Panic Attacks Symptoms

• The American Psychiatric Association's official Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) defines a panic attack as a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which 4 (or more) of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:
  
  
  • Palpitations, pounding heart, or fast heart rate
    
    
  • Sweating
    
    
  • Trembling and shaking
    
    
  • Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
    
    
  • Feelings of choking
    
    
  • Chest pain or discomfort
    
    
  • Nausea or abdominal distress
    
    
  • Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
    
    
  • Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
    
    
  • Fear of losing control or going crazy
    
    
  • Fear of dying
    
    
  • Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)
    
    
  • Chills or hot flashes

• Some of these symptoms will most likely be present in a panic attack. The attacks can be so disabling that the person is unable to express to others what is happening to them. A doctor might also note various signs of panic: The person may appear terrified or shaky or be hyperventilating (deep, rapid breathing causing dizziness).

• Recent literature suggests that men and women may experience different symptoms during an attack. Women tend to experience a predominance of respiratory symptoms compared to men.