Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Many people don't recognize the symptoms of panic disorder and often confuse the condition with something else, whether the self-diagnosis is a case of the nerves or a heart attack. Learning to recognize the symptoms of panic attack can help sufferers recognize triggers and assist their physicians with diagnosis and treatment. Frequent occurrences of panic attacks may lead a doctor to closely monitor these symptoms of panic disorder.

When to Seek Help
Because so many of the symptoms of a panic attack are similar to other major medical conditions, it's a good idea to consult a doctor about what physical issues are being experienced. If the symptoms occur frequently, the doctor may monitor you more closely to see if you suffer from a panic disorder. However, it's not unusual for someone to only suffer from panic attacks a few times over the course of a lifetime.

Symptoms

• Breathing difficulty: A panic attack can cause the muscles in the chest to constrict, causing a shortness of breath and possible hyperventilation as the sufferer tries to expand the lungs.
• Tightness in chest and throat: Chest pain is a common symptom of a panic attack, as is the tightening of the throat. Along with throat tightness, many sufferers report trouble swallowing.
• Rapid heartbeat: When a panic attack occurs, the brain sends signals to the heart to trigger a fight or flight response and the heart starts to pump rapidly to get oxygen-infused blood throughout the body. The rapid heart rate can cause dizziness as the blood pressure changes throughout the body.
• Chills and sweats: During a panic attack, the patient may suffer from chills or cold sweat. Hot flashes may also be a part of someone's panic attack. These symptoms vary from person to person.
• Cramps and nausea: Many people suffering from a panic attack are overcome with waves of nausea and abdominal cramps.
• Headaches and muscle aches: Because of the surge in body signals, it's not uncommon for sufferers to experience headaches and leg cramps. Other muscle cramps are not uncommon. Muscle spasms and trembling can also manifest in a panic attack.
• Overwhelming sense of fear: A panic attack can also cause a sufferer to experience a sense of doom or fear while the attack is ongoing.