I think I'm going to have a panic attack soon?

Question

Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but I have started feeling weird.... I am very anxious, my chest gets tight, my breathing shallow and I feel like I can't breathe properly. It's happening more and more often, usually in the afternoon. I feel like I just want to go into a deep whole and not have anyone talk to me.

Can this be related to being unhappy???

I am terrified.

answers have be great so far!

Thanks so much, I am starting to feel better about it already!!

I hope you guys know just how much your advice means to me, and that its great to know I'm not alone.

I think it's passed for now, but I know I have some work to do. Any other suggestions are great.

Thanks a million

Answer 1

Panic attacks are caused by being anxious and afraid, it's good that you notice these things because i used to get them out of nowhere, the stress was there but i thought i was coping with it and then all of a sudden bam I was in a state of panic which always lasted way longer than the 10-15 minutes, i was physically handicapped for whole evenings. all night i'd be nauseous, feel like my blood pressure was dropping, like my heart was going to explode it was pounding so fast and then all of a sudden it would slow down so much i thought i was going to just die, i couldn't sit still, couldnt breathe felt like a vaccum was in my throats, my legs were tense and wobbly, my arms felt like weight and almost like i could be having a heart attack, i'd be sweaty and i would literally slip from reality my eyes would glaze over and i would just keep thinking omg i'm going to die. It was so bad i was hospitalized twice. The the next day after an attack i'd be shaky and scared i'd have another one. I'd avoid the activities i did that may cause symptoms like drinking coffee because it made my heart race when really my heart raced because my body was in a state of panic.

What really really helped my attacks was doing PMR. look it up it's a relaxation technique involving deep breathing, and using a tension and relaxing of the muscles to bring your body into a calm. Do it every night so that you get practice and when you feel yourself going into a panic attack, you may able to stop it by using the PMR technique.You could also use a visualization technique which is more of what i do now, I don't get panic attacks often, usually every once in a blue moon but i never have a full blown attack, because i noticed one thing that happened before i panicked was i lost my breath and got dizzy like i was about to faint. everytime i felt this happen since i noticed it, i began to repeat to myself over and over, eyes closed "calm blue ocean" and i'd imagine it as well until i was calm enough to not overreact, by this i mean usually when i started to feel the indicator, i'd get scared and start crying thinking oh no it's going to happen again and feeling helpless because i didn't know what they were at first and i really felt like i would die. Also it helps to make an anti-panic attack kit. This means carry around with you everywhere things that calm you down, often when we are panicking we forget that the sense of imminent death is in our heads. Do whatever it takes to not be taken from reality, if this involves writing flash cards that remind yourself to calm down, or that you are not crazy and it is in your head.also include a blanket, water bottle, paper bag to breath into, music that calms you down. anything that will provide you comfort. I'm assuming you are in therapy for the attacks but if not, you should talk to a professional about it Talk therapy is an essential part of all mental health diagnoses, it helps get to the root of your problems in order to better set yourself up to cope with them before you body tells you it's overwhelmed and panics. You may even need to be on medicine for it, like xanax which you'll take when you panic or an anti-anxiety drug. Not everyone does though, but it does help with any underlying issues like depression, GAD, or bipolar disorder. and quick fixes like nardil and xanax really do stop you from panicing. I was prescibed with xanax, I never used it because i was already on my bipolar meds and i wanted to really be able to deal with my panic attacks head on, so i never used it but you may need to. They suck and they tend to get worse before they get better but if you don't give up and work hard to overcoming it, you won't end up with panic disorder which is much harder to deal with. So go get help here are some links.

http://www.panicportal.com/indexta.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/panic_disorder/page3.htm#4whatis
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/113/main.html
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/panicmenu.cfm
http://www.guidetopsychology.com/pmr.htm

Answer 2

Hi Frosty - You didn't mention how old you are but it sounds like you are going through a change in your life. I remember when I was young I used to feel the same things. There are so many things to deal with when you're growing up and it continue for the rest of your life if you don't do something about it. I think you, first of all, have to try to relax. First thing in the morning, stick your head out the door and take 20 deep breaths and slowly let the air out when you exhale. Then, if you have time, take a walk and while you're walking, think about the beauty of things around you and how good you feel when you do that. Just relax and I think you will be fine. If it seems more serious than I am able to help you with, speak to your parents or your guidance counselor at school and let them know how you feel. You need to depend on someone to help you through these times. You will be glad you did!

Answer 3

seek help before it gets worse.

Try and establish in your mind what could be the root cause of it.
Often it can be keeping company that isn't good for you. Confidence is a huge factor. How do you feel about yourself? If you have low self esteem and don't feel that you are valued by others that can bring on feelings of panic.

