The term “panic attack” is part of our common language. We hear it all the time.
“When I saw the electricity bill I just had a panic attack!” Or, “I had a panic attack when I woke up and saw I was two hours late for work!” Or, “When I realized I’d just eaten a raw oyster I about had a panic attack!” All these statements are inaccurate uses of the term “panic attack,” and are what are called clinomorphisms, or exaggerated use of a medical term.
Panic attacks are no laughing matter, and people who have the real ones cringe when they hear the term bandied about in everyday speech like it was nothing. They know the feeling that you are about to die, the intense fear, and the sudden onset are far more than what most people think of as a “panic attack.”
So how does it really feel to have a panic attack? Few people, aside from panic attack sufferers themselves, really know. It’s the purpose of this post to give you an insider’s view of what it actually feels like to have a panic attack.
What exactly is a panic or anxiety attack?
Sudden surge of overwhelming fear
A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that comes without warning and without any obvious reason. It is far more intense than the feeling of being “stressed out” that most people experience. A panic attack is marked by:
- Occurring suddenly, without any warning and without any way to stop it.
- The level of fear is way out of proportion to the actual situation, and is often completely unrelated.
- It passes in a few minutes, however, repeated attacks can continue to recur for hours.
For detailed information on panic attacks, please see the “Panic Attacks” reference article, For help making it through a panic attack, see the post, “Are You Having a Panic Attack? What Can You Do?“
What do psychiatrists say are the symptoms of a panic attack?
The “official” criteria for panic attacks
First, let’s get the “official” criteria for determining whether what you are feeling is a panic attack or not. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatric Association is the standard for diagnosis of mental disorders all over the world.
It requires that at least four of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes for a diagnosis of panic attack:
1. Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
2. Sweating
3. Trembling or shaking
4. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
5. Feeling of choking
6. Chest pain or discomfort
7. Nausea or abdominal distress
8. Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
9. Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
10. Fear of losing control or going crazy
11. Fear of dying
12. Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)
13. Chills or hot flushes
My panic attacks
Muscle constrictions, pounding heart, weakness and tingling, and fear of losing control
I hesitate to insert a personal side to this post, but since I have first-hand knowledge of how it feels to have a panic attack, I believe it is appropriate to describe mine. Each of my panic attacks is a little different, but all follow the same general outline: muscle constrictions, pounding heart, weakness and tingling, and fear of losing control and fainting.
My panic attacks start with muscle constrictions and tingling around the eyes, then the feeling spreads to my mouth and lower face. I develop a headache and feel a choking muscle constriction in my neck and tightening of my chest. There is a funny feeling in my chest, like shooting electricity. My heart starts pounding, my breathing is constricted and I feel very weak, especially in my arms and hands. A tingly feeling spreads over my whole body. I have a sense of unreality, of watching myself from a distance, and a growing fear of being unable to control myself. As things escalate, I desperately look for someplace — any place — to escape to. At its peak, I feel like I am going to faint and if things continue, I will surely die.
What do others say are their symptoms during a panic attack?
An informal compiled list of symptoms
Panic attacks are by their nature subjective experiences, and like all subjective experiences, are open to the interpretation and description of the sufferer. Following is an informal compiled list of symptoms from Wikipedia. They are grouped under “physical,” “mental,” “emotional,” and “perceptual” headings:
Physical
- A sensation of adrenaline going through your entire body
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Stomach Problems (spastic colon)
- Racing or pounding heartbeat or palpitations
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea or stomach pains
- Hyperventilation
- Choking or smothering sensations
- Hot flashes
- Cold flashes
- Tingling or numbness in the hands, face, feet or mouth (paresthesia)
- Feelings of “crawly,” “itchy,” or “cringy” skin sensations.
- Burning sensations
- Trembling or shaking
- Feeling of claustrophobia
- Feeling like the body is shutting down and/or dying
- Tremors in the legs and thighs
- Tingling spine
- Feeling like one is experiencing a heart attack
- Exhaustion
- Muscle spasms
- Feeling of physical weakness or limpness of the body
- Grinding teeth or tensing other muscles repeatedly or for prolonged periods of time
- Temporary blindness
- Sizzling or ringing in ears
Mental
- Intense and/or frightening realizations of reality
- Loss of the ability to react logically to stimuli
- Loss of cognitive ability in general
- Racing thoughts (often based on fear)
- Irrational thoughts
- Loud internal dialogue
- Feeling like nothing is real
- Feeling of impending doom
- Feeling of “going crazy”
- Feeling out of control
- Feeling like no one understands what is happening
- Vision is somewhat impaired (eyes may feel like they are shaking.)
