A panic attack is a sudden and intense episode of fear and anxiety that causes severe physical symptoms such as racing heart, fast breathing and sweating among others. Mayo Clinic says that the condition “can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.” Panic attacks usually happen even when there is no real danger or apparent cause.

Panic attacks usually peak within minutes and can happen unexpectedly or in situations that your brain perceives as stressful. While it might not life-threatening, it can significantly impact daily life and physical health. To manage the condition, it is important that you know the signs and symptoms. Knowing these signs can help you manage the symptoms of panic attacks.

While sweating, chills, shortness of breath or tightness in your throat, nausea, hot flashes, abdominal cramping, chest pain, headaches and dizziness among others are some of the common symptoms of a panic attack, here, take a look at some of the unusual signs of panic attacks.

People who experience a panic attack may feel disconnected from reality or their own bodies. They might describe the world as dreamlike or as if they are looking at themselves from outside their body. This sensation can be disorienting and increases fear, thereby, making it difficult to recognise the episode as a panic attack.

Panic attacks can cause numbness or tingling sensations, especially in the hands, feet or face. This happens because of lower levels of carbon dioxide in the blood which affects nerve function. While it is not dangerous, these sensations can make people believe they’re experiencing a more serious issue, like a stroke which can worsen the attack.

Sudden waves of heat or chills are common during panic attacks. This is a result of the body’s fight-or-flight response wherein the adrenaline increases heart rate and affects blood flow which leads to changes in temperature. These sensations might be confusing and mimic other conditions.

Many people feel as though they have a lump in their throat or trouble swallowing during a panic attack. This is also known as globus sensation wherein one feels like they’re choking, even when their airway is not blocked. It often causes an increased fear of suffocation.

Panic attacks often cause chest tightness or sharp pain due to the tightening of chest muscles and rapid breathing. The sensation can be similar to that of a heart attack.

This is a lesser-known but common symptom. It is the fear that one might be losing their mind or about to lose control.

Anxiety can affect the digestive system, leading to nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea or the urgent need to use the restroom. This is often overlooked but is linked to the body’s stress response.

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