Panic attack symptoms are hard to identify. This ambiguity also tends to make them extremely scary. People do not know what is going on when they experience these symptoms and it tends to freak them out. Panic symptoms typically start manifesting in people between the ages of 15-19... but you can start getting them at any age. If you keep an eye out for certain panic symptoms you will be able to stop anxiety before it starts.

If a subject tends to manifest panic attack symptoms while doing various activities such as shopping or driving them may develop irrational phobias. These phobias cause people to avoid situations that cause panic. Once people build up a pattern of avoidance mundane things start to trigger panic and anxiety.

Panic disorders can wreak havoc on a person's life unless they receive treatment. Children that suffer from panic usually avoid school and dread separation from their parents. If not treated these children are extremely likely to end up taking drugs and using alcohol to dull their feelings.

To the untrained eye panic attacks occur without any warning or apparent cause. Keep a lookout for the following panic attack symptoms:

. Stomach ailments . Chest pains . Severe palpitations . Nausea, lightheadedness and dizziness . Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet . Difficulty with breathing and a sense of choking . Trembling and shaking as well as hot flashes or chills . Perceptual distortions and dream like sensations like fainting

Typically a subject will be overcome with a need to escape... they also become overwhelmed and there is about losing control. People who suffer from panic often state that they feel like they are dying when they have a panic attack.

An episode of panic will typically last for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. It can be tricky identifying panic because the symptoms vary from one person to the next... not all subjects display the same symptoms. This not knowing often causes confusion which leads to more distress.

Panic attack symptoms may also be caused by certain medical conditions such as anemia and hyperthyroidism. Medications such as certain anti-malaria drugs and certain stimulants have been shown to cause the onset of a panic episode. These are things that you should rule out if you believe you are suffering from panic attacks.