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“A panic attack goes from 0 to 100 in an instant. It’s halfway between feeling like you’ll faint and feeling like you’ll die.”
- Unknown
In 2022, 21.94% of Texans had a mental health disorder. Having a mental health disorder is a common risk factor for experiencing a panic attack. At SUN Behavioral Health Houston, we want to help people better understand different mental health conditions. Today, we will discuss panic attack symptoms and what to do if you or someone else is experiencing them.
What Does It Mean to Have a Panic Attack?
Panic attacks are short episodes of intense anxiety that include physical symptoms associated with fear. These reach peak intensity within minutes and require at least 4 symptoms. People who have panic attacks may have them multiple times a day or only a few times every year. For most people, it comes without warning, and no apparent trigger is associated with the episode. Suppose someone gets panic attacks because of a specific anxiety disorder. In that case, a trigger could be attached to the episode, but this is not always the case for everyone.
While anyone can experience a panic attack, they are most frequently associated with people who have a panic disorder. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) determines that a panic disorder requires someone to have at least 1 month of persistent concern over having another panic attack and recurrent unexpected panic attacks. The person also must actively avoid places, people, or events to prevent another panic attack. Other than a panic disorder, panic attacks also occur in different types of anxiety, mood, or substance use disorders.
Suppose someone is experiencing frequent panic attacks, either from a panic disorder or another mental health condition. It will result in a decreased quality of life. They become worried about when the next one will come, or the attacks themselves prevent the person from accomplishing the goals and tasks they have for themselves. It could even prevent them from being able to go to work, school, or form relationships. In some cases, these frequent attacks result in people developing substance use disorders as a way to cope or have suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
What Are the Common Panic Attack Symptoms?
The symptoms of a panic attack are a terrifying and uncomfortable experience for someone. People who have experienced one describe it as feeling like they are going to die or like they are having a heart attack. Panic attacks are very intense experiences where the body activates its fight-or-flight response. The person who is experiencing it will feel out of control. To be considered a panic attack by the DSM, at least 4 of the following symptoms must occur. They are either physical, psychological, or a combination of both.
Physical Symptoms of a Panic Attack
There are many physical symptoms that someone might have when they are experiencing a panic attack. Many people only have some of them, or they experience a different combination each time they have one. These symptoms include:
- Chest paint
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Sweating
- Tingling in fingers or toes
- Tense muscles
- Nausea
- Shaking
- Racing heart
- Trembling
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
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