Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of a Severe Panic Attack

Severe panic attacks, although scary and emotionally draining, are not physically damaging. Know the symptoms so you can discern if you are experiencing a severe panic attack. You can consult with a counselor on lifestyle changes, techniques, and therapy that can decrease the occurrences or even stop a panic attack.

Symptoms of a Severe Panic Attack

Symptoms of a severe panic attack impact both physical and psychological health. In some cases, it can feel like a heart attack. Consult with your physician if you experience a severe panic attack for the first time. During a panic attack, take deep breaths and try to remain calm. If you are driving, pull off to a safe place until you feel more grounded. Ask a counselor about deep breathing and grounding techniques.

Heart Palpitations

A pounding heart or heart palpitations can often feel like a thudding in your chest. You might notice the movement under a shirt. The pounding can become extreme to the point that your chest and back hurt. It may be more noticeable while lying down.

Chest Tightness

Chest tightness is uncomfortable. If you are a woman, you may feel this tightness around your bra line. It may help to remove any tight clothing until the severe panic attack passes. It is this chest tightness, combined with numbness or tingling in the arm, and shortness of breath, that mimics a heart attack.

Stomach Upset

Anxiety and stress can cause digestive issues, such as stomach upset, indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux. Nausea and diarrhea can also occur. In some people, sudden hot flashes or chills from a severe panic attack can trigger nausea.

Shortness of Breath

Anxiety causes you to breathe faster and shallower. This can trigger shortness of breath. You might have feelings of suffocation because you can’t quite catch your breath. Deep breathing practices help to slow your breathing, staving off dizziness. Inhale through your nose, filling your lungs completely, hold the breath for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale through the mouth. Repeat as necessary. A counselor can walk you through various deep breathing practices.

Trouble Swallowing

Panic attacks can trigger dysphagia, trouble swallowing, due to the oversensitivity of your body’s reactions to the panic attack. Muscle tension and concern about swallowing can create the sensation of a lump in the throat or thoughts of choking.

Numbness or Tingling in Arms and Legs

Numbness and tingling in the arms, legs, and face are common during a panic attack. Trembling or shaking in the extremities can also occur as stress hormones are released to prepare you for perceived danger.

Dizziness

The shallow breathing responsible for shortness of breath can also cause dizziness. Severe dizziness can make it challenging to drive. If you are experiencing dizziness during a severe panic attack, pull off the road to a safe area or ask someone else to drive until the panic attack has passed.

Feeling Dread or Terror

Feelings of dread or terror, or a fear of fainting or dying, can accompany a severe panic attack. The sensation of losing control can exacerbate dizziness. Anxiety only feeds into these feelings of impending doom.

Professional Help for Panic Attacks

A pattern of severe panic attacks may require professional help. Therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), are effective in addressing the thought-emotion-behavior cycle. Contact our office today to speak to a representative to schedule a session with a Christian counselor. We offer virtual appointments to make it more accessible.