Suddenly your heart starts beating fast.
You are sweating, your whole body trembles.
Severe pain is piercing your chest.
Your breathing is short and fast.
You feel dizzy.
At that moment, you think that you can’t stop this horrible feeling, that you have completely lost control, that you are going crazy.
You feel so bad, as if you are going to die.
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If you have experienced this once in your life, it lasted up to ten minutes and – you did not die, then you have experienced a panic attack.
How to recognize a panic attack? The symptoms of a panic attack are similar to the symptoms of some physical illnesses. Which is why, as expected, people who suffered a panic attack would often call a doctor.
When doctors rule out physical problems, it remains to deal with this psychological phenomenon that can confuse people and, most of all – scare them.
Panic attacks have been well-studied and there are effective ways to solve the issue.
How long does a panic attack last
Intense feeling you have during a panic attack is most reminiscent of fear and anxiety.
It is important to know what a panic attack looks like. And it is also important to know that a panic attack usually passes in a few minutes.
However, it sometimes happens that several attacks are linked to each other, so this condition can torment a person for several hours. On the other hand, in some people this attack occurs only once in a lifetime. In some people, panic attacks are more common, so we can talk about panic disorder.
Women are twice as likely to experience panic attacks as men.
Due to the intense feeling of fear they feel during a panic attack, some people completely withdraw from everyday, normal activities. Therefore, they need to be treated, because they can significantly corrupt the quality of life.
What does a panic attack feel like
Sudden anxiety that you feel is accompanied by various physical symptoms. This is the result of a sudden rush of adrenaline, which puts the body into a “fight or flight” mode.
The rush of adrenaline causes numerous physical problems: rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, tremors, nausea, impaired vision … You feel disoriented, confused.
These symptoms are very similar to a stroke or heart attack, so it is not surprising that medical help is sometimes sought (that is why it is important to know how to recognize a panic attack). During the attack, you have the feeling that something catastrophic will happen. Often to the level that you can die.
When you try to control your fear, you discover that you can’t, and you may feel that you have no control over yourself, that you will lose your mind, go crazy.
Is it possible… and how to stop a panic attack
Of course panic attacks are manageable!
To be able to be of help yourself in this unpleasant situation, it is important to know how to stop a panic attack.
There are several self-help techniques for panic attacks. You will master them best with the help of a psychotherapist.
One should learn to recognize when a panic attack begins, then one can act while anxiety and fear are still less intense. Then it is easier to restrain them.
It is useful to know that the symptoms that you feel very realistically are actually only in your head. That you will not have a heart attack, go crazy, die. Also, the panic attack will pass.
The best ways to overcome panic attacks, however, are different types of psychotherapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and EMDR therapy have been shown to be the best treatment for panic attacks.
In some cases, the most effective help is provided when pharmacotherapy is combined with psychotherapy.
So do not suffer from this intense fear, contact us immediately