Are you worried you may be having a panic attack? If so, this article will present you to all the common symptoms which are typically exhibited by patients during the course of panic. If you have four or more of the following symptoms at once, there’s a good chance you’re indeed struggling with panic attacks. Just remember, the point of this article is not to substitute for a professional diagnostic; in fact, if this article makes you suspect that you may be dealing with panic attacks, we recommend you to consult with a professional for proper guidance and support.

Chest pain or discomfort: it’s all to common for a patient to experience a strange and unfortable tension in the chest, which tends to get more intense and even overwhelming.

Cold chills and/or hot flushes: when panic starts taking over, you may realize you’re sweating profusely and getting cold chills all at once, not unlike when you have the flu.

Derealization or depersonalization: a feeling of either being detached from oneself or experiencing a sense of unreality, as though you’re suddenly caught up in a bizarre waking dream.

Fear of dying: as panic grows out of proportion, patients often start fearing they may suddenly die; such fear may grow to such proportions, the person will be come entirely absorbed in it.

Fear of losing control or going crazy: likewise, you may also feel that you’re about to go crazy or lose control, as a sense of inexplicable panic swells inside your being.

Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint: what actually happens is that increasing anxiety makes you hyperventilate, which in turns triggers all these secondary symptoms.

Feeling of choking: for the same reason as above, your mind may convince you that you could choke at any moment, and the more you get carried away in this idea the stronger its effect.

Nausea or abdominal distress: following your intense mental pressure, your body may go out of whack and suddenly trigger all kinds of digestive distress.

Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate: all of these are caused by the overarching fear taking over your mind, making you feel as though your body is turning against you.

Paresthesias (numbness sensations or tingling): these symptoms usually occur in correlation with the symptoms above, as part of the “fight or flight” response to panic

Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering: often brought forth in the aftermath of hyperventilation, these symptoms will only intensify as you dwell in them.

Sweating: a very natural response to worry, sweating easily grows out of proportion as fear turns into panic.

Trembling or shaking: triggered by the queasiness of your nervous system, your motor coordination may suddenly drop.