- Feeling like you are going to die any second
- Avoidance behavior
- Agoraphobia
Emotional
- Terror, or a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless to prevent it
- Fear that the panic is a symptom of a serious illness
- Fear that the panic will not subside
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of death
- Fear of living
- Fear of going crazy
- Flashbacks to earlier panic trigger
- Intense “scared” feeling
- Fear of failure
Perceptual
- Tunnel vision
- Heightened senses
- The apparent slowing down or speeding up of time
- Dream-like sensation or perceptual distortion (derealization)
- Dissociation, or the perception that one is not connected to the body or is disconnected from space and time (depersonalization)
- Feeling of loss of free will, as if acting entirely automatically without control
If you think that you are having panic attacks…
Panic attacks are not dangerous in themselves
If you are experiencing four or more of the symptoms listed by the DSM-IV for panic attacks within 10 minutes, you need to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Panic attacks are not dangerous in and of themselves, though you often feel like you’re dying. But the avoidance of the situations that trigger panic attacks can very rapidly lead to a severe constriction of your life, to Panic Disorder, and to Agoraphobia. The danger is not in the panic attacks, but in what they can lead to.
Panic attacks are one of the most treatable of the Anxiety Disorders, and many times a mental health professional can help you manage them without the use of drugs. The course of treatments is often not very long, and you will have the ability to control your condition for the rest of your life.
What do you think?
- Do you have panic attack symptoms that are not listed here?
- Can you describe your own panic attacks?
- What do you think of people who misuse the term “panic attack?”
What can you do now?
Your comments are always welcome, and are important to this blog’s community! Leave a comment now.
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©2008 Anxiety, Panic & Health. All rights reserved.
Resources used in this post:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. 1994.
Wikipedia. (2008). Panic attack. Retrieved June 28, 2008 from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_attack
Related Posts:
- Are You Having a Panic Attack? What Can You Do?
- Conquering Your Panic: Dave’s Success Story
- Can Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks Be Cured?
- Anxiety Disorders: Just What Are They? – Part 2
- Anxiety Sensitivity Linked To Future Psychological Disorders
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hi there , first i want to thank you so much for this article it really helped me just to see that im not the only one who suffers from this.
Im a female Im 18 years old and ive been suffering from panic attacks alot all of its 13 effect is actually really happening with me it doesnt happen daily and its unexpected it lasts for a whole night and the other day and sometimes a bit more i read about panic attacks treatment like holding my breathe and lit it out in a sudden it made me relax a bit and i felt better but please i want to know is their any other things i can do rather than holding my breathe and calming my self down ?
When i had my second panic attack today it was far worse than the first. My heartbeat was strong i thought it was going to explode, it was making theese sounds similar to a stomach growl. It felt like i was drowning from the inside, i was having trouble breathing and thought that this is it, this is were my life ends. I was going insane. One hour later it was fine. A panic attack is terrifying, im only 15 and i thought i was going to die of a heartattack.
Reading this helped me a lot. It makes you realize that someone DOES know what you are going through and your NOT going to die..and that makes you feel at ease. I am a 16 year old female. I have been suffering from panic attacks for 3 years. The worst of all the symptoms to me is the de-personilization and de-realization and how the body feels like it is shutting down. That is the worst feeling ever. I mainly have all the symptoms on here but I have come a long way since when I first started having them, they were terrible. I haven’t had one for about 7 months..until tonight. Tonights panic attack was a bad one like they were in the beginning. I am glad I know now what I know though because it used to feel like I would never get over it, but using simple breathing tecniques and reasurring myself has been making the panic attacks go away quicker, and make me feel better afterwards. good luck to anyone out there with this diagnosis, it is NOT fun and it can make your life very miserable….unless you get help. :)
PLEASE READ ALL!
This is honestly, by far the most helpful article I have come across. I am 24 and have been experiencing SEVER! panic disorder for almost 10 years now. I have times in life where I circle around to bright sides and feel as if panic attacks are very close to being a thing of the past and then I have one and I am thrown back into a vicious cycle. The aftermath and fear that comes from one panic attack are terrible. It seems like I stay scared and constantly anxious with thoughts of another attack from the time that my eyes opening in the morning to laying in bed attempting to fall asleep at night. This is nothing short of crippling. Even though I have seen specialists and been through cognitive and behavioral studies and programs to turn my life around, I have never actually spoken to anyone with this actual disorder and the people around never seem to grasp it for what it actually is. In the middle of a panic attack, the worst thing to hear is “Calm down, everything is going to be ok, you know it is just a panic attack and you are just freaking yourself out”! It is a lonely feeling, as if you are the only one who can get close to grasping this horrible and unexplainable thing that happens and it is so frustrating. I am having a hard time in life right now dealing with panic attacks again and the aftermath of constant and overwhelming fear of everyday life and for the first time I am sitting down and reading online. I have read so many articles and this one really made me feel a peace inside that I have not felt before. I was actually ecstatic at times saying things like, “Oh my gosh that is so true!” and “I really do feel like no matter what anyone says that my logical thinking is out the window and I KNOW that I am dying!” These feelings and thought really do happen and it is important to know that you aren’t alone, because it sure does feel like it:( I have heard doctors say these things may happen, but I have never experienced someone who has them. I feel as if the doctors are just reading a script sometimes, because they couldn’t possibly understand unless they have had at least one attack before.
