I suffer with panic attacks: Is it possible to faint from them?

Question

I ask this because as a symptom, lightheadedness is a huge problem and one of my main fears is fainting and don't want to faint at all from this. Anyone else who has PA's, can you advise me please? Cheers, Dave, UK

Answer 1

Lightheadedness is probably caused by hyperventilation. I keep a small paper bag with me, and when I feel a panic attack coming on, I sit down and breath slowly, focusing only on my breathing, into the paper bag. After about five minutes, I am fine.
Panic is self limiting.

Answer 2

Hello there. I've suffered from Panic Attacks/Disorder for almost a year now. It's been the worst year of my life. Although I am new to the whole thing, I have looked up, read, and consulted more people and books about this subject than any human being should. User: Violet Pearl said in her answer that it is 100% impossible to faint or pass out. Now, it's true that when you're having a panic attack your body is on high alert. But it is possible to faint or pass out. My 7th or 8th panic attack I experienced, I passed out. Scary thing, I was home alone, splashing cold water on my face to come to reality while having the attack. At this time I did not know what I was having. I was only out from what I gathered for a very short amount of time. 5-10 seconds at most, but I did call 911 cause I was scared out of my mind. Ambulance came, told me I was experiencing anxiety attacks and I would be okay but to be sure I could go to the hospital and get checked out. Sure as can be, I was fine. But to answer your question, yes. It is possible to pass out from a panic attack.

Answer 3

So as of now you are thinking ther eis a 50/50 chance of fainting, well all I can say is that I have never fainted, nor have I lost control of my bowels ( sorry but its a big fear!) I have never ran through the streets screaming ( what I never said I was normal) I have never ended up in a rubber room ( damn movies)
My point, all the fears I have had have never come true because anxiety disorder and panic attacks cause irrational fears.. that why we get them so much because we talk ourselves into them because we are so afraid of them happening.

We basicaly have a mindset that is constantly in fight or flight mode, with a huge enphasis on the flight part.

I think of things differnlty and try to explaine things in differnt ways so here goes.

There are 2 people in your head, you and MR EvilMcPanic.
Mr EvilMcPanic or EMP (easier to type) is constantly picking fights with you, he says " you are going crazy" you say " no im not" he says " oh yeah feel this" and your heart starts beating more. You think that he is right you must be going crazy because you feel very wrong inside. "Your gonna faint yes you are I say so!" You start thinking that he is right because you are feeling strange inside and nothing seem in your control.
You start to hold your breath ( you do ) and then blood is not geting to your brain and EMP is gaining power, he is getting stronger because he feeds off your fears. Then you take a breath, and another , and another, suddenly EMP seems to be a weak little bugger that you can tower over! he cries" im melting, melting" and you say " I will get you every time" in the distance you hear " I will be back you can never get rid of meeeeee"

Wasent that a fun little story... I think I might need a higher does of medication :|

Answer 4

So now you're compounding your panic attacks by panicing about possibly fainting.
Panic attacks are often due to an overwhelming fear of not being able to control a potential situation - they've oftens grown from a general good reason to be fearful (originating from childhood - learnt response) to a free-floating anxiety to full blown panic attacks.

To resolve the fear of fainting - know that by breathing into a paper bag will prevent you from hyperventillating and fainting.
This is what I was taught as a member of the British Red Cross.

The next stage is really to get to the bottom of the panic attacks per se. For that you really need to see a mental health specialist - but please know if you condition in emotion based (neurotic) and you're prepared to work hard - then your problem WILL BE resolved. This is what my experience has shown me as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and EFT practitioner.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I started getting them when i was 19 and they were at their worst from when i was 23-25. I was really scared of losing consciousness and this made me panic even more. I found that if possible I went to a quiet room with a glass of water. sit down and sip the water slowly and this helps your breathing slow down.

Mines got a lot better because i stopped drinking alcohol, stopped smoking, I dont drink caffienated drinks and try to eat a healthy diet. I also started a college course which gave me so much more self confidence and that also helped. Exercise also helps.

Get some lavender aromatherapy oil and put a couple of drops on a hanker chief and take a deep breath of it every time you start to feel panicky.

Good luck i know how much this can rule your life. Is there a trigger cause or is it just on of those things that catch you unawares.

Answer 6

I have what I hope is good news for you. I suffered for years from panic attacks, and became very reclusive for the same fear you have. A couple of years ago, I found out I was allergic to wheat, eggs and soy. Once I eliminated them from my diet, my panic attacks went away. (as well as many other health probs) I never really made the connection until an article I read recently said that many people who suffer panic attacks were actually having a mild anaphalactic reaction to an allergen food. I would recommened allergy testing, or just keep a food diary for a couple of weeks to see if your episodes come on after eating certain foods. Try nutridiary.com Good luck. email if you need further info

Answer 7

I have a mild panic attack disorder. Sometime I get mild panic attack out of no where. I also have a fear of dog that send me into really bad attacks. My chest harts, I hyperventilate, and get light headed. Some time I do pass out. Luckly the I haven't passed out while alone. I have passed out in stores and at home before. Yes it can happen. The way to stop it is to calm yourself down. I think of swinging at the park. I use to be in therapy. I was on some meds to help with the panic attacks. It worked for me. You can try talking to your doc or a therapist. They will be able to help to.

Answer 8

Yep! You can have breathing arrest during a panic attack. Best to refrain from alcohol, caffinated products...eat a well balanced diet and excercise (releases seratonin in the brain- which is what many of the anxiety medications contain). I have noticed that by maintianing a healthy lifestyle...avoid difficult persons..live a minimalistic lifestyle and keep life simple..remember...life is always full of problems..it's how you get through them that counts...and work on loving yourself....yeah...some things suck...but..the things that don't are really great.

Answer 9

when the body is having a panic attack it is experiencing something called the fight or flight mecanisum, its our bodys way of protecting us from what it thinks is a potentialy life thretening situation, usually triggered by a deeply ingrained fear in the subconcious (usually something from childhood) the body wants u to fight or run....its trying to protect you. the body can only keep up this heightened response for a maximum of 4 mins...then it has to stop, it cant keep it up, nothing will happen to you, although it may feel like you are going to die, you wont, and it will stop, i used to have panic attacks all the time, but once i learned this information they stopped, you cant faint, but you do get lightheaded from the hyperventalation, breathing into a paper bag is best for this.

Answer 10

Yes, it is possible I get them too, but usually just the feeling you're going to faint, light headedness, feeling sick, worry etc. Sit down, take a few minutes time out, blow into a bag. Use lavender oil on your pillow, it will relax your mind at night, this will ease the attacks a little during the day. xxx