If you suffer from what you think may be panic attacks, the first thing to do is to make a list of your symptoms. This is because although you may indeed be having panic attacks, there's a possibility that you may be suffering from some other neurological disorder, that can mimic the symptoms of a such an attack.

First, what are the panic attack symptoms? Typically, at least three need to occur at the same time for it to be classified as a panic attack:

1. Chest pain or discomfort
2. Dizziness, unsteady feelings, or faintness
3. Flushes or chills
4. Heart palpitations
5. Nausea or abdominal distress such as cramps
6. Numbness or tingling in fingers, toes or lips
7. Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
8. Sweating
9. Trembling or shaking

Now, what physiological disorders can also exhibit these symptoms?

Cardiovascular disorders such as angina pectoris, arrhythmia or coronary artery disease. Respiratory diseases such as asthma or bronchitis. Endocrine or hormonal disorders such as hyperthyroidism or hypoglycemia. Then there's kidney disorders like the various anemia - like folic acid anemia or sickle cell anemia.

Because of the possibility that neurological disorders may be responsible for what may seem to be panic attacks, it's important that you have a complete physical checkup before deciding how you want to go about controlling those panic attacks. Visiting a therapist will also be helpful.

The first time a panic attack occurs, it can be very frightening, as the individual typically won't know what's going on, and indeed may think that they are having a heart attack. However, if such symptoms occur during a particularly stressful moment - going in to interview for a job, breaking up with a significant other, the significance of the symptoms may be ignored until it happens again. If one has more than one panic attack, or at least has the symptoms one could associate with that, again, it's time to visit the doctor.