Have you ever had a panic or anxiety attack? If so, what does it feel like?

Answer 1

heart beating very fast, sweating, rapid breathing feeling like you can't catch your breath, shaking, tired, I thought it was a heart attack.

Answer 2

Social anxiety can cause these feelings, which can also lead to severe depression,
http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/ds...

if not you could be suffering from Generalized Anxiety
Disorder..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/general_anx...

There is hope; I've been there, and still am there, it is a long, hard struggle. I recommend
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me, with mild anti-anxiety meds. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.

Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.

Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.

The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.

I recommend a mild anti-anxiety med in addition to CBT therapy.

Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!

Answer 3

I have struggled with anxiety attacks for a long time. It feels like you just run a marathon and can't get your breath. It's more noticeable when you are trying to talk to someone and you keep breathing hard. Your heart beats real fast too, as if you're excited about something. They can come on for no reason at all and sometimes can make you feel wiped out after wards. I take Zoloft to help control them. Hope I helped.

Answer 4

For Me, It Felt Like I Was Having A Heart Attack~

Answer 5

Several years ago I had three within a couple of weeks. First my vision would get blurry then my heart would start racing, I would have something like a hot flash, swweating and what my doctor referred to as a "feeling of impending doom." I thought I was having a heart attack and was going to pass out the first time. The other two weren't as bad.

Answer 6

Yes, I used to get them a lot as a kid, because I worried all the time about every little thing. I remember once when I was 10, I had a really bad nosebleed and I thought I was going to die. I flipped out, and my heart started beating so fast, I thought it was going to explode. And the harder it'd beat, the scarier it got, and it just got exponentially worse from there. I really was convinced I was going to die. My parents had been gone, and when they came home, I ran outside (in the rain) in my stocking feet, crying, screaming "Take me to the hospital! I'm going to die! "
I used to get panic attacks on a regular basis...my poor parents. Finally I realized it was all in my head-my mother had been telling me that for years, but I think I had to figure it out for myself. I still get the occasional anxiety attack, but they're not nearly as bad as they used to be.

Answer 7

R u being serious??? Panic attacks and any other attacks are not to be messed with..I get them all the time. Sometimes I black out and cannot remember what I did.........

Answer 8

Over 24 yrs. WAS agoraphobic...
they can vary, for some they can be..
heart racing, feel like your going to die, tight throat, want to flee, even temporary blindness , panic.. terror, feeling of abandonment . sweaty palms, can't move, shake, faint, you name it ,it almost can happen..
there are fears of driving, flying, being in malls , outdoors, heights, spiders, cats, superstitions and the list goes on....
It is not fun , but with good treatment can be overcome..
when you face your fears they have less power over you.. and they end up often not being nearly as frightening as you made them out to be.

Answer 9

yes, like I was going to die. I really thought I was dying. I lost feeling in my arms and hands, I was having trouble breathing and it was VERY scary. on the way to the hospital I calmed down and for a while i learned how to deal with it after I knew what it was. Strangely, I dont have them anymore now that I quit smoking weed.

Answer 10

Every single day! I panic too easily, especially when I don't know what to do in a situation. I'm working on not doing it so much.