Connection Between Panic Attacks And Paralysis

Thursday, April 23, 2009 18:55
Posted in category Help

Panic attacks and paralysis are related. At first, there is a psychological aspect. The main feature of an attack is an unmistakable fear that overwhelms the person. This  is sudden and you have no apparent symptoms. On an emotional level, the person has feelings of dying,choking, losing control or going crazy. In the physical body, all of these feelings have no basis, but come from the mind. But all of these emotions are very real.

At this moment the mind of the panic attack sufferer is paralyzed by these thoughts and is unable to separate these false beliefs from reality. When a person is having a panic attack, they will not be able to respond to assurances from well meaning friends or family to “relax” and “stay calm”. They simply can’t do that.

The second stage of panic attacks and paralysis comes on the physical level. Chest pain,shortness of breath, nausea or dizziness make a person incapable of moving. Since panic attacks come on suddenly, this physical paralysis, or cessation of normal movement is very dangerous. Many people who experience frequent panic attacks eventually confine themselves to their homes for fear of getting injured in their work environment or while driving. Although a panic attack 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.

Sleep Paralysis and panic attacks

A third connection between panic attacks and paralysis  is an interesting and sometimes, little known event. Sleep paralysis is ,in fact ,a very short period in which a person is unable to perform any voluntary movements. Such a condition may occur at the beginning of sleep or immediately upon awakening. This type of connection is not considered to be harmful, but does leave the person feeling very frightened. The paralysis disappears  when a sound is heard or someone touches the person. Medical research has found that people who experience daytime panic attacks have a greater chance of experiencing this type of sleep paralysis as well. It’s good to remember that panic attacks can be controlled and even treated with a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

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