What Panic Attacks … Are NOT
Often at the onset of a first panic attack, a person feels s/he is having a heart attack. The chest pains (when they occur), rapid heart beat, dizziness, and numbness in extremeties for example may feel as if they mimic symptoms of a heart attack.
And of course one would not want to dismiss the possibility and risk one’s life by avoiding immediate medical attention. It’s just that panic attacks are not heart attacks, though they may sometimes occur at same time and may inititially feel similar.
But there are other things that can be confused with panic attacks, for example:
- Hypoglycemia
May make you feel light-headed or faint
- Drug or alcohol withdrawal
- Caffeine sensitivity
- Reaction to drugs
… such as to some drugs used to lower blood pressure or treat anxiety, depression, reduce cholesterol, or pain. Talk to your doctor.
- Hormones gone awry
like hyperthyroidism
- High blood pressure
- Vertigo
caused by something other than hyperventilation such as Meniere’s syndrome or small chalk crystals rattling about in the inner ear
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Fight-or-flight response to a real danger
- Depression
- Asthma
In other words, there are conditions in which some or many symptoms may overlap with the symptoms of panic attack. Or the two may occur at the same time in the same person.
But these things are not the same as panic attack and must be treated separately. It is also possible that successful treatment of these other things where they occur will help alleviate panic attack symptoms in some degree.
While it is not true that you necessarily have every or any threatening disease or condition that may mimic panic attack, it is true that professional medical oversight is a good idea.
If it turns out “all” you have is panic attack or other anxiety disorder (which is bad enough), in this context that is something for which to be grateful. For one thing, it means you know what you need not worry about all the other challenges. Or if you do have some other condition, you have other means of addressing it that may help with your panic in addition.
If you feel you may have panic attacks or an anxiety disorder, feel free to sign up for your FREE REPORT and mini-course on how to recognize, get a grip on, 
and gain victory over your anxiety and panic attacks.
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