June 28th, 2009

Symptoms of a Panic Attack

Posted in Uncategorized

Many people, experiencing a panic attack for the first time, think they are having a nervous breakdown or heart attack and may call the emergency services. The ‘fight or flight’ response releases adrenaline and norepinephrine into the bloodstream in preparation for the body to deal with the expected emergency and this is the cause of the numerous symptoms that arise. There may be a panicked urge to flee from the area, nausea, feelings of faintness, shortness of breath, sweating, and a fear of dying all arising from the increased level of adrenaline in the body. These symptoms themselves cause anxiety which forms a positive feedback, causing more adrenaline to be released into the bloodstream, making the symptoms worse in a positive feedback loop.