Panic Attack Symptoms – 5 Things That Are NOT A Panic Attack

Panic attacks come on suddenly and leave suddenly, leaving the sufferer with a sense of “what just happened?”. The feeling is a complete loss of control, coupled with intense sensations in the body including, shortness of breath, hot flashes and dizziness. These attacks remain mysterious because panic attack symptoms mimic so many psychological and physical maladies and also because it’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause. This lends itself to misreading simple changes in mood as a panic attack. Strangely enough, panic attack symptoms and fake symptoms can be one and the same.

Shortness of breath is usually the first sign that something is wrong, but most of the time this isn’t a full fledged panic attack. Psychologically, human beings are hard wired for survival, and as a situation demands more from us, whether it’s paying bills or negotiating crowd, we go into “fight or flight” mode. Shortness of breath can simply by your body switching gears and preparing you to take action.

Increased heart rate is a natural physical response to increased activity, but it can also be a sign of a panic attack. Before you jump to conclusions, ask yourself “what kind of shape am I in?” and “what was I doing directly prior to the supposed attack”. It could be your heart acting in your best interest instead of an inability to handle a situation.

The panic attack symptoms relief is more controllable than we realize. Dizziness, while a symptom of panic attack, can be a result of poor or inadequate nutrition. Failing to remain hydrated or not getting enough protein (especially in the morning) can lead to a drop in blood sugar, which can result in dizziness. Do some research and eat right, before you blame a panic attack.

Hot flashes have so many causes, it’s almost wishful thinking to try to attribute them to a panic attack. People suffering from hyperthyroidism encounter hot flashes as well as women going through menopause. The best course of action for a panic attack symptoms relief is to stop where you are, have a seat, wait until it passes and go forward with a clear head.

If you feel a tingling sensation or numbness in your hands or feet, think about the last time you had a doctor’s check up. The answer may be poor circulation caused by heart problems, aging or body weight. All of which can be addressed, so consider getting a massage, or (again) checking with your doctor to deal with what you think are panic attack symptoms before making it something that it’s not.