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Panic attacks?
I've recently started having panic attacks, well I think they were panic attacks, they could have been anxiety attacks as I suffer badly with anxiety. Does anyone know the difference between the two?
My heart feels like it's about to come out of my chest, I feel sick, lightheaded, breathless, like i'm not really there (if that makes sense) and other symptoms too like sensitivty to light. I know I need to get some help for it but i'm just too scared to.
I know everyone experiences panic attacks differently but can people tell you're having a panic attack? Sometimes I try and contain it so i'm not sure if people know or not but other times i've been hyperventiilating that much that people around me did know. How can they vary so much?
My heart feels like it's about to come out of my chest, I feel sick, lightheaded, breathless, like i'm not really there (if that makes sense) and other symptoms too like sensitivty to light. I know I need to get some help for it but i'm just too scared to.
I know everyone experiences panic attacks differently but can people tell you're having a panic attack? Sometimes I try and contain it so i'm not sure if people know or not but other times i've been hyperventiilating that much that people around me did know. How can they vary so much?
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Book an appointment with your GP - then make a note of your feelings and what you want to talk about - you may find it easier to hand your GP a quick written synopsis - like your post here.
There is a myriad of help available, but you do need to make the first move before your GP can give you access to whatever will work for you.
I had two after I lost my husband, they were obviously caused by a build up of stress.
The first one I had I didn't know what was happening, I thought I was having a heart attack.
My heart felt as if it was crashing against my ribs, it was really scary.
Other symptoms were one minute feeling very hot then feeling very cold.
The final straw was vomiting, my neighbours took me to hospital and luckily A&E was quiet so was seen straight away.
The second one I had I guessed what was happening and was able to control it.
Go to the Doctors, experiencing a panic attack has been said to be one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of a person's life and may take days to initially recover from.
After my first one I did not feel well for a few days.
The doctor will give you medication to calm you down, if they are bad you do need help to get over them.
I would definitely suggest going to the doctors, any help in dealing with them is a good thing.
When I had my first one in 2004 I didn't have a clue what was going on, nearly rang 999, thought I was dying as I felt like I couldn't swallow and I was gasping for breath, I literally shook for the whole rest of the day and then I started to become agoraphobic as I was terrified of it happening again, sadly anxiety has been part of my life ever since but don't let that stop you going to the doctors as I know tons of people who have gotten help and now lead a pretty panic free life, I guess I'm just a worrying wimp!
I've read online that people probably can't tell you're having a panic attack and that'd be true for a few that i've had but a couple, i've been hyperventilating and shaking so people obviously did see and could tell. So I feel a bit abormal. Is it normal for them to be so different and for people to see you are having one?
I had very debilitating panic attacks for years and it was only when I understood my reaction to situations that I could begin to control the way my body reacted to them. Simply learning how to breathe in a certain way when I felt an attack coming on, prevented it getting worse and eventually I felt more in control and the attacks stopped esculating.
Good luck OP, I wish you all the best.
Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are two different names for the same thing. Don't be worried about getting them as lots of people do.
I've had them all my life and have learned to work around them, within my limitations, but if you can get them dealt with quickly it's much better, as you should get fully better quite rapidly.
Hope you get sorted soon xxx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YumB9FxOYs4
I've been told it could be a hormonal imbalance and things but wouldn't I be anxious all the time for it to be that? I'm only anxious in certain situations such as crowds and closed in places.
I get those symptoms as well, particularly the last two.
The key to try and control panic attacks is to slow your breathing down, mentally tell yourself to slow it down and also tell yourself that your having a panic attack and that really YOU ARE OK.
Easier said than done I do agree but after suffering them for a lot of years I have learned how to do that although I have also learned what triggers mine so, thankfully I no longer suffer from them as I can spot it a mile away.
Good luck, you are absolutely fine and you will be ok, stop taking deep breaths
I know exactly what you mean. Following a very traumatic incident nearly 2 years ago in which I was nearly killed I was diagnosed with PTSD. I used to feel like you describe and was scared to go out alone, scared of strangers, scared of sudden noises, scared of just about everything and any little thing would get me feeling how you feel now.
I did have to go on medication but only take the lowest dose. I also saw a counsellor for about a year. To be honest, the counselling wasn't much help. I listen to relaxation tapes quite often and they help. I have recently started yoga and that's helping too. Other than that I just keep telling myself that the feeling WILL pass and it does. I hope you feel better soon.
http://www.mind.org.uk/mental_health_a-z/8102_mind_troubleshooters_panic_attacks
http://www.mind.org.uk/mental_health_a-z/8001_understanding_anxiety_and_panic_attacks
http://www.nopanic.org.uk/
Yep. I'd been falsely reassured by articles claiming that you can't fall down or lose conscious during an anxiety attack, as the body is in a heightened state of alert. Recent experience has taught me otherwise!
During an anxiety attack, I always find that exhaling makes my chest hurt badly and inhaling gives me immense pressure in my head. Does this happen to others here? It therefore makes it really hard to slow down my breathing, as instructed, as it seemingly makes the pain worse.
Thanks for your reply. I'm still not entirely sure what triggers it. Being around people I don't know makes me anxious and being in busy places. But it isn't just those situations it's happened in.
Thank you
I keep reading articles that you can't faint during a panic attack. Is this not true then? Because of my hyperventilating, I feel really lightheaded and weak. I guess the other poster is right, the next stage probably is being unconscious.
I also have low blood pressure which can cause a dizzy/lightheaded feeling so with that and the panic attacks I'm sometimes struggling. However, I want to reassure you that with all this going on I have never fainted. I read in a book that you have to tell yourself to "float" through this and that it will not last. That really works for me.
As soon as I feel "normal" again after an attack I look back and am proud that I got through it and know that I can again.
I think it is. It's horrible.:( However, just keep up the "this too will pass" chant and you'll get through it.:)
I feel like that too. Eating bananas can help, as can turkey and potatoes. And caffeine, even small amounts in chocolate or weak tea, is best avoided.
I've got the flu but was feeling a bit better so went to my brothers. When I was about to leave, I felt really bad and was a bit dizzy, like I couldn't get up and walk, afraid I'd just collapse outside or something. So I started panicking a bit and I had a few heart palpitations, which made my panic worse. But I just tried to kick myself mentally in the head and told me to not panic and slow breathing. My brother walked me home and almost as soon as I got home, I felt tons better.
Hope you get some help with your panic attacks OP
Blowing into a paper bag is a common way of treating hyperventilating ( just type into Google for imfo.) The panic attacks can be helped with one of the NHS Panic attack Management course CDs..and there are management courses you can attend
I can thoroughly recommend this book
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Panic-Attacks-Overcoming-Fear/dp/0745955452/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361623540&sr=8-1
Obviously you can get it other places than Amazon.
You could read that whilst you pluck up courage to go to the GP. It will explain why you get the symptoms which often will take the sting out the tail for sufferers i.e. I'm not going mad, not going to die, not going to disgrace myself publicly.
These days the NHS have their own counsellors (IAPTs), many of whom use CBT, though there is a long waiting list in many areas (despite the I of IAPT standing for "improving") :rolleyes: