You feel like your heart is about to explode, breathing becomes the hardest thing in the world and a wave of panic sweeps over you. This experience is not just a simple stress; Rather, it can indicate the beginning of a series of panic symptoms. Understanding these signs is the first and most important step to manage and control this inner storm. This article will help you to know the different dimensions of panic attacks and symptoms with a clear and accurate look and find the right way to deal with it. What is a panic attack and why does it happen? A panic attack is a short period of intense fear that suddenly peaks. Unlike general anxiety, which may build up gradually and last for a long time, a panic attack usually peaks within minutes, leaving a person feeling helpless and in imminent danger. These attacks can occur without any specific trigger, and this unexpectedness makes them even more frightening. In this case, the body enters the "fight or flight" reaction, even if there is no real danger, and this leads to severe physical and psychological symptoms. The main difference between a panic attack and severe anxiety Many people confuse these two states, but there are important differences between them. Acute anxiety usually develops in response to a specific stressor, gradually increases in intensity, and may last for hours or even days. On the other hand, a panic attack starts very suddenly and without warning. The severity of symptoms in a panic attack is much higher and usually subsides after 10 to 20 minutes. Understanding this difference helps to make a correct diagnosis and find a suitable treatment solution. Correct recognition of panic symptoms is the key to distinguishing it from other anxiety states. The most common symptoms of panic Accurately knowing the signs will help you to know what you are facing at the moment of the attack, and this awareness itself can reduce the intensity of the panic. These symptoms are usually divided into two main categories, physical and cognitive-psychological, which appear simultaneously or consecutively. Each person's experience of these attacks is unique, but a set of symptoms are common to most people. In the following, we will examine these cases in more detail to gain a complete understanding of panic symptoms. ### Physical and physical symptoms of a panic attack These symptoms are often the first and most obvious symptoms a person experiences and cause more panic due to their similarity to heart or respiratory problems. It is important to know that these reactions are the body's natural response to a perceived threat and are not life-threatening. Some of the most common symptoms include: - Very strong heart palpitations or the feeling of the heart beating in the chest - Excessive and sudden sweating - Body tremors or shaking of limbs - Feeling of shortness of breath or suffocation - Pain or feeling of pressure in the chest - Dizziness, lightheadedness or feeling faint Tingling or numbness in hands and feet - Hot flashes or sudden cold feeling ### Cognitive and psychological symptoms during the attack At the same time as the physical storm, the mind is also involved in a series of fearful thoughts and feelings. This part of the experience is often more distressing than the physical symptoms, as it challenges one's sense of control over reality and oneself. Being aware of these psychological symptoms will help you to know that your thoughts at that moment are the product of fear and not reality. Some of these cognitive symptoms are: - Intense fear of losing control or going crazy - Fear of death or an imminent disaster - The feeling of being separated from oneself or the surrounding environment (depersonalization and reality distortion) - The feeling that everything is unreal - Difficulty concentrating and mental confusion What factors cause a panic attack? Although panic attacks can seem completely sudden and for no reason, they are often caused by a combination of factors. Identifying these triggers can help prevent future attacks. Understanding why your body reacts the way it does is part of the healing process and will help you gain more control over your condition. In many cases, the root of these attacks lies in a combination of biological readiness and environmental stressors that make it necessary to recognize the symptoms of panic. ### External and environmental stimuli Environmental and situational factors play an important role in activating the panic reaction. These triggers can include a major stressful event such as losing a job or ending a relationship. Also, being in situations where you have previously experienced an attack, such as driving through a tunnel or being in crowded places, can become a strong trigger. Excessive consumption of caffeine, drugs or even lack of sleep can make the nervous system more sensitive and increase the likelihood of an attack. ### Internal and biological factors In addition to external stimuli, internal factors also play a key role. Genetics is one of these things; If there is a history of anxiety disorders in your family, you may also be more susceptible. Also, some personality traits, such as a tendency to think negatively or a high sensitivity to anxiety, can provide the basis for experiencing panic symptoms. Changes in the function of some areas of the brain and the imbalance of nerve chemicals (neurotransmitters) are also known as one of the main biological reasons for these attacks. Understanding the vicious cycle of panic: From fear to panic symptoms and the return of fear One of the most important concepts for understanding this disorder is the "vicious cycle of panic". This cycle explains how an attack can reinforce itself and trap a person in an endless loop of fear. It all starts with feeling a normal physical symptom; For example, a slight palpitation from climbing stairs. A person prone to panic interprets this sign in a catastrophic way, "I must be having a stroke." This scary thought causes the release of adrenaline and intensifies the body's stress reactions. As a result, the heartbeat becomes more intense and new panic symptoms such as shortness of breath and dizziness appear. These new symptoms confirm the initial thought ("I'm in danger") and raise the fear to the level of panic. This cycle continues until the person is completely exhausted or the attack subsides naturally, leaving the person with the fear of experiencing it again. Is it dangerous to ignore panic symptoms? The short answer is yes. A panic attack in itself is not medically dangerous, but ignoring it can lead to more serious problems. The biggest danger is creating "fear of fear"; That is, the person is so afraid of experiencing the attack again that he limits his life. He may avoid situations or places where he thinks he might have an attack (such as department stores, public transportation, or open spaces). This avoidance behavior can gradually lead to agoraphobia (fear of inescapable places) and severely reduce the quality of a person's life. Therefore, recognizing and taking timely action to treat panic symptoms is very important. panic disorder? Experiencing one or two panic attacks in your lifetime does not necessarily mean you have panic disorder. Panic disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences frequent and unexpected attacks and for at least a month, has constant worry about the next attacks or their consequences. This concern leads to significant changes in a person's behavior, such as avoiding daily activities. In fact, the main difference between a panic attack and panic disorder lies in the pattern of repeated attacks and its psychological and behavioral impact on a person's life. Specialized treatment to overcome panic symptoms at Neurali Center Fortunately, panic attacks and disorder are completely treatable and you don't have to live with this fear. Overcoming these conditions requires a specialized and comprehensive approach. At Nourali Psychology Clinic and Counseling Center, we help you regain control of your life by using the latest and most effective treatment methods. Combining evidence-based methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with modern technologies such as magnetic brain stimulation (rTMS) and neurofeedback, our expert team designs a personalized treatment plan for you. Our goal is not only to reduce the symptoms of panic, but also to identify and treat the underlying causes so that you can achieve a lasting recovery.