Signs and Symptoms of Panic Attacks

A panic attack can last from a few minutes to around an hour. Sometimes the stress caused by an initial attack can lead to clusters of further panic attacks with periods of intense anxiety in between, giving the appearance of a panic attack lasting several hours.

The experiences of panic attack sufferers can vary greatly, but an attack will include four or more of the following symptoms:

• Palpitations – panic attacks are usually accompanied by the sensation of the heart racing or an irregular heart rhythm (it may feel like it keeps missing a beat)

• Chest pain - this symptom can lead the sufferer to fear they are having a heart attack

• Shortness of breath

• Sweating

• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded or faint

• A choking sensation – like the throat is closing up or like there is a lump in the throat

• Trembling – possibly by accompanied by chills or hot flushes

• Abdominal problems – causing pain, loose stools or nausea

• De-realisation/de-personalisation– a person may feel detached from themselves or their surroundings, almost like they are witnessing the panic attack happening to someone else

• Paraesthesia – a tingling or numbness, commonly in the face or bodily extremities such as the hands

• Paleness - (the colour draining from the face)

• Muscle pain

• An intense fear of dying or feeling that you are losing your mind

These are the signs normally associated with panic attacks, some of which are much more frequently reported than others. If you have experienced another frightening symptom in addition to the above it does not mean that it is not normal, just less common. There is a psychosomatic element to panic attacks, which means mental processes can manifest almost any unpleasant physical symptom.

Although the official classification for a panic attack states that four or more symptoms must be present, three or less symptoms may be considered a limited symptom panic attack.