What is it like to have a panic attack?

There are a lot of medical conditions people cannot understand nor comprehend simply because they lack first-hand experience. One such condition is a panic attack. Much like choking or drowning, panic attacks are real dangers to one’s health. And, for the most part, people who don’t know what goes on in the body and the mind of a person having a panic attack may not know how to respond to the emergency. According Behavioral Medicine expert, Curtis Cripe, knowing the symptoms can help people make better decisions when handling such situations.

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Panic attacks can be terrifying, especially if it’s your first time to experience it. There are several symptoms of one, which include shortness of breath, a choking sensation in the throat, chest pains, nausea, heart palpitations, numbness or tingling in several body parts, and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. Apart from physical symptoms, people suffering from panic attacks may also experience neurological abnormalities such as fear of losing their mind or an overwhelming fear of dying.

There are many reasons why people experience panic attacks. It could come from external factor such as danger, stress, or even pain. Some people have panic attacks because of anxiety disorders. Another main cause of a panic attack is an imbalance within the body. A person is susceptible to it when they are not functioning at their optimum level. This is why well-being can also trigger the condition.

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There are a lot of cases of people who are under stress due to health reasons or financial reasons. The triggers vary from person to person. Sometimes hearing a particular song or remembering an ugly memory could trigger a panic attack. Curtis Cripe states that people who take care of their health and have a firm grip on their lives will have less chances of experiencing panic attacks.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the development of brain-based technology for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. For more information about his works, view Dr. Cripe’s profilehere.