When the symptoms develop abruptly and reach peak in 10 minutes the individual is experiencing a panic attack.  According to the DSM IV people will suffer from at least four of the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations, pounding hear or increased heart rate
• Chest pain
• Shaking or trembling
• Feeling of choking
• Sweating
• Nausea/Vomiting – Abdominal or stomach pain
• Unsteady, dizzy or faint
• Feeling detached from self
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or tingling
• Cold or hot flashes
• Difficulty swallowing

Most panic attacks end within 20 or 30 minutes but some can last as long as an hour.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health approximately 2.4 million Americans age 18 to 54 have a panic disorder.  This may coexist with other disorders – most often depression or substance abuse.

A panic disorder differs from a panic attack because individuals will suffer from frequent and unexpected attacks.  Once a person has been worrying about another panic attack for a month or more or they’ve made significant changes in their behavior to avoid places where they’ve previously had an attack they can be diagnosed with a panic disorder.

Many people who experience the physical symptoms anxiety panic attacks don’t seek treatment because they don’t think they can be treated.  They also may fear what others think about their condition and as a result, will suffer needlessly. 

Treatment is available for physical symptoms anxiety panic attacks which help people to lead more productive and happier lives.  The stress of anticipating or waiting for an attack often keeps people from social situations in which they feel their attacks will recur.  With treatment they are able to move through their lives without fear or distress lessening their risk of depression or development of other anxiety disorders

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