panic or anxiety attack?
Posted , 8 users are following.
okay so the last couple of months throughout my high anxiety and stress about 4 times i’ve had what i believe to be a panic attack, however my breathing during these is totally normal! i can even have a proper conversation still. The symptoms i get whilst having these are pure dread and fear fearing i am about to die or have a heart attack, racing heart, palpitations, sweating, tingling, nausea, chest tightness, and feeling asif i am going to pass out (i never do) but my breathing is totally normal? is that normal? like all of that could be happening but i could be on the phone having a conversation? everywhere i’ve read about panic attacks it says mainly about the breathing being off like struggling to breathe and hyperventilating but like i say i don’t get that at all it’s weird, or could they be anxiety attacks which are different aren’t they?
0 likes, 9 replies
laura08496 jak10408
Posted
jak, i am so happy you've asked this question. i've gone through the same thing, and i just don't understand it. i'll be freaking out, hands trembling, nausea, dizziness...all the regular symptoms of a panic attack, and my breathing is the only thing that's normal in my body. it just doesn't make sense. i thought i was the only one
jak10408 laura08496
Posted
laura08496 jak10408
Posted
i haven't talked to anyone about this before and honestly this strange attack happened only once where i was incapacitated. i'd received a call in the middle of the night from my dad and he needed to go to the hospital...i told him i'd get some shoes on and be right over when suddenly the room was spinning and my hands were out of control, i couldn't walk straight and i was hunched over and collapsed on my bed. it felt like someone was squeezing my heart and punching my stomach. i arraigned another ride for him and tryed hanging onto my bed and calming down. i noticed my body trembling and thought i would blow up and die...and the whole time my breathing was calm and relaxed. strange. i could only take it for ten minutes. then i had to take an emergency xanax, which began to work in like 8 minutes. thank god. but my first thought was okay calm down, focus on your breathing...and to my surprise my breathing was the only part of my body that was comfortable. i just thought i was very weird
borderriever jak10408
Posted
If you hyperventilate, place a paper bag over the nose and mouth, breath into the bag, that will sort out the problem.
You can also try sips of water, pinch your nose that may help as well. Sometimes holding the breath for a time can also help although the paper bag seems to be the best way. Do not use a polythene bag. Dangerous.
If not already talk to your GP regards your Anxiety, He may be able to help with some treatments
BOB
cindy80253 jak10408
Posted
I to have had panic attacks and called 911 thinking it was a heart attack. I was given ativan for them and then given clonazepam for the long term and they stopped altogether. A good thing to do when you feel that coming on is to breath deep and just think of the breathing nothing else, your not dying. This normally calms you down if you don't have any meds to help you out. Find out what triggers your attacks also and learn how to cope. Go to groups if you can. Talking here is a good step forward cause you know your not alone. Hope this helps
john56548 jak10408
Posted
priya456 jak10408
Posted
matthew52985 jak10408
Posted
Hi Jak, You gone through with Panic attack, Below are the differentiation between both:
An anxiety attack, people may feel fearful, apprehensive, may feel their heart racing or feel short of breath, but it's very short lived, and when the stressor goes away, so does the anxiety attack.
Panic attack on the other hand doesn't come in reaction to a stressor. It's unprovoked and unpredictable. And during a panic attack the individual is seized with terror, fear, or apprehension. They may feel that they're going to die, or lose control or have a heart attack. They have a host of physical symptoms which may include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea.
cindy80253 jak10408
Posted
Hi Jak,
It's a good idea to recognize your symptoms of a panic attack or anxiety so you don't mistaken shortness of breath and chest pain for a real heart attack. Don't always assume you know whats wrong.Get to know how your body reacts in different situations and for how long. Work with your doctor that's what they specialize in. Deep breathing helps also. Hope this helps