The Effects of a Panic Attack Can Be Paralyzing
Thursday, February 28th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
As absurd as it sounds to those non-sufferers out there, those that ever endure a panic attack often experience panic attack paralysis. In severe cases some say that feels like the equivalent of being given a bear hug in the fact that they cannot move. Added to the fact that the attacks can often creep up on you without warning leaving a person breathless and frightened, this can be a very debilitating infliction. But most sufferers do not realize that the disorder is very treatable.
Panic Attack Paralysis
There are several connections between paralysis and panic attacks. The first stage of panic attack paralysis comes on the physical level. Shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea or dizziness make a person incapable of moving. Since panic attacks come on suddenly, this physical paralysis, or cessation of normal movement is especially dangerous. Many people who experience repeated panic attack paralysis eventually confine themselves to their homes for fear of getting injured in their work environment or while driving. Although panic attack paralysis can be relatively short, from seconds to about 20 minutes, this can be a lifetime to the person who is experiencing it. Getting proper treatment for this disorder can allow people to enter life again with confidence.
Second, there is a psychological aspect. The main feature of an attack is an unmistakable fear that overwhelms the person. This comes on suddenly and with no warning. On an emotional level, the person has feelings of choking, dying, losing control or going crazy. All of these feelings have no basis in the physical body, but come from the mind. Yet, all of these emotions are very real. At this moment in the panic attack, the mind is paralyzed by these thoughts and is unable to separate these false beliefs from reality. When a person is in a panic attack, they will not respond to assurances from well meaning friends or family to “relax” and “stay calm”. They simply can’t do that.
Sleep Paralysis and Panic Attack Paralysis
There is another link between panic attacks and paralysis which is quite interesting and not really publicized. This phenomenon is known as sleep paralysis and is basically a short period in time in which a person is unable to execute any intentional movements. People who have experienced this odd characteristic say that it can happen either when they just wake up or when they’ve just fallen asleep. This symptom of panic attack paralysis is not actually harmful in any way and disappears once a person is disturbed through physical contact or audible disturbances. There has been numerous studies in medical research that has found those people who have panic attacks during the day are more likely to experience sleep paralysis at night.
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