Sorry this is so long, but I am just kind of in a low time right now and I guess this is my form of venting. It was supposed to be a MAJOR KUDOS, because you made my night and probably at least my weekend. I am going to save this page as well, because I want to reference it to things I have told the close ones in my life that still just don’t understand. Thanks again and like I said before, I am a mess in life right now, because I am so tired! After 10 years almost, you’d think I would know the facts and everything about them enough to be able to keep my composure in life and live somewhat normal, but this is the only thing that I have ever experienced that gets harder with time. I feel like the more that I have them, that the more it sinks in that this is a forever type of deal. I have heard of people being cured and I pray so much, but I think I just need to accept that this is me and it will always be me. I have been on every medicine under the sun and am currently taking some that is great, but I digressed again…
What I was trying to say is that if anyone reads this long drawn out statement, even though I am a mess..I am here and if you feel like you can’t handle it anymore and you feel that you want to end life or even just want to talk, please contact me!!! Don’t be freaked out. Trust me, everyone needs to talk about it. I have made an email just for you to contact me and will check it regularly. This email is panicattackman@yahoo.com . It is time that I reach out. I have dealt with it for a long time and I want everyone to know that no matter how bad it gets, you are not alone and there is NEVER a reason to end life PLEASE!
To the maker of the post, Mike, thank you again my friend. To take your time to make the article and even the picture of The Screamer at the top made my night and made me feel so much less alone in a really dark time and that means a lot. Thanks!
Well, while you may be Rare, you are definitely not alone. And not all that rare either. There are people all around you which suffer from various levels of anxiety, some of which go through what you and I (formerly) and many others go through.
I pray that you will find relief from this horrible thing. It definitely does not have to be “your life” forever! By the way, have you read this other post ( http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/07/10/can-anxiety-disorder-and-panic-attacks-be-cured/ ). It has many examples of things people have tried, etc. While Mike’s initial view was “perhaps not” (hope I’m remembering it correctly. If not, Sorry Mike :-)), I think you’ll see many positive, life changing things in the subsequent Comments.
Yes, thank you again Mike for your awesome site!!
Dave
Sat. am. i got out of bed and within 25 seconds I had this horrible rushing feeling go through my whole body like voltage or something then I couldnt breathe. literally I couldnt breathe. It lasted about 50 seconds, now today all I am is scared, I dont know if this was a panic attack or not. Just to let you know I used to always be dizzy, I was on ativan for 10 yrs. now i havent taken them for the last 5 yrs. but I do see a pychiatrist and I am on a med called quetiapine, but Ive never had this hoiblefeeling before, I was so petrified and still am
What you describe is very similar to the episodes I’ve had for the last several years. I never experienced anything like this before I was put on psychotropic medications. After being on them for 20 years, I decided to get off of them. I am currently using the Road Back Program (theroadbackprogram.com) to successfully taper off of this anti-depressant -Celexa. I strongly recommend this nutritional supplement program to any and all who want to get back to “normal”. These nutritional supplements undo the damage to the brain chemistry caused by psych meds, as well as street drugs. Your doctor probably doesn’t even know about this program because it isn’t made by the pharmaceutical industry. They are purely natural products and they actually do what they say they do. After taking them for only two days I felt relief, no anxiety, no more terrifying “panic attacks”, I am sleeping at night and I don’t feel medicated – because I am not. Please consider getting off of those stupid head meds. You do not need them. Your brain needs nutrition, not medication! I don’t care what your psyciatrist says – they have no idea what they put us through. We are not guinea pigs. Blessings to you my friend. You are among the bravest people in the world!
I have been experiencing panic attacks for awhile. I am 26 yrs. old, a mom of a 15 month old and recently went back to the work force.
I feel overwhelmed when I get a panic attack, I feel like I can’t go on with my life, I have even thought about the solution…as in not living. ..as horrible as it sounds.
I have a lot to live for, but these panic attacks just make me feel helpless. Now I have gone through a lot of difficult situations in my life…and it makes me feel like worst things are to come…
I need help, I tried asking my doctor, she says I am perfectly normal, its just stress. It gets worst when its sunny out…cant explain it…also driving I feel like I am going to loose control or die……………………Does anyone feel similar?
My story:
http://rachaelhope.wordpress.com/
Thank You! I have dealt with Anxiety, Panic and depression for many years while maintaining a high stress sales position. I don’t know how I’ve been able to do this as I panic and procrastinate when trying to make appointments to visit customers. I hate my job, but have three children in college and need more than a six figure salary to survive. I’ve often prayed to die in my sleep. I no longer mask my illness with Alcohol or Drugs, but take a lot of meds. When the onset of a panic attack starts I feel like I can’t breathe. The next symptom is the toughest especially when in front of a customer. The room gets small I can’t concentrate on what’s being discussed, it gets extremely hot and I start sweating bullets. The more I think about the sweat the worse it gets and the more I panic. If it wasn’t for the sweat I could get by, but that worrying makes me feel sick and immediately after I excuse myself my the IBS type sytems kick in. I’ve’d used many excuses; my favorite is I’ve eaten something that I must be allergic to. I now work with Alcoholics and addicts in what little free time I have. I’m also a Member of NAMI helping with the stigma of mental illness. My daughter is bi-polar; has border line personality disorder and dual diagnosis as well. This leaves me to suck it up; hide my illness as much as possible and be the strong one. It’s not easy and I wish I could or work with people as I’m VERY well liked and great with people.
Thank you so much for the articles.
They are very informative.
Indeed, you’ve done a great job with this blog!