I had them very badly but don't any more. I say that because that should make you feel hopeful that it can be over come.

If you want to talk off thread, feel free to email me.

Answer 4

Sounds like you have been HAVING panic attacks. Talk to your doctor and see if you can get a prescription for Xanax. I don't take it anymore but I used to take it right at the onset of my worry. It'll calm you down.

Combine the medication with some therapy & you'll be anxiety free in no time. Guaranteed. :)

Just try to relax. If you start to feel anxious or like you're going to die (because I know panic attacks feel like you're dying) try to isolate yourself. If you're at work, go outside for a break or sneak into the bathroom. Try closing your eyes and taking long, slow deep breaths in through your nose & out through your mouth. Talk yourself out of the panic attack.

Good luck, fellow anxious mama! It'll get better, I promise.

Answer 5

Yes it can. If possible get exercise; go for a walk and try to concentrate on other things but your worries. My mobile is prone to panic attacks and needs a break badly - I've seen this special armchair for mobiles on eBay and I getting one for the poor wee lass. Just you take care; breath deeply and regularly when you feel anything weird coming on, stay cool and look after your mobile. Check out Pure 3 Design on Ebay Shops

Answer 6

You need to get your but to a doctor to help you with your physical symptoms first. Wellburtorn, Zyban, Prozac can help with little side effects. After your physical body is not heaving from panic, you can start facing the REASON for these feelings. You could be Manic, bipolar, or depressed, IE a Physical problem with your brain. You could have life crisis which you need help with, or Both. I know the Feeling and you cannot listen to yourself (you'll never come out of the hole) Be a good PARENT to yourself and get counseling

Answer 7

Hi,
There is this guide by anxiety expert Joe Barry , he has taught thousands of people to be panic free without any medication using a revolutionary new technique, http://www.panicaway.co.nr , its really a great guide , it should help you get rid of panic attacks forever in a few days

Hope this helps you and wish you the best of health

Answer 8

Panic attacks do not last for an hour. I'm not sure what the Dr. is referring to.

Answer 9

Hello,
I can say nothing more than >>>>>>>>Go to hospital before it's too late!

I'm not trying to terrify you more but, honestly this is not always a sign of a panic attack & never make a mistake by diagnosing your own problem........

It could be something serious or even mild >>>because these symptoms can be felt on a lot of cases, situations , & even diseases....

So, Go to hospital to rule out the possibility of having certain problems.
Take it as an advice
Don't get panic
Don't worry be happy

Have fun >>>>yes
But, by the way>>>>SMOKING& DRINKING will worsen your condtion>>>>they may be leading / aggrevating factors what u have.
These habits will not ease your problems since they are unhealthy!

This is all what I can provide you from my own experience on line:)
Hope that's help
Good Luck

Answer 10

panic attacks can be triggered by alot of things, being unhappy is a likely part of the problem. I had them for awhile and find this website and tried the theory of letting the attack run its course. I thought of it as letting a leg cramp go all the way and not stopping it. but basically since panic attacks are all mental, although you may feel physical effects, you need to let the attack consume you completely until you realize nothing bad is going to happen. when i had mine i thought i was going to die, almost thought about going to the ER, and some people even call 911. check out the website, and especially the message boards, its a good community whom you can talk to and see how many other people have these feelings. good luck with your problem.

Answer 11

Feeling 'weird' and breathing problems could be a symptom of several things. Consider speaking to someone like your doctor, who could do one of several things:
further observation
accurate diagnosis
medication
referral, etc.

If you are experiencing anxiety, then I recommend that you cut down on things that you're able to that will reduct it. Aim to complete unfinished stuff in your life, jobs started, commitments not kept etc. The more things that you are having to keep like plates spinning, as in a circus act, the less energy you will have for keeping going in the 'now'. Start writing down your outstanding stuff and make some goals to clear stuff, bit by bit. Then be wary of overloading yourself with new stuff if it comes along.

And bear in mind what your objectives are for doing things, so that you can notice if you're going off course anytime. These last points may not be relevant for you, but I've added them as our minds are somewhat limited in what we can expect them to cope with.

If you're 'terrified' then having an expert potentially helping you on the road to recovery is going to be a major help. You just need to have confidence in overcoming the hurdle of getting to see someone, and not burying yourself in a deep hole, and isolation. Often tacking things head on is our best approach. I hope that you will take this a step further than just seeking advice and info on here. If you're also concerned with depression, then this illness may also need to be addressed. Leaving depression for longer periods can make depression more difficult to clear and more likely to recur.

Good luck! Rob