Caught in the middle of 5 lanes of traffic in the city in the evening, I suddenly had a 'turn'. My wife noticed and asked what was wrong. I said that I wasn't feeling right and would need to park up somewhere. At that moment I felt 'detached' from myself, not in control of myself, and a bit lightheaded.
Miraculously, I managed to get parked within a few minutes. By this time I was finding it hard to breathe, my heart was thumping fast, I had a slight tightness across my chest, my fingers were tingling, I was disorientated, dizzy, and, I honestly had this real fear that I was going to die from a heart attack!
To cut a long story short, an ambulance was called and I was taken into the back for examination and tests. I was dumfounded -- not to say highly embarrassed -- when they told me I had had an anxiety attack, and not a heart attack.
An anxiety attack? Me, suffering from anxiety? I couldn't believe it! But after seeing my doctor and doing my detailed Internet research, I realized that I wasn't alone, and that it is very common for victims suffering an anxiety attack to firmly believe they are having a heart attack.
You see, typical symptoms of an anxiety attack are; palpitations, dizziness, very fast breathing (hyperventilation), racing / pounding heart, chest / throat tightness, shaking / shivering, sweating, a 'detached from reality' feeling, nausea, etc.
So you can understand how anyone suffering an anxiety attack can be forgiven for fearing that they are suffering a heart attack. And, because they have some symptoms in common, it's vital to seek urgent medical help. Do not self-diagnose.
What I found out through my doctor, was that I was suffering from general anxiety and that something -- probably the traffic -- had triggered the attack. So he gave me a script for antidepressants which is a common approach in managing anxiety.
However, I decided not to start them as I had seen the effects similar medications had on one or two other people I know. And I didn't want to go around in a daze. However, I knew I had to do something fast as I was pretty scared of having another anxiety attack in a similar situation. And I knew that if I did it, it would still be very hard to convince myself that I wasn't having a heart attack. The feelings are just so terrifying.
That's when I successfully researched the Internet for a completely natural way to prevent further anxiety attacks. And the key to it all was to get rid of the 'fear' of having another anxiety attack, which itself often times causes an attack.
Want to find out how to get rid of the 'fear factor' to prevent further anxiety attacks, and also to get rid of your general anxiety? Then go here now http://eliminatepanicattacks.blogspot.com and start to take control of your life again.
