10 Signs of a panic attack

1. Rapid Heart Beat
People experiencing panic attacks almost always experience an elevated heartbeat. It is recognized as one of the most common anxiety attack symptoms. During mild attacks, the heart beat could be 2-3 times faster than it normally is. In more serious cases of anxiety, the heart can actually get up to 5 times quicker than normal. In instances like this, the person may actually feel a chest pain similar to a heart attack. .

2. Skaking And Trembling
A person going through a panic attack may shake or tremble. Depending on the severity of the attack, this can actually be quite scary. In situations like this, the patient has no control over this shaking. In fact, any attempt to stop the shaking can actually increase it's intensity.

3. Shortness Of Breath
This symptom goes hand in hand with the rapid heart beat discussed above. Individuals experiencing extreme cases of anxiety will often display a shortness of breath. This results in heavy, deep breaths as the patients try desperately to get more air into their systems. Along with this, you'll also see widened nostrils. This is the bodies way of trying to "open the valves" even more.

4. Nausea
Nausea is another one of the many symptoms of panic attacks. In mild cases it's almost just a feeling of being light headed. During a severe case of anxiety, though, a person can feel indigestion and dizziness. This can, in turn, lead to an upset stomach and vomiting.

5. Paranoia
People having panic attacks often seem on edge and paranoid. They'll be scared and quick to react to anything out of the ordinary. If you're around an individual going through one of these, it's best to remain calm. Any sudden movements on your part will only increase the patients paranoia. There body is in a state of "Fight or Flight" and will do anything to protect itself. Furthermore, your peaceful state of being will positively affect the overanxious person.

6. Paleness
A person under extreme panic will become pale. This is because all the blood in their body is rushing towards more vital muscle groups. You see, the skin isn't really necessary to defend an individual against potential harm in the present. Blood is much better suited servicing the bigger, stronger muscles that can successfully defend the body's life.

7. Mad Or Crazy Thoughts
This is obviously a tough one to spot if you think your friend is experiencing a panic attack. But just because you can't read minds, doesn't mean you can't sympathize with your friend while he's in this difficult time. The abnormal thoughts are more or less just an extension of the paranoia symptom discussed above.

8. Muscle Pain
Almost like the aches experienced during an intense fever, muscle and body pains are very common symptoms of panic attacks. The most affected areas are typically in the neck, upper back and shoulders. They aren't necessarily restricted to just these body parts though. Many stressed people experience aches in their arms and legs as well.

9. Sweating
Much like the feverish symptoms mentioned above, sweating is also a common panic attack symptom. Combined with the shaking and trembling outlined earlier, this can be quite scary for someone witnessing a panic attack.

10. A Sense Of The Surreal
Like the mad thoughts symptom, this is quite difficult to wrap your head around unless you've actually experienced it. People having anxiety attacks will sometimes feel like their world isn't real... It may appear as if they've temporarily left their body.