What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?

Panic attacks are scary, and they can come on quickly. However, what does a panic attack feel like? To understand how panic attacks feel, people must know the facts and myths about them. After that, they can call 866.238.3154 to speak with someone from the caring and compassionate team at Santé Center for Healing about our anxiety treatment program and discover how, with the proper support, panic attacks can be managed and reduced.

What Does It Feel Like to Have a Panic Attack?

When a panic attack happens, it comes on fast. They tend to peak within 10 minutes. The suddenness of a panic attack can make those suffering from it believe they are having a heart attack or seizure. This is because the symptoms of a panic attack mimic those of other physical conditions. Because of this, undergoing a panic attack can be terrifying for the individual. When doctors diagnose panic attacks, they look for specific symptoms. These are identified after the panic attack, and individuals are in care. People need at least four of these signs of a panic attack, which include:

Nausea and dizziness
Feeling cold or hot
Sweating or trembling
Chest pains and racing heart
Feeling detached from oneself
Fear of dying

Keep in mind that these are not all of the symptoms of panic attacks. Some people also experience choking and numbing sensations. At the same time, these symptoms and others are used to determine if an individual endured a panic attack after the fact. Learning to recognize them in yourself or others is an excellent first step in getting the mental health treatment necessary.

Prevalent Myths About Panic Attacks

A panic attack is an actual medical condition. Yet there are some persistent myths about them.

Myth: Panic Attacks Feel the Same to Everyone

Since there are ubiquitous signs of a panic attack, people often think they feel the same for everyone. When doctors ask people to describe a panic attack, they usually have very different answers. One reason is that people don’t explain things the same way. However, the other reason is that panic attacks don’t feel quite the same to everyone. Because of that, some people feel a rush of heat or feel flushed, while others feel cold. For people who don’t understand this fact, it’s difficult to pinpoint the symptoms of panic attacks.

Myth: Panic Attacks Are Just an Overreaction

When people describe what a panic attack feels like, some of them write it off as an overreaction. Others think that these feelings are part of being overly dramatic. Beyond popular belief, panic attacks are involuntary. As a result, people can’t control them. Why do people often think that panic attacks are a dramatization? One reason is that not everyone gets them. When people have panic attacks from events that don’t cause the symptoms in others, they think that it’s an overreaction. Another reason is that many of the symptoms are internal, so people can’t see them.

Finding the Right Treatment Center for Co-Occurring Conditions

Panic attacks are physical expressions of underlying mental health issues. They can severely hinder one’s professional and personal life. Yet, they don’t have to cast a shadow over people. With the proper support and a patient therapeutic approach, individuals can significantly reduce the likelihood of suffering from panic attacks in the future. Santé Center for Healing is here to help you manage your panic attacks and overall mental health. We can tell you what a panic attack feels like. Also, our staff offers several mental health services to help you, such as:

Don’t let a lack of understanding about panic attacks lead you to substance abuse.

Find Panic Attack and Addiction Treatment in Texas at Santé Center for Healing

Panic attacks are actual, and they can happen to anyone. To know what a panic attack feels like and how to manage it, contact Santé Center for Healing today at 866.238.3154. We offer comprehensive mental health treatment so that you can live the life you deserve, free of panic attacks and addiction.