Symptoms felt by people with a panic attack can be numerous and varied. However, for the
sake of uniformity and easy diagnosis, the DSM-IV manual states that a panic attack can be
considered if four or more of the symptoms listed in these 13 approved symptom list is present.
- Palpitations or irregular heart rhythm
- Sweating
- Shaking and trembling
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Choking
- Chest pains
- Nausea, diarrhea or abdominal distress
- Dizziness, lightheadedness and even fainting spells
- De-realization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
- Fear of going crazy
- Sense of impending death
- Paresthesias (numbness or tingling)
- Chills or hot flashes
In order to help us understand these symptoms, here are real testimonies from people who have experienced a panic attack.
- Palpitations or irregular heart rhythm
by EvilKittyy
The panic attacks usually occur when I am in public. When left alone in public, I feel my heart racing like crazy and I feel like I cannot breathe.
- Sweating
by kittykat1
I was on my way to work and I suddenly felt sweaty, dizzy and there was a heavy feeling in my chest. I felt sick but I didn’t even have a flu. It was very embarrassing and this whole ordeal lasted half an hour.
- Shaking and trembling
by an_eccentric_plaything
I was 30 minutes into a long drive and I suddenly felt a surge of panic and tingling in my arms. It was so strong and I feel the muscles in my arm were so tense that I had to pull over the driveway and do breathing exercises to calm myself down.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
by Glv80
I have had panic attacks but I usually brush them off. But last Sunday, I had a really severe panic attack. It was very hard to breathe and I feel like I am fighting for every breath of air I take. I was just going up the stairs and I feel very warm all over and I feel running out of gas. It was really very uncomfortable and I want to seek medical attention about it.
- Choking
- Chest pains
by ThomasBalaban
I have been having these minor chest pains, especially under the right nipple when I have panic attacks. These symptoms from a panic episode go away on their own but the fear doesn’t. My doctor prescribed aplrazolam and it seems to help.
- Nausea, diarrhea or abdominal distress
by squirrel1215
My experience with panic attacks lately involves a feeling of freaking up, feeling nauseas and then throwing up. Instead of feeling relieved, I would freak up even more after throwing up.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness and even fainting
by squirrel1215
My experience with panic attacks lately involves a feeling of freaking up, feeling nauseas and then throwing up. Instead of feeling relieved, I would freak up even more after throwing up.
- De-realization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
By skrinkladoo
My panic attacks for 6 years have been fairly controlled until recently. For the last 3 years, I have been experiencing a lot of stress and every time I get a panic attack, I feel this spacey feeling in my head. It’s as if I ‘m not even there.
- Fear of going crazy
by alwaysafraid
I am already 27 years old and I have an embarrassing secret. I cannot sleep alone at night, if I do, I will get severe panic attacks. I am extremely terrified of the dark and being alone I feel like I am already going crazy.
- Sense of impending death
By Synful_Buttrfly
Since February of this year, I have been experiencing panic attacks. It is very hard and scary and I always feel like I am going to die from it. I have been to the hospital and all my cardiac tests came out normal. They told me that it is all related to my panic attack and I really need help because I feel like this is going to kill me.
- Paresthesias (numbness or tingling)
by gans
I always feel numbness near the left side of my chest. The numb feeling travels even to my back and down my thighs. I do not feel pain just this numbness it is really weird.
- Chills or hot flashes
by lisac2012
Whenever I go to bus stops, malls or other places filled with people I begin to get this hot flushing sensation in my skin. I suddenly feel like I cannot breathe and I need to get out of that place to clear my head. It is really odd because my doctor said that my blood test were all ok.
Shortened version:
The symptoms of panic attack that are approved by DSM-IV criteria are: heart palpitations, sweating, shaking, difficulty breathing, choking, chest pains, nausea, lightheadedness, derealization / depersonalization, fear of going insane, sense of impending death, tingling and chills / hot flushes.
Tags:Panic attack symptoms, panic attack feelings, panic attack manifestations