Can you explain what a panic or anxiety attack feels like?

Question

I'm not sure if there is a difference between the two. I have been having these weird pains for about a year now... I'm in a store or some place with a lot of people and my heart starts racing, breathless, and feeling like I need to vomit. I just feel so overwhelmed I have to get out of the place I'm at right away. I thought this was just because I was shy but I'm starting to wonder if it could be something more..

Answer 1

Panic attacks, which I used to get, are sudden, appear out of nowhere and are fairly short in duration (like under an hour). I thought I was having a heart attack because I felt like I couldn't breathe (but air was going in and out), felt dizzy, heart started racing, etc. Its very scary and very physical. Anxiety is usually slower to arise and longer in duration and is very mental as well as physical. An Anxiety Disorder is a response that is disproportionate to the stimuli that often manifests itself in a fight, flight or freeze response. Like being so stressed out about a test that you can't even study (freeze). Men often get angry and snap at people and pace (fight). Women often get depressed (flight/turn within). Anxiety can be over a specific event or occurance (anxiety over flying) or generalized. For more info the best basic source is the DSM IV which is probably available at your local library.

Answer 2

There is a difference and what you are experiencing is an anxiety attack. I would recommend that if you have health insurance go see a doctor about it because it can lead to other disorders that will interfere with your life. I have panic attacks and they just happen at random. My symptoms are that my throat closes up and i can not breath, I get tingly and numbness on my left arm and it feels that there is pressure on my chest. I am currently taking medication for is and seeing my regular doctor and a therapist. So get it check out because it can control your life if you let it.

Answer 3

When I had a panic attack, I woke up in bed shaking and sweating. Then my heart kept randomly beating really fast and I felt scared. I thought I was having a heart attack! It was the most horrible feeling. I had it the day before my first day of college, so that's what triggered it. My shyness causes me to get nervous sometimes when I'm talking to people I don't know that well. It's also worse when I'm talking to an authority figure, such as a doctor, teacher, dentist, etc. I also don't like talking in front of a big group of people. I hesitate sometimes to say stuff in class when there's a whole lot of people in the classroom.

Answer 4

I have had panic attacks. I felt dizzy, like I was going to faint,my breating was hard, my heart beat hard and my hands were all wet and clammy. I took a class on anxiety management at Kaiser Perm where I learned a lot about it. I am on Effexor, it helps a lot. Go to a psychologist, help is available. You will be glad you did.

This idea of exposure to things that scare you... I tried that, but it only got worse. I just couldn't put myself thru it anymore. You can't do it alone. Get help.

Answer 5

they are the same thing different names. Medical people like to do that to you.

That sounds like social anxiety disorder.

Anxiety attacks usually have things like racing heart, breathing increase, feelings of illness, dizziness, headaches and fleeing type behaviors.

The best treatment for anxiety disorders is exposure to the thing that is making you anxious. just keep doing it over and over and over in small steps.

Like when I have a person that comes in and is afraid of snakes, first we watch a video about snakes, then i bring in a toy stuffed animal snake, then a more realistic plastic snake. then they have to go to the reptile house at the zoo, then i have someone bring in a snake in a glass box and have it in the same room moving them progressively closer. (each one of these is a different session.) Basically I get the person used to their stress and panic reactions until they feel like they have it under control at one level, then bump them to the next.

You can do this at the stores too. start with stores you are comfortable in and stay for longer periods. Then try a new store 5 mintues, then longer then longer. Build up. when you are comfortable there, go to a new store.

Some ppl say meds. meds will surpress the symptoms, but if you get off the probably will return. Gotta learn coping skills.

Answer 6

I take a med for anxiety, but when i used to have panic attacks i felt like i couldnt breathe, my heart was racing, my hands and arms felt numb and tingly, and i couldnt be anywhere near a crowd of people. it was really bad. went to ER a couple times before being properly diagnosed.

Answer 7

I have a friend who suffers from anxiety, it causes them to be full of irrational fears and eventually become breathless. It makes it hard to function normally and can last for long periods of time.
Best to see your doctor concerning what your experiencing and get properly diagnosed. Sometimes it can be something simple, but if it turns out to be more, better to nip it in the bud early before it gets worse. Best luck. :)

Answer 8

they are the same thing, they feel the same. Sounds like you suffer from social anxiety disorder. You have a fear somewhere in you that everyone is judging you.

Answer 9

welcome to child labor market, it doesn't have anything to do with anyones age, the concept that people can handle deep paranoiaical rolled modeling long with out crashing. that's why they keep old people in one world and young holding it all up, and they play apple and ranges and cry all the way to the bank

Answer 10

It feels like you are going to die.