| Anxiety taken to the heightened level of panic | | | | That Have Similar Symptoms to Panic Attacks |
| attacks can in itself be a disabling disorder...and a | | | | Illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), |
| frightening one. A sufferer of this sneaky disorder | | | | Fibromyalgia (FM), Multiple Sclerosis, and Heart |
| never knows when a panic attack will sweep over | | | | Disease can produce a racing heart, pins and |
| him or her like a tidal wave. And, the fear of | | | | needles, pressure or pain in the chest, shakiness, |
| having a panic attack only adds to the anxiety. | | | | and a number of other frightening symptoms. The |
| But, along with this, the sufferer needs to be | | | | problem arises when the sufferer doesn't realize |
| extra cautious that panic attack symptoms are | | | | or acknowledge that he/she may have a serious |
| actually a panic attack and not symptoms of | | | | health problem. |
| another more serious illness. | | | | Not being absolutely certain that your panic |
| Panic attack symptoms can range from a racing | | | | attacks are actually anxiety related panic attacks |
| heart, shortness of breath, to pins and needles in | | | | can be dangerous. A number of disabling illnesses |
| the limbs or throughout the body. As mentioned | | | | such as Heart Disease can be deadly if not |
| above the symptoms are frightening - your body | | | | diagnosed and treated promptly. An illness such a |
| goes into an overdrive mode of fight or flight. It's | | | | Multiple Sclerosis can worsen and lead to much |
| as if Godzilla is alive and glaring down with mouth | | | | more disabling symptoms such as limb weakness, |
| open ready to devour you. And, you are panic | | | | balance issues, sight disturbances, and even |
| stricken and frozen. Your heart feels like it will | | | | movement problems. Being diagnosed as soon as |
| explode out of your chest, you can feel a | | | | possible is essential. The same holds true for CFS |
| pressure on your chest, you begin to | | | | and FM, if properly diagnosed, a protocol and |
| hyperventilate, you get shaky and disoriented, | | | | medications can help alleviate some of the |
| you're sure you're going to die... | | | | symptoms. |
| Sounds terrifying, doesn't it? Well, that's not the | | | | If you suffer from these frightening attacks, you |
| worse part. A true anxiety attack will last for a | | | | need to find a doctor who is willing to search for |
| certain amount of time - maybe 10-20 minutes. If | | | | the cause of the symptoms. Starting with your |
| you don't over hyperventilate and pass out, your | | | | general practitioner is step one. You might also |
| heart will begin to slow down, your breathing will | | | | think about seeing a neurologist and |
| stabilize, and you will start to feel relief. What a | | | | rheumatologist. Don't accept being dismissed - find |
| panic attack sufferer needs to be aware of is | | | | a doctor who takes you and your symptoms |
| that those symptoms may be due to something | | | | seriously. |
| other than severe anxiety. This is when anxiety is | | | | Always remember, knowledge is power and in |
| like being in murky water - you can't actually see | | | | certain circumstances it can mean the difference |
| what's going on underneath. | | | | between life and death. |
| There are a Number of Illnesses and Disorders | | | | |