and take hold with surprising force.