Panic attacks, also known as anxiety attacks are a moment that suddenly occurs causing a period of intense fear. The symptoms a sufferer can feel vary from nausea, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, sensations of choking and heart palpitations. Although attacks come suddenly, seemingly unprovoked they can often be triggered by phobias.

Panic attacks not only have physical symptoms, they also cause psychological distress that can be emotionally draining. The feelings a person has when suffering a panic attack can go as far as a fear of dying and a strong urge to escape the situation or place they are when the attack happens.

Am I Alone

Many sufferers feel alone and dont even tell their friends or family what they are feeling. It is reported that 1 in 60 people in the U.S will have a panic attack in their lifetime, thats roughly 6 million people.

Panic disorder has been traced in family history but other factors do have an important part, such as your environment and stress.

Support

Support from family and friends can play a pivotal role in speeding up recovery times. If a friend or family member is there at the time of an attack, having knowledge of the issue could help them dispel your fears.

Methods in treating the symptoms include writing day by day about your feelings and how you deal with them. Relaxing techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga and physical exercise can also help. All of these ideas to help support you are stress management skills that can help you through those difficult moments.

Remember you are not alone, many people understand the feelings you are going through and there is a lot of support out there to help you.