Panic Attacks Support Group

Palpitations (Heart Beating Hard and/or Fast or Pounding) Heartbeat sensations that involve a regular or irregular pounding of the heart. It is a conscious, unpleasant awareness of one's own heartbeat, or a sensation of skipped or stopped beats. Palpitations can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck. Palpitations may be felt accompanying emotions such as excitement or fright. Everyone experiences palpitations at some time in life. Pounding of the heart, brought on by strenuous exercise or strong emotions, is rarely associated with serious disease.Sweating - Perspiration In most cases, sweating is perfectly natural, especially when exercising, or hot, or if something has happened to cause an emotional response (being angry, embarrassed, nervous, afraid, or anxious).Trembling or Shaking Trembling or shaking can be associated with fatigue, stress, anxiety, anger, or rage. However, a constant tremor that is not associated with altered emotional states may be a sign of disease or a abnormal condition and should be evaluated.Shortness of Breath - Breathlessness - Difficulty Breathing A sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing, or a feeling of not getting enough air. If the brain, muscles, or other body organs do not receive enough oxygen, a sense of breathlessness may occur. Sometimes emotional distress, such as anxiety, can lead to difficulty breathing.Difficulty Swallowing The sensation that food is stuck in the throat or upper abdomen. This may be felt high in the neck or lower down, behind the breastbone (sternum). Sometimes emotional distress, such as anxiety, can lead to difficulty swallowing.Sharp Pains in the Chest or Chest Discomfort When faced with unexpected chest pain, it is normal for people to fear the worst because chest pain is a symptom to which many people think "heart attack." Nevertheless, chest pain can have many causes unrelated to the heart. Sometimes being caused by a panic-anxiety attack.Abdominal Pain - Stomach Pain Abdominal pain is a nonspecific symptom that may be associated with a multitude of conditions such as anxiety or strong emotions. Some symptoms do not occur within the abdomen itself, but cause abdominal discomfort.Nausea and Vomiting Nausea and vomiting are controlled by the central nervous system. Nausea is controlled by a part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions. Vomiting is a reflex controlled by a vomiting center in the brain. Vomiting can be stimulated by various triggers, such as smell, taste, anxiety, pain, motion, changes in the body caused by inflammation, poor blood flow, or irritation.Dizziness - Lightheadedness - Faintness Dizziness is a feeling of faintness or light-headedness, making it difficult to maintain balance while standing or sitting. A persistent light-headed feeling without other symptoms is often due to anxiety, rather than a brain tumor or other hidden disease. If it is severe, some anti-anxiety medications can help treat light-headedness and dizziness.Hot or Cold Flashes A short lasting feeling of "warm or cool" sensations in the upper body. Sometimes emotional distress, such as anxiety, can lead to hot or cold flashes.

http://www.livingwithanxiety.com/anxiety-physical- symptoms.htm

Good post Phil!! It's always nice to read things like this to remind myself Amy it is just anxiety and panic.

Very well done Phil! The post is comprehensive and on target. It's factually based and informative in a way designed to help people understand some of these strange sensations they can experience and know they did not just "come out of the blue" and will not harm them. Doing that while still advising people to see a doctor is the reason for a group like this. Again, well done!

Thank you guys. Even though I have not had a bad panic in almost a year, I continue to research, read and practice my tools daily, this way I am kept informed of new approaches and new methods to cope with panic attacks.

Body sensations is what scares most panickers. So this article caught my eye. A few member expressed concerns in this area. And I found it to be right on target.