Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Anxiety (panic) Attack Anxiety is a common response to a life threatening or overwhelming situation, but an anxiety attack can occur when there is no such threat. Anxiety attacks can be quite common in some people.

Hysteria Hysteria, or histrionic disorder, is a condition that causes general lack of self control. Uncontrollable fits of crying or laughter, excessive displays of emotion and imagined illness can be symptoms of hysteria.

Sign and Symptoms Anxiety attack • Feeling of impending doom • Palpitations (feeling that the heart is pounding or racing) • Trembling (adrenalin) • Sweating, possibly profuse • Hyperventilating, shortness of breath • Thirst or trouble swallowing • Nausea or vomiting

Sign and Symptoms Hysteria

• Excessive behaviour including wailing, shouting, beating the chest, or rolling on the ground in displays of emotion. This can be made worse by the presence of an audience. • Hyperventilation, possibly severe enough to cause muscle spasm in the hands and wrists. • Trembling or paralysis. The patient feels they are unable to move.

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