As one of us who has experienced panic attacks, I browsed the Web with
Lycos search and found the following which should help with your own
diagnosis and self-help. (I am not a doctor.)
Panic Attack Symptoms
In a true panic attack, at least four of thirteen characteristic symptoms
must be present. They are:
shortness of breath or feeling a smothering sensation
palpitation or rapid heart rate
dizziness or faintness
trembling or shaking
nausea or stomach distress
sweating
choking sensation, although there is actually no choking
depersonalization or derealization
(which means things don't seem as they really are)
Many people describe feeling as if they are looking
on themselves from an external spot in the room
Numbness or tingling, especially in the extremities
Flashes of heat, so called hot flashes or chills
Chest pains or other discomfort
Fear of dying or fear of going crazy and doing something u
ncontrolled.
This list was extracted from a transcript of a talk given by Dr. Brian
Swenson to Agoraphobics in Action on Oct. 18, 1994. Printed in the AiA
newsletter, Winter 1995.
==========
The following two excerpts can be found at:
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~janeeyre/goodmood/attack.html
What are the Symptoms of a Panic Attack?
The symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly, without any apparent cause.
They may include:
.Racing or pounding heartbeat .Chest pains .Dizziness, lightheadedness,
nausea .Difficulty breathing .Tingling or numbness in the hands .Flushes or
chills .Dreamlike sensations or perceptual distortions .Terror: a sense
that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless
to prevent it .Fear of losing control and doing something embarrassing
.Fear of dying
A panic attack typically lasts for several minutes. It is one of the most
distressing conditions that a person can experience. Most who have one
attack will have others. When someone has repeated attacks, or feels severe
anxiety about having another attack, he or she is said to have panic
disorder.
From Panic Disorder, written by Mary Lynn Hendrix, science writer in the
Office of Scientific Information, The National Institute of Mental Health.
================
Strategies for Coping with Panic
1.Remember that although your feelings and symptoms are very frightening
they are not dangerous or harmful.
2.Understand that what you are experiencing is just an exaggeration
of your normal bodily reactions to stress.
3.Do not fight your feelings or try to wish them away. The more you are
willing to face them, the less intense they will become.
4.Do not add to your panic by thinking about what "might" happen.
If you find yourself asking "What if?" tell yourself "So what!"
5.Stay in the present. Notice what is really happening to you as opposed to
what you think might happen.
6.Label your fear level from zero to ten and watch it go up and down.
Notice that it does not stay at a very high level for more than a few
seconds.
7.When you find yourself thinking about the fear, change your "what if"
thinking. Focus on and carry out a simple and manageable task such as
counting backwards from 100 by 3's or snapping a rubber band on your wrist.
8.Notice that when you stop adding frightening thoughts to your fear, it
begins to fade.
9.When the fear comes, expect and accept it. Wait and give it time to pass
without running away from it.
10.Be proud of yourself for your progress thus far, and think about how
good you will feel when you succeed this time.
From Understanding Panic Disorder, by The National Institute of Mental
Health. NIMH further cites Jerilyn Ross, M.A., L.I.C.S.W., The Ross Center
for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Inc., Washington, DC. Adapted from
Mathews, A.M.; Gelder, M.G.; and Johnston, D.W. Agoraphobia: Nature and
Treatment. New York and London: Guilford Press, 1981.
=================
I plan to try out the things above, but I know I will have to memorize a
couple of them, because when the attack is bad, it is hardest to remember
anything. I think it will take some time to begin to master these things.
Let us all know if you find success.
Rich Morelli, PDer since '88 Age 53
[log in to unmask]
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