Semi panic attacks? Scared.

[gemanrioaks]

For the past few weeks or so, I've been having these panic attacks that...are not really panic attacks. For example, the only symptom of a panic attack that I experience is anxiety and rapid breathing. It happens randomly and I don't know what are the triggers, it happens both indoors and outdoors, sometimes even when I'm doing nothing. The attack usually lasts for a minute or so. The thing I find odd is that, I am able to stop hyperventilating at will. I know that in a full-blown panic attack, you're not supposed to be able to just stop hyperventilating, but I find that I can. It's just that I find that hyperventilating makes me feel...better, sort of? Like it's a way of coping with the sudden rush of anxiety.

Sometimes when I am nearing an attack, I feel like I am in danger/people are going to hurt me. I also feel wrong, weird, like I am not really here, not fully connected to the world. Sometimes I feel like my body is operating on auto-pilot.

I was diagnosed with panic disorder three years ago. Back then I did have full-blown panic attacks, but after taking an anti-anxiety medication they disappeared and haven't resurfaced since. Now I'm having these weird semi panic attacks and I don't know what to do.

I'm afraid and I don't know if I should go see a doctor. I can't find anything on the internet about this. Please help?

[gemanrioaks]

Hey thanks for your reply. I am in therapy, have been for two years. And yes I think I'm pretty stressed. I'm stressed out by school work (i have to get straight A's), my close friend recently stopped talking to me for no reason, and the biggest stressor of all: my therapist is leaving in December. I am so stressed out by that. Maybe that's what causing the attacks.

I guess my main problem is that I don't feel like I deserve to say I'm having panic attacks because they're not as serious as the "real" ones. I feel like a fraud..

[remar]

Panic attack can vary. We can have full blown ones to small ones like you're having.
Are you having any kind of stress in your life? What might not seem like a big deal could actually be causing you stress and the panic attacks.
Many of us have been through what you're going through. We do understand.
Were you in therapy before? If not, I would recommend that. I do think it's best to try therapy first if you can. They can't prescribe meds but a psychiatrist can. So, that may be what you need to do. Be in therapy with a psychiatrist and on meds for a short time until you get your anxiety under control.