Have you ever had a panic attack?

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   BenWritingsposted 12 years ago

   Have you ever had a panic attack?
   
   Recently, I had a sudden feeling of fainting, totally random and without cause. I then noticed my heart was racing at around 120-140 BPM, and my hands started to tingle. I'm wondering if anyone has had any similar things happen? I think I created a panic attack from the fear of passing out, which made the situation much worse.

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2. 57

   MissDoolittleposted 12 years ago

   Hi
   
   Funny you should ask actually. I do suffer with anxiety. Though I thought I had it under control, I still get extremely nervous, and feel as if I'm on the verge of a panic attack, but have managed to find ways to combat it.
   
   I was at the dentist last week and passed out. I'm not bothered by dentists as such, though I was nervous about leaving the house and going out. I think it was actually a panic attack because as I've already said I passed out, but I felt faint before. My heart was racing and I felt weak and numb everywhere.
   
   Do you receive any help for this?

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3. 64

   BenWritingsposted 12 years ago

   Never had it happen before. Never had a panic attack, or passed out, so this is quite new to me

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4. 61

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   Yes, I have suffered from panic attacks in the past - for me the only way to describe it to someone who has never had it -it is the most horrible feeling on the planet.  Extreme fear and panic over nothing...but you want to run.  For me it takes the form of claustrophobia and all I want to do is escape.
   
   I have found ways to cope with it, but there is always the threat of it coming back....in fact sometimes I can be in the shower and think, "I haven't had any panic feelings in weeks."  Just thinking about it brings it to the surface and then it cascades, I realize what is happening, then that I can't stop it and it just overwhelms and I ended up bringing it on myself.
   
   Therapy can help, I've heard as well as breathing techniques, and meds.  I use breathing techniques and they work very well.  Hyperventilating is the worst thing you can do for it.

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   Brandon Spauldingposted 12 years ago

   I used to struggle with panic attacks. I would commonly have one a week at least. Your description is very common among people who have panic attacks. There are many symptoms of panic attacks but here are a few that are very common: sudden panic attack and feeling of impending doom when there is nothing wrong, tingling skin similar to feeling needle pricks, flushed skin, feeling outside oneself, racing thoughts, a rush of adrenaline you don't understand, heart palpitations, feeling like you are losing control of your actions, feeling like you might hurt yourself or the people around you, and feeling like you have to fight or run. Anticipatory fears and anxieties like the fear of passing out can lead to panic attacks. In fact, these fears can actually cause the attacks, perpetuate them making them last longer, and making them worse. You can get help through counseling. You can also get help through a variety of anti anxiety management programs created to help people deal with and overcome panic attacks. The following link leads to one of the most successful programs for teaching people how to overcome anxiety attacks: http://www.midwestcenter.com/

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   changer22posted 12 years ago

   Yes, it's the most horrible feeling in the world. You feel like you are dying and that you are no longer consciously in your world anymore. The best thing to do when this scary feeling comes up again is to get fresh air and to close your eyes and breath. If you take deep, slow breathes it will relax you because some people during a panic attack feel like they cannot breath, which makes them panic more. Over time you might learn techniques on how to control them or even what sets them off. It also helps to say to yourself (while you are having one): "This will pass soon and I will get through this." I used to have two or three panic attacks a day for months and I was miserable until I learned how to control them. I hope my advice helps a little.

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   funnyfarmposted 12 years ago

   I agree with everything said here.  I've suffered from panic attacks for most of my adult life.  One thing you need to do is get a full physical.  There could possibly be a serious medical cause for what happened to you.  Don't take chances with your health, whether medical or emotional.

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   justateacherposted 12 years ago

   Yes - even wrote about one as it was occurring....not an experience I like....

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   patchofearthposted 12 years ago

   I agree with duffsmom about the claustrophobia.  I am not generally claustraphobic, but when I get anxious I want to be outside rather than hemmed in by four walls.  I usually feel nausiated.  The worst one I ever had I started sobbing for seemingly no reason, except that I was physically exhausted from an illness I was going through.  It was like my face exploded, I was hyperventalating, my face and hands felt numb and tingly-- like when your foot goes to sleep.  That only happened once though.  Usually, I will go out side and pace and breath.  I find the pacing-- I don't know if it is the movement or the rhythm-- helps.  I also haven't had any attacks in a long time.  I think they usually happen in times of extreme stress or major life changes.   Although, sometimes that is only apparent in hind sight.  Anyway, if you do some research, you will find there are ways to deal: breathing and relaxation techniques.  If it's really bad or you just don't think you can do it on your own, see a doc.

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    artist101posted 11 years ago

    I suffered them for about 4 years. They had me on meds, it did not help, just seemed to make it worse. After numerous tests, they found that I had hypoglycemia, was into menopause, and also tested positive for an auto immune disease. I did not give up, I knew I was not depressed, I knew it had a physical cause, which was confirmed by my doctors, and my counselor. You have to listen to your heart, and what it is telling you, not what the experts say. They don't walk in your shoes, you do. The possible physical causes are hypoglycemia, hormones, carbon monoxide, thyroid disorder, among many others, as well as skipping meals, asthma, asthma medications, a heart condition(murmur), many medications, magnesium deficiency, trytophan deficiency, and food allergies. A physical may be in order, to rule out a physical cause. A heart murmur is hard to detect, and is most prevalent when you are sick say with bronchitis, because of a lack of oxygen. Until the underlying cause was found, they did not subside. Read my article on meno, for supplements, and advice. I hope this helps.

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       artist101posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       the link to the article is http://menapause-the-midlife-meltdown Gaba, and magnesium are very helpful for panic attacks, until you find the cause. They are not addicting, and there are no side effects.

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    brakel2posted 11 years ago

    I had panic attacks from congenital mitral valve prolapse syndrome, undetected until  adulthood. I control them with medication, breathing exercises, meditation, relaxation tapes and exercise. Many friends from work had them from job stress. In the last twenty years, the disease has become very common. Many hubbers have written about it.

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