When I had my first panic attack I was convinced that I was dying of a heart attack. After speaking to many suffers I found that this was a common misconception for people suffering panic attacks.

In this short article we will look at the physical symptoms of a panic attack so that you can become familiar with the physical effect a Panic attack will have on your body. There is a saying that there is nothing to fear but fear its self. By understanding the physical symptoms you will be able to tackle the fear of a panic attack much better.

So what are the physical symptoms? Here are 19 of the most commonly felt physical symptoms of a panic attack.

• A sensation of adrenaline going through your entire body
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Racing or pounding heartbeat or palpitations
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea / stomach pains
• Hyperventilation
• Choking or smothering sensations
• Uncontrollable itching
• Tingling or numbness in the hands, face, feet or mouth (paresthesia)
• Hot/cold flashes
• Trembling or shaking
• Feeling of claustrophobia
• Exhaustion
• Feeling of physical weakness or limpness of the body
• Uncontrollable crying
• Grinding teeth or tensing other muscles repeatedly or for prolonged periods of time

It is easy to see why when people suffer a panic attack, especially for the first time, they believe it is something much more terminal. If you are experiencing the physical symptoms such as shortness of breath (dyspnea), racing or pounding heartbeat palpitations, dizziness or vertigo, and / or chest pain it could be easy to assume it's a heart attack. Unfortunately this often makes the attacks much worse.

Why panic attacks are fighting they are, from my experience, not life threatening and can be treated ether through drug therapies of holistic methods. I have found success with drug free holistic methods to manage my panic attacks so I am now attack free.

Finally I am not a Dr or an expert but a fellow suffer and speak from my own experiences. If you believe you are suffering form panic or anxiety related illness then I would strongly suggest you seek the advice of your Doctor.