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What exactly is a PANIC ATTACK
Hello-
What is a panic attack? I thought I knew, but I am asking because I have noticed how some people say they have several a day and I am trying to figure that one out. My first panic attack was in July of 07 and it was so bad that I called 911 because I thought I was having a heart attack. My heart was beating so fast that I could see it thru my blouse. I was also very dizzy and thought I was about to pass out or worse die. So that is why I am wondering how can anyone have several of those episodes in one day??? Now there are days that I get real dizzy, faint feeling or my heart does the skippy beats horribleness (not a word I know, or is it??) does that constitute an attack? I know I may sound dumb, but I am just trying to confirm what it is that I have.
Last night was a bad night for me. I have anxiety about taking my meds at night (I'm on a beta blocker and aciphex in the a.m. but that one doesn't worry me). Anyway, I think I made myself feel dizzy and out of it . It felt like I was dying basically and I kept telling myself "this is nothing but anxiety, stop it!" It lasted for the better part of the night until I fell asleep. I hate this feeling.
So.....I'm just wondernig if panic and anxiety are used innterchangibly or what?
What is a panic attack? I thought I knew, but I am asking because I have noticed how some people say they have several a day and I am trying to figure that one out. My first panic attack was in July of 07 and it was so bad that I called 911 because I thought I was having a heart attack. My heart was beating so fast that I could see it thru my blouse. I was also very dizzy and thought I was about to pass out or worse die. So that is why I am wondering how can anyone have several of those episodes in one day??? Now there are days that I get real dizzy, faint feeling or my heart does the skippy beats horribleness (not a word I know, or is it??) does that constitute an attack? I know I may sound dumb, but I am just trying to confirm what it is that I have.
Last night was a bad night for me. I have anxiety about taking my meds at night (I'm on a beta blocker and aciphex in the a.m. but that one doesn't worry me). Anyway, I think I made myself feel dizzy and out of it . It felt like I was dying basically and I kept telling myself "this is nothing but anxiety, stop it!" It lasted for the better part of the night until I fell asleep. I hate this feeling.
So.....I'm just wondernig if panic and anxiety are used innterchangibly or what?
Yep, I always worry when the next one will hit. The first one was so bad I can't imagine going thru that agian. I do have Xanax but I don't take it as prescribed. I want to be med free one day.
Your classic panic attack will come just once and leave. I've had those too. What's worse is when you get panic disorder. That's when you become anxious about having a panic attack so you have one so you get anxious about having one so you have one. The anxiety about having an attack can be almost as bad as having one. You get all the same symptoms, they just don't go away completely. An attack will only last about 15 minutes, but the anxiety can be debilitating. Personally, I handle my panic attacks a lot better, because I know that they will eventually end. I usually end up taking an Ativan because of the chest pain and high pulse rate associated with anxiety. Lots of Love...
I think if you search online at the NIMH and other web sites you'll find very good definitions of panic... such as the following from NIMH:
"Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. During a panic attack, most likely your heart will pound and you may feel sweaty, weak, faint, or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb, and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may have nausea, chest pain or smothering sensations, a sense of unreality, or fear of impending doom or loss of control."
It sounds like you have classic panic attack symptoms. Many who have panic attack also suffer from GAD, generalized anxiety disorder.
I've had numerous panic attacks since the age of 35. No severe ones lately, fortunately. I've also suffered generalized anxiety... which can take many forms, but for me usually presents as a slow building of 'stress' or 'pressure' throughout my body, as if I'm in a vice grip. This feeling can last for many hours... and decrease or increase in intensity. And it's often accompanied by headaches, dizziness, and occasionally agoraphobia.
I'm having more success this year by pursuing a more natural approach to my health. I've ditched some of the medications which I felt were making this worse (antidepressants.) I've balanced my dosage of Klonopin which I used to take haphazardly, and am now starting to taper off it completely. I'm being much more careful about what I eat and drink... reducing my caffeine intake considerably and drinking more water. I'm exercising more and sleeping better. And my anxiety has gone way down... despite being under rather intense stress in certain aspects of my life.
Good luck!
mark
"Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. During a panic attack, most likely your heart will pound and you may feel sweaty, weak, faint, or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb, and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may have nausea, chest pain or smothering sensations, a sense of unreality, or fear of impending doom or loss of control."
It sounds like you have classic panic attack symptoms. Many who have panic attack also suffer from GAD, generalized anxiety disorder.
I've had numerous panic attacks since the age of 35. No severe ones lately, fortunately. I've also suffered generalized anxiety... which can take many forms, but for me usually presents as a slow building of 'stress' or 'pressure' throughout my body, as if I'm in a vice grip. This feeling can last for many hours... and decrease or increase in intensity. And it's often accompanied by headaches, dizziness, and occasionally agoraphobia.
I'm having more success this year by pursuing a more natural approach to my health. I've ditched some of the medications which I felt were making this worse (antidepressants.) I've balanced my dosage of Klonopin which I used to take haphazardly, and am now starting to taper off it completely. I'm being much more careful about what I eat and drink... reducing my caffeine intake considerably and drinking more water. I'm exercising more and sleeping better. And my anxiety has gone way down... despite being under rather intense stress in certain aspects of my life.
Good luck!
mark
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