Panic attacks affect millions of people each year. They are very intense, usually brief periods of fear that are overwhelming and irrational. Most people who suffer from forms of panic attacks, also suffer from anxiety disorders or other mental illnesses that if untreated, can make being out in public a difficult situation. The fear of getting or having a panic attack, is enough to scare a lot of people away from doing anything socially.

Symptoms of panic attacks can be different in everyone and the intensity of the attack can also vary greatly from one person to another. For most people, symptoms of panic attacks pass after a few minutes, but for others they can last a lot longer. The intensity can also very greatly from one person to another. You may have slight symptoms one time, and more intense symptoms another time. If you can recognize symptoms of panic attacks, you will be able to know that what it is that you are going through, and it can help you deal with it better. Learning techniques to deal with the anxiety attack can also help you be prepared.

Some of the most common symptoms of panic attacks include the following:
• Sudden feeling of fear and panic
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Nervousness
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Blurry vision
• Shaking
• Uncontrollable fear
• Feeling as though you may have a heart attack
• Feeling faint or like you are going to pass out

When some people experience frequent and sever panic attacks, they want to seek help to treat them, but are often afraid to do so. They feel as though they will be seen as crazy or unstable, but the truth is that panic attacks are a very common problem for people of all ages. It is not a sign of weakness to seek medical attention for panic attacks. Knowing that they are common and that a lot of people experience them at different times of their lives, makes it a little easier for some to pursue treatment.

It is important to be familiar with, and identify the symptoms of panic attacks so that you are equipped to know how to deal with one if it arises. Knowing the kinds of situations or settings that may trigger some of the attacks is also helpful. Although you may not be able to completely prevent panic attacks from occurring, if you are familiar with what triggers your attacks to start, and what techniques you can apply to lessen the attacks can help you get over them faster.

There is no doubt that people suffering from panic attacks generally feel a lot of stress and anxiety often. There are treatments that can help improve the condition, and make it easier to deal with.