Here’s a site I recently visited. They have practical
and effective advices to help you gain control over panic attacks.
http://2f0b7lqkvgn0oamakil2oubn5w.hop.clickbank.net/
Panic attacks happen when we lose control of our thoughts
and our fears.
And then it subsides when we realize that nothing can harm us,
that’s because our mind finally brought us back to our senses.
Remember, we are responsible for our body so live healthy and
free yourself from negative thoughts and feelings.
Gaining control over our thoughts and reactions is the first step
in gaining control over panic attacks.
http://www.bestpanicattackremedies.org
From my research, anxiety is a state of mind. However, physiological and chemical interactions on the brain can play a role in the process. Would you agree?
Great article.
I have been having full-blown panic attacks for years and not once has one lasted “only a few minutes”. At minimum, they last a couple of hours. Panic attacks are debilitating.
Franca´s last blog ..Pre-Op Fears
Franca,
In regard to waking up during surgery. It happens all the time to ex-addicts/alcoholics/ people who take lots of pain meds etc. It’s not at all to build a tolerance to medication/drugs. If you’re honest with your doctors they will make sure you stay sedated/asleep. Trust me on this one!
I come from a family with a long line of people wiht panic disorders. In a way its a blessing because my family knows what im going though and we all are there to support eachother during them. IF you have one in public the last hing you want to hear from somone who has never experienced one to “relax its ok” because in realilty is not helpfull. however talking to someone whom has had them really helps me. I would urge everyone to talk to others who deal with this. It really helps
Thank you so much for this article.
I have been dealing with panic disorder and double depression for over 10 years now. It has cost me so much in my life; friends, jobs, a “real” life. Seriously, anyone that can live with this, in my books are the strongest people around. Its something that needs constant attention, whether its trying to control it or preventing it from taking over. Its always on your mind.
Best wishes
Today was the first time i ever experienced a panic attack. After a verbal fight with my spouse i felt like i was frozen in place for about 30seconds,then my heartbeat just skyrocket and i felt a terrifying fear and a sense of helplessness. Then the tears just came poring down and i was unable to function. I went into the bedroom crying and with difficulty breathing . My breathing
came back to me slowly.but it took about one hour for me to finally calm down.next time i will go to the er.
Hi,
Today I had my second panic attack (or so I think that what it was). A little less than a year ago I think I had my first one. Well today, I was in the movie theatre with my friend. I was very clam. We were watching a comedy. I had no thoughts or worries going through my mind. Then it started…my chest felt like it was tightning, and I got a very warm feeling in my upper body. My tongue felt “fuzzy” and my heartbeat was extreamly fast. My vision was a little dizzy. I told my friend I wasn’t feeling good and I thought I was going to faint. She began rubbing my back. She said my back was very warm. After about 5 minutes I left the theatre and went to the bathroom. I put cold water on my face. I felt a little better but when I returned to the theatre I had the same feelings again. My heart rate was very high. I was scared, very scared. I almost wanted to ask my friend to drive me to the hospital. But I didn’t. By the time the movie ended I felt better. We walked around the mall and I still felt a little “out of it” mostly with my vision. Things just didn’t seem as clear to me as usual. Now 4 hours later I feel okay. I’m just scared that this will happen to me again. Can someone please tell me if this is a panic attack and not symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Last year when I had this I did go to the ER and all the tests came back normal. I am only 31 years old and do not think I have heart problmes. My cardioekogram was normal last year. Please help me!
Hi Tara,
Sorry that you had to experience that. My first panic attack was in a theater and progressed basically just like you described. I did end up going to the ER, where they told me I was fine after running various tests. Followup with my doctor, who then began to educate me about panic attacks.
Of course, only a medical doctor can diagnose your symptoms for sure. Mike (the author of this site) does have many articles on panic attacks, one of which describes what they are like: see http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/08/19/are-you-having-a-panic-attack-what-can-you-do .
I experienced panic attacks for 10+ years and was fortunate to eventually find a way to control/prevent them. I would urge you to pursue getting down to the bottom of this for you; don’t let it wait. I believe that the longer you wait (and have more and more attacks), the longer and harder it will be to undo this.
(Further information about my experience with panic attacks and ways to treatment can be found in http://anxietypanichealth.com/2009/01/08/conquering-your-panic-daves-success-story ).
Take care,
Dave
Please help!!! I’ve always had anxiety but it just SKY ROCKETED AT ITS WORST. I was in a car accident and went to a chiropractor and have not felt the same since. He had me on a drop table. I have pains in my neck and head now everyday. Its been 5 days and Ive read so many sites about all these people having a stroke from seeing a chiro. I cant work , eat, drink or sleep. I feel like my life is passing me by. The only thing I want to do is read about chiropractors and how they cause strokes. I feel like there is something wrong with me and they cant figure it out :(. I went to my regular doctor and he thinks i wont have a stroke. Why dont I beleive him?
I hate hate hate when the pain comes on because I feel like Im going to dye. I go into another world and I shake. I hate my life now Im never happy. Im so afraid I will be like this forever or Im going to drop dead from seeing the chiropractor. Could he of done something to me that released something in my brain that made me have 100% anxiety 24/7?
