Feelings of a Panic Attack

Signs of a Panic Attack

• Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
• Heart palpitations or a racing heart
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Trembling or shaking
• Choking feeling
• Feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings
• Sweating
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or faint
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Hot or cold flashes
• Fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy

Right now I am having a panic attack. My heart is racing and my chest feels as if an elephant - or some larger creature - is sitting on my chest. My hands are trembling. My thoughts are racing. I feel as if the end of the world - or something worse - is imminent. I know that some evil will befall me...but I don't know what.

At the moment, I am alone at home. My husband is visiting family in another part of the state, my children are all now living on their own...only the dog is home with me. This feeling - this panic - is trying to take over this moment in my life. I am not going to let it win. I am stronger than this panic...I can beat this feeling...

But as the time continues to pass this panic - this weight on my chest - this confusion in my head - is trying to win - it seems, at least for this moment, to be winning.... will it stop?

My heart is still racing - I feel as if I need to run from this unknown terror that will defeat me. I am not running - I am staying to fight this panic - this irrational fear - I will beat it...

Thoughts are racing as fast as my heartbeat...I am taking long, slow breaths as I am trying to make this go away...Writing seems to help...it seems to be slowing down the thoughts, the heartbeat...

The elephant is no longer an elephant...maybe a small dog...now even just a gentle touch...

The panic will not win this time...it is going into hiding...I have won...this time....this moment...

This moment is now my own....

The panic attack has gone away. The writing helped...