Those who have never suffered from panic attacks often do not realize just how debilitating they can be. They are absolutely overwhelming. People suffering from them do not just feel nervous or frightened, they often cannot even speak. These attacks take over your life, making you live in anxiety about the next time one occurs.
To better understand what they feel like, here are a few of the most common symptoms people tend to experience:
- Feeling as if you are about to die. Many people note that it feels very similar to suffering a heart attack.
- Sweating profusely, regardless of the temperature.
- Feeling your heart racing or pounding in your chest.
- Having trouble breathing or catching your breath.
- Shaking uncontrollably or at least trembling during the panic attack.
- Becoming very dizzy and unable to stay on your feet.
- Feeling light-headed, like you are about to pass out.
- Feeling like you are losing control of yourself mentally, as if you are “going crazy.”
- Losing physical control of yourself. You may be unable to tell people what is happening or to seek help on your own.
- Feeling a sense of fear or dread.
- Suffering from chills and hot flashes, similar to when you have a fever.
- Feeling a tingling or a numbness in your toes or your fingers.
You must take panic attacks seriously. Though it is possible to work through them without long-term damage, they can cause all manner of problems in the moment and may strike without warning. At the same time, those who are unable to work because of their condition must know all of the legal options they have.