Before my anxiety with the chiropractor I was never leaving the house, never going over bridges, never being around crowds nothing nothing nothing. I never do anything with my family NOW ITS 100 TIMES WORSE.
Can someone help me with this? Do you think the chiropractor did something to me?
Hi there. I think I had my first panick attack today…
I’m 25 and an accountant working in a very busy finance team for a fashion house and i’m also studying towards the Chartered Accountant qualification. In the last few weeks I’ve been working back to 8-10pm most nights and also being stressed about my CA exam… I’ve had a headache for the last 2 days, a deep headache that hurts around the eyes and nose (sinus migraine). I took advil and it helped a little, then after a few hours it came back and so I took a Sudafed… About 45 mins later, as I was drafting an e-mail i began to feel really hot and my face become so flushed that I thought my face was on fire. I went up to my colleague to tell her I wasn’t feeling well and she commented on how red I was. At this stage my heart was pounding extremely fast and suddenly I felt like I was dying. I grabbed my colleague by the shirt and yelled “help me, help me, i’m dying!”… I then let go and rushed to my little drawer to get some rice crackers, as I thought maybe the Sudafed had made me feel this way. I skulled lots of water and then began hyperventilating… i then started to cry as I really thought I nearly carked it…. I left work early but haven’t yet gone to the doc. Was this a panick attack? I keep sighing and breathing out a lot…. and i feel like my chest is a little tight….. never want to feel this way again! And i’m off to europe for a 5 week holiday but this has scared the living day lights out of me…
I Just had a major Panic Attack. I usually get them only around bed time. I think it’s because i try to unwind and think about anything and everything. My symptoms are my muscles start twitching and then i start to shake uncontrollablly. I feel like i am dying,sometime’s i can’t get my breath. I get real cold. I take Xanax when this happens, and usually within 10 minutes i feel better. I know i am not hooked on them because i have only took 60 of them in a year. See i even worry about taking too much Pills. I am a mess. I take Paxil as a regular medicine, but i tend to skip a few days or so sometimes, and i know it won’t help unless i take them everyday. But i have also noticed i have dreams. I dream all night long. I just need someone too let me know i am not alone in this battle. Does anybody have these symptoms i am having also?
I was wondering if i am addicted to Xanax. I have took 60 Pills in a year. I use tem only when i have a bad Panic attack or really nervous. Does this sound addictive?
this is exactly what a panic attack entails for me. it starts when i start to feel unreal. (derealization) and everything seems louder than it should be. my vision becomes a bit unfocused and i feel slightly dizzy. during the attacks im very afraid to be around certain people because Im scared i will cause a scene. i feel like this and remember previous panic attacks and so it escalates. my head begins to feel very hot, i get tunnel vision my heart feels like its stopping and its like ice goes through it. i think that im dying and theres no way to stop it. after it subsides a little i have trouble focusing on thoughts and my whole body trembles. i feel a bit scared and paranoid after all this and the derealization sets in big time. after all the panic symptoms leave i feel a sense of relief. (very brief) and then i go back to normal. this takes a few hours. panic attacks scare me intensley, it takes me awhile to get my mind back in order. im 15 years old and nothing im doing is seeming to help. breathing medicine etc. any advice? that actually works?
I suppose what is really frightening is the fear that these symptoms could be something other than a panic attack.
This has been happening to me for a year and I don’t really know why. Like just now. I was on the computer when I realized my face, lips and tongue we numb and tingly, and my hands felt numb, and my body all over just felt “strange.” So of course my heart speeds up. Take my blood pressure and it’s higher than usual for me. I feel on the verge of passing out, but I know I’m not going to. I get that whole “fight or flight” urge going.
And the thing that freaks me out the most is the wondering: is it a panic attack, or something else? How does one tell? I suppose going to the doctor would be one way, but then I suspect that “anxiety” is a common answer of theirs without other more obvious symptoms and so I’m hesitant to do so. Very aggravating.
How do I know that it is or is not a panic attack? I believe that I have had them but my husband doesn’t believe me. He said that if I was really having a panic attack that I wouldn’t be able to move and that I would be feeling like I was being dragged down to Hell because that is what he has experienced.
Hi Karen,
While everyone’s experiences of a panic attack can be different, there are many common characteristics. You don’t have to feel all of them in an attack, and in fact you won’t. And what you experience depends also on how long it has been happening, the severity, etc.
So it is very possible that your symptoms can be different than something that your husband has experienced.
A great book that both describes this disorder as well as how to cope and overcome it is “Overcoming Panic, Anxiety and Phobias: New Strategies to Free Yourself from Worry and Fear” by Shirley Babior (http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Panic-Anxiety-Phobias-Strategies/dp/1570250723). There are also descriptions of what it means to have a panic attack on this site (see http://anxietypanichealth.com/reference/panic-attack/).
You are on the right path – learning about what this is all about is the first step!
