One of the unfortunate outcomes from suffering from excessive stress and anxiety is a physical reaction of your body to the situation.  It’s like your body is telling you that you need to rest for a moment.  Except when you’re having a panic attack, it’s anything BUT restful.

let’s look at the signs that you might be having a panic attack.  The following list gives tell-tale warning signs of an oncoming panic attack.

• Palpitations
• A pounding heart, or an accelerated heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Shortness of breath
• A choking sensation
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea or stomach cramps
• De-realization (a feeling of unreality)
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or a tingling sensation in your face and limbs
• Chills or hot flashes

You would be surprised at how many people go to the hospital emergency room completely sure that they’re having a heart attack only to find out that it’s a panic attack.  They’re that intense!

It’s very difficult for your loved ones to imagine or even understand what you are going through when you have a panic attack.  They may lose patience with you, tell you to “get over it”, or think you’re faking.

The particular situations that trigger your panic and anxiety may differ.  Maybe the bodily sensations are a little different.  What’s important to realize is that panic attacks are very real to the people who are having them and they should never be pushed off to the side.

Even when you think you’re in no danger of having a panic attack, your brain might be feeling differently.  That’s the scary part.  The good part is that there are ways you can combat panic attacks and cope much better when you find yourself in that situation.