Does anybody out there know what causes their panic attacks?

Question

I've had them for years now. At first I couldn't even get on a bus cause I felt "out of control" and each time the bus went round a corner I felt like I was on a roller coaster, you know that weird feeling in your chest when you go down a steep incline on a coaster, only worse. You should see me on a plane during take off now !! It's kinda calmed down a bit over the years but even to this day I get panic attacks. It comes in various forms from felling kind of hollow inside, suddenly having to do something like tap my foot or fingers etc to try and knock my self out of it and bring myself "back". I also sometimes feel like I don't have a body at times.Most of these symptoms are accompanied with a very VERY fast heart rate, that tingle in the stomach and chest, it's really hard to explain in words, but if you've been through one, you'll know exactly what I mean. I was actually at a job interview yesterday and took a panic attack, I was pretty lucky that it was a group information session that I took the attack but the real issue was that I had to give an individual presentation straight after,,,, all eyes on me, not good but I survived, just. Thank god the one on one interview isn't for another week !! Anyway, I'm wondering if anybody has worked out any specific information as to what sets their attacks off. I think everybody will be different, but I'd really like to compare what sets it off in different people. Also, what do you guys do to get over it ? Have you ever had one in a really bad place, i.e. job interview, giving a speech or what ever. Does anybody have any real horror stories that they'd like to share.

Answer 1

I used to get those panic attacks alot, but not so much now. It was annoying how it seemed to happen all the time, but the easiest way that I got over it usually was getting myself distracted with something else. Today, for me, I'll either try to listen to a song or try to make conversation with people, but it doesn't always work. I still have panic attacks but just not as often as I used to. Another thing that might help is to get more sleep and eat less junk food, it should make more you awake so it makes it less likely to have a panic attack. Well I hope I helped, God Bless!

Answer 2

A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that comes without warning and without any obvious reason. It is far more intense than the feeling of being stressed out that most people experience.
Source: American Psychological Association (on line)

For me, I got my first panic attack while drive up on Afton Mountain, Va. The road is somewhat steep, the highway is very close to the edge of the road, on the other side of the guard rail there is about one foot of ground and then it goes thousands of feet down. This type of situation is the only thing that bothers me. There are a few roads in my town that are on an angle at 55 mph that I try to avoid.
I was told that if something like this bothers you; don't put yourself in these situations. I do not.

Answer 3

Anxiety is a natural and normal human mechanism. It is what allows us to be alert, and cogniscent of the environment around us, particularly regarding threats. Indeed it is a survival mechanism. Panic attacks by definition are an unnatural anxious response to a stimuli that would normally not invoke such a response.

For each person, the stimulus is somewhat unique. Part of the therapy for panic attacs (cognitive behavioural therapy) involves determining the stimulus for panic attacks. Once aware of the stimulus, rationalising your response and learning how to attenuate it, and understanding the inappropriatness of this response will set you on the pathway towards controlling them.

It is best you consult a medical practitioner / psychiatrist to assist you in this endeavour.

Best of luck.....

Ex panic attack sufferer.

Answer 4

I had one a couple of months ago and I still don't know what brought it on. I've never been one for having panic attacks. I was simply laying down to go to sleep and all at once it hit me. My heart began racing, I couldn't breathe and felt like I was going to throw up. I was trembling and felt really hot to the point where I was sweating. It lasted about 20 minutes or so. I got to the phone and called my husband and he rushed home, by then it was over. I didn't understand what happened or why. I found out later that it was a panic attack. I don't know what brought it on. It was the first one I'd ever had. I don't look forward to another one either. I was completely scared out of my mind. It truely felt like I was dying.

Answer 5

Mine are caused by triggers to past events.

Search "empath". That's what you are.

Answer 6

lack of control. poor nutrition. lack of exercise. lack of fresh air and peace and quiet.