Dave
I had my first panic attack at 19 years old. I was a sophomore in college. I will never forget that day as long as I live. I was in the dining hall, eating dinner like I had done many times before when all of a sudden the energy drained out of my body. I was convinced I was having a stroke. I looked at my hands…they looked like they weren’t part of my body. I panicked more because I was sooo scared of the feeling. I felt hot, cold, smothered, dizzy, outside of my body!! I got out of that room as fast as I could and for the next several years, I read everything I could find on the subject. I tried therapies, counseling, self medicating, etc. I did not want to have to take meds. Well, I don’t know how many years ago it has been, but I learned from a very respected doctor that panic attacks and depression go hand in hand. Needless to say, after years of experiencing terrifying panic, you would expect to be depressed. But what I learned is that I did not need an anti-anxiety medication, I needed an anti-depressant! I am very pleased with how I feel – I’m not high, I’m not low, I feel very balanced. I am able to go about my daily routine and actually live life! I am not keeping myself on the sidelines waiting for the next panic episode or carefully planning where I can and can’t go. There are no limits! And there is NO shame in taking a prescribed pill to help balance the chemicals in my brain. Another thing I want to add…and this took me some time to do….DON’T FIGHT THE PANIC. Try to observe it….if you try very hard not to attach an additional feeling to it, it will subside. Don’t judge the sensation…just say to yourself something like, “Oh look, there goes my hands feeling funny”, or “my heart is racing right now. I won’t add to it. I will just observe it”. Best of luck to everyone! It’s been almost 30 years since my first panic attack by the way so I feel like I know a little something about it :). Feel free to email me.
had one today .ttack -at grocey store. rt side of face felled numb-t hand start sweating . heart beating fast.
Hi Hayley,
I never usually comment on theeses things, but when I read what you wrote I felt a strong urge to send you a message. Maybe a higher power at work who knows. I have to tell you that I to was having my neck cracked once a week by a chriopractor and after months of going a friend of mine told me that can cause a stroke. I went the next week and afterward out with a group of friends became very dizzy. I thought that I was going to freak out. In retrospect I know that the power of what I believe to be true, be it real or unreal is very powerful. I must tell you that in my opinion the chropriacor did NOT cause what you are feeling. You cause what you are feeling by your racing thoughts and you give them all power. I find it helpful to ignore them. For example, OMG we are crossing a bridge, it is high, it could collaspe, we would all die, etc. when that enters think instead , Oh thats just my anxiety again maybe I will let you in later I am busy right now enjoying my life. As far as the pain is concerned try acupuncture. Hope you are feeling better.
I wish I had never heard of Ativan or any of the many anti-depressants I have been prescribed. If I don’t take the Ativan, I “fall apart”. The anti-depressants help very little. The medication part has been going on for six years, but I have had mild to quite severe depression since childhood, and I am into my sixties now!
I have no hope. Some days a just better than others.
The explanations of the many different symptoms of a panic attack were excellent. With all of my reading and searching, I had not come across anything as thorough. Panic attacks are hideous. Although I never “felt like I was dying”, I just wished I could! I haven’t had one in a few years, but I am now addicted to pills for these attacks, and have no hope of ever recovering.
Let me add something. When I was in college, my therapist recommended reading books by Claire Weeks. She has an excellent grasp on the condition.
Go to your bookstore and buy her books. They are excellent! She gives practical advice on panic, anxiety, agoraphobia, etc. DON’T GO THROUGH LIFE BEING AFRAID :)
Thanks, Diane, from me and anyone else who read your post. I’ll look for works by Claire Weeks today! Love to all of you…
Thanks for the great article and to everyone else for the great comments. It’s a comfort to know you’re not alone. The descriptions I’ve read : can’t breathe, tight chest, tunnel vision, thought of losing it/loosing your mind, tingly hands & stroke sypmtoms, messed up bowels and stomach, impending doom and death…it’s all so familiar. I’ve never written on any blog or board before but I’ve never found one like this that has been so helpful to read. Thank you all.
It’s all very interesting to see how many cases involve a drug induced control to counteract panic attacks. Being an 18 year old boy, and born of competitive nature, and paranoia. I often have panic attacks, and avoid any drug induced control. Mainly because the body develops reliance on the chemical, and due to the effect of the being temporary. There are methods for which i have searched all over for a cure, and no there is no cure. But there is a solution to escape panic attacks.
Meditation.
Exercise.
Being around people, being social
I have even gone as far as opening pages to Qi Gong, which is really helpful. trust me, I’m a Critic.
I hope this helps, because it helped me.
Never experienced anything like the things we have been talking about here until I was almost sixty years of age, and it was montrous…completely changed daily life for me. Had never even heard of such things before. I listen to the voice of experience when it comes to how to handle serious things, and that takes living for a while.
Until then, I was full of enthusiasm, ate only whole foods, enjoyed exercising everyday, and had a full social life. I still got it right between the eyes! Why? I still do not know. Are you a full grown adult? Then I would be pleased to listen to what you have to say.
Does anybody still monitor the comments for this article, or is too old?
FWIW, I would like to add that, while I have heard many times people say that a panic/anxiety attack makes them”feel like they are dying,” for me it is not so much that I feel like I am dying at just that moment. Rather, it is the sudden realization that somedayI will die, that someday I will perish from this earth, that someday, but not necessarily today (I hope) I will no longer exist. It’s the “someday” part that gets me and the fact that I have no control over it. I have never, not even once, heard anyone else describe their attacks in the same way. In fact, I have always referred to my own attacks as “death anxiety attacks.” The distinction between my experience and those of others is that my attacks ALWAYS begin with this thought, the thought of dying someday, which is then followed by the physical symptoms.
In any case I would very much like to know what, if anything, it means that my experience mirrors, yet is actually quite different from, what seems to be the usual experience with panic/anxiety attacks. As I said, I am ALWAYS afflicted with the thought first, and it is only after my mind starts to race with these thoughts that I begin to manifest physical changes. Even so, I never feel like I am “going to die” just then, never feel like I am having a heart attack or that I am going to pass out. That’s not to say that the attack doesn’t scare the absolute sh*t out of me! (I had one attack when my ex-husband was present and it scared the heck out of him, too. He said later that he was afraid I would not come back to normal, because my lips turned white.) I generally end up feeling jumpy and jittery, and I must run or pace the room very quickly, which ultimately helps to calm me. It helps also to talk out loud, or whisper out loud if others are in the vicinity and so as not to upset them.
I had my first attack at 22 years old. The worst one (when my lips turned white) was when I was 31. I am now 51 and have them only infrequently. I have come to the realization that the attacks come upon me when I am feeling the most trapped by whatever the circumstances may be, whether an unsupportive and/or abusive spouse, a perilous financial state, a dead-end job, the realization that I have not fulfilled my dreams and may not get the chance, etc; bascially, feelings of insecurity, loss of freedom and choices, and not living up to potential. The reason I experience so few attacks these days is because–although it took me 51 years to do so–I have created a life that works best for me. It took a lot of work, soul searching, and sacrifices, and others might look at my life and shake their heads, but it works for me and that is all that matters. So, I say to those similarly afflicted, take care of yourself first. Learn to be a little selfish. Don’t try to live up to the expectations of others. Nobody can know exactly what life is like for you except you. And finally, life is too short (don’t I know it) to waste trying to adapt yourself to society’s impossible standards. Besides, the rest of society is probably just as bewildered as you are!
I am afraid I have ended up rambling on and on, but if someone else sees a kindred spirit within this life I have just described and realizes they are not alone, then I haven’t rambled for naught! Thanks for reading. :)
To “As well as can be expected”, Mine often start with the thoughts that death is going to happen in the future. My head races from there, and then all of this sudden the thought of someday turns into RIGHT NOW and the symptoms begin. That’s about half of the time. My kids are young still and they need me to be here with them. My mind kind of flashes forward to strange things like “what if I die before they get married? What if I die before they have children? Who will help them with their own kids if they need a babysitter or advice? Granted they are 4 and 9 right not so this is a long time from today. But my mind just runs with it if the slightest little question pops into my thoughts. I only found this board recently, about 3 weeks ago. I’ve “lurked” around, reading boards for years and I found this one, followed it for a bit and finally got up the guts to actually put comments in. The other half of my stupid panic attacks are just as people describe here…One little twinge of anything and I think it’s the beginning of my death. Mine are down to about once per month but that doesn’t mean that I feel *normal* the rest of the days. Every morning I’m anxious. Every afternoon I’m anxious. Every evening I’m anxious. Bedtime is often the worst because I lay there and just think about the day. It’s so hard to keep replacing the bad thoughts with something positive when it’s a task you have to keep up with alllllllll day long. I think that might be why I get the full blown attacks every month or so….I guess I get tired of working with my thoughts and then it just comes out. My first ones started when I was in my early 20′s- I think 22. They used to come on every night at bedtime and they would last about 15-20 minutes. Now the past year they are down to about once every 4 or 5 weeks BUT they don’t end so fast. 2 attacks ago it simply wouldn’t end. I ended up going to the ER and felt like a complete idiot. I was scared thought because it would taper down and then just when I thought I was “safe” it would come right back on full force. After 2 hours of this see-saw and thinking I was going to be forever stuck in this state, I made my husband take me. My last one (just before this post) started as the “death is going to happen…what will my kids do if they are not adults yet” type and once again it wouldn’t stop. It let go a bit after 20 minutes but then came right back and there it went again…the never ending panic attack. My mother (who has had them too her whole life) actually came to my house at 1 am and started to think something was really wrong. As soon as she agreed that I needed to go to the hospital then it started to let up. I was really trying to control my thoughts and trying to say over and over in my head that THIS is right now and I can’t focus on 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, etc. Thanks for reading if you managed to get this far. I kind of rambled quite a bit but as I type this I am (of course) trying to work myself out of anxiety and it kind of helped to type about it.
To all here: There is nothing for you to criticize about yourself; I am so pleased to read the comments of those—though wounded—who are seeking help. We can help one another by telling our experiences, sharing those things that bring us closer to healing, and giving encouragement.
You are right about the variations of the symptoms. I first noticed something I suppose sounded odd at the time several years ago, but I now realize was the opening of worse things to come. My husband had purchased a book for me, and in it was listed the birth and the death year of various celebrities that he knew interested me. Everyday I opened that book, and eagerly looked up the death years. It was actually enjoyable! Why? Part of my oncoming illness, I believe. When the panic attacks began, they did not last minutes or hours, but rather I trembled and cried for days afterwards—felt weak and confused. I had feelings that nothing had ever been good, it wasn’t good now, and it never would be good!
And I saw no worth in my existence, and felt that I had completely messed up in raising my four children.
I just had a panic attack last night, one of the worst thing ever in my life. I have asthma, no insurence, and have been saving my last inhaleer shot of albuterol, I have had some severe attacks but just sat up for hours and did breathing exercises to get thru, just knowing that if I just save that last puff I have a life line and will not die. Asthma attacks are horrible, but I was neveractually afraid I was going to die, I have weak lungs my whole life and always breathing problems. I recently got the flu, very bad. Such major congestion nights of half sleeping sitting up, waking up to realize I had not breathed in who knows how long, so I panicked and used my precious last inhaler puff, because the flu chest congestion feels like asthma. It did nothing to help. I lost it! Not only could I not breathe but I wasted my lifeline! I was reading in the living room and my skin started to crawl, feelings or doom over took me, I decided to shower to try a shower to loosen my chest, in shower I felt like I was looking thru a mirror at a scene in a movie where I was about to die, I started talking to my hand (never done anything crazy like that before) started rolling my head around meck and hearing a voice in my head (this is a first also) felt like I couldn’t stand but was helpless to move, got out of shower and went and sat with husband in living room where he was reading. I sat in the chair, thinking of how much I would miss him, how I didn’t waant to die, about how part of me wanted to kill myself, I wanted to go screaming out into the dark of night waving my arms and saying I’m dying I’m dying I’m dying! I started to cry and he asked what’s wrong I told him everything and my limbs were pins and needles, my eyesight was flickering dread doom and death. He put his ear to my lips and counted as I weezed in and out, he said, you are breathing enough to live, he held my hand and took me in bathroom and got kava kava pills herbal unstress pills and all kinds of natural relaxers, and talked me down, it took about 30 form the beginning till I felt okay again. I’m glaad I saw this article.
I thought I was having a heart attack. All of the symptoms seem legit. But it has been days and I don’t feel 100 percent normal. I still feel shaky and alittle weak. Is this normal?
Bernadette, it certainly isn’t unusual for you to be feeling shaky and weak although the anxiety attack itself has passed. I have felt the same. You have been through something that is quite upsetting and even puzzling, so perhaps you feel that you are “on alert”, and are afraid you will have another episode.
I had a panic attack which my cousin was in the the room, one thing it didnt mention was uncontrollable and hysterical crying. I couldnt breath, my body went numb and i was shaking with cold sweat but i was also unable to stop screaming. I tried but i couldnt stop. It was like my mouth was held open and rigid, i couldnt move it or shut it. I was making involuntary cries that sounded a bit like loud long moan. It was horrific. My cousin was messaging my hands. Its one my most painful memories. I cry every time i remember it.
Dawne, if nothing else, panic attacks are definitely memorable. The things you wrote also show that the manifestations of one are so varied. It sounds laughable to some, but I filled our bathtub, and jumped into it—screaming all the way!
I believe that while you are seeking and getting help for this, enough time will pass that the thoughts of another panic attack will soften and even disappear. You are gaining in strength each day.
I always feel like im dying always feel like everyday is my last da and i have insomnia…could this be a panic disoder
Im 25 have very high levelk of anxiety and panic i just had a panic attack about half hour ago i was just lying dwn when i got this feeling like i couldnt breathe and some that felt like a heat wave through my chest and arms i felt shaky i still do and still have the feeling like i cant breathe ive been have panic attacks for the last 3years i constantly have chest and left arm pain and a feeling like ther is something in my troat most of the time i feel like im out of it my head feels like there is a band around it my scalp feels tight my eye twitches and latley my hands feel like there are locking and arm feel heavey i also get sharp pains in my head its taking over my life i have f kids who i cant enjoy cause im always feeling dwn and have some sort of symptom and im am constantly dragging them to my doctors because every time time i get really bad attacks i run straight to my gp i could end up going to the doctors 3to4 times aweek i constantly check my pulse always having my blood pressure done i constanly worry about my health i think im a hypochondria im on medication for my attacks lexapro i found that they helped at the start but no longer do my gp also gave me xanx and zispin which im afraid to take cause of side effects sorry for going on and on but i really hate feeling like this always have bad tought negitive thinking and just living in fear is there anyone else that feels like thi i am on face book my name is donna somers i live in athlone ireland if you search me just look for those details i no longer have an email me my partner has but dosent no his password
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I’m a fully housebound agoraphobic. Have been since I was 16 (2006). Not on medications. Scared to take them. ugh I HATE this! Panic attacks are HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!
Stormi…I too was afraid to take meds. Let me tell you, there’s no shame in having to take something to initially get you out of the panic cycle. Sometimes you just need a little help to get away from the symptoms that have been keeping you hostage in your own home. My experience with meds has been wonderful…you have to believe that you can get through this…the meds simply take the edge off so you can start developing strategies to deal with the panic/anxiety/depression. Not panicking everytime you walk out the door will reinforce to you that life is good and that his condition DOES NOT have to rule your life. You might be letting it rule you right now…but it won’t forever! Please talk to your doctor and at least try something for a little while. It might just make all the difference in the world!
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