why do i always feel like im going to die?

in 2008 my parents past away, ive had my 1year taken by her grandma,for several months i didnt know were i was going to live. since then ive had really bad panic attacks i guess you would call them, since then my life has turend around but i still have this feeling like im going to die like my heart just going to stop working or im going to have a heart attack. ill be fine then all of a sudden ill get this nevesness feeling and i feel like i cant breath and my chest starts hurting,my pams of my hands get sweaty. i just want to know what is this?

please help me

[WendyLady03]

It definitely sounds like a panic attack, and after all you've been through in the last little while it wouldn't be surprising if you were having issues with anxiety. My first panic attack I ended up at the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack or a stroke. The things that happen physically during a panic attack are incredibly scary and I really felt that I was going to die. But I learned that it's just anxiety, I wasn't dying, and I wasn't going crazy.

You should definitely talk to a doctor so they can rule out any other medical condition. Then if it is anxiety you can start taking the right steps to get better. Anxiety and panic attacks are horrible, and they're hard to deal with on your own. You have a lot of different options as far as treating it, so I would get to a doctor as soon as you can so you don't have to feel awful anymore. Let me know how things go, good luck!!

[mammo]

Do see your doctor to make sure all is okay.  But I can see where anxiety would be causing you to have panic attacks.  You've been thru an awful lot, with so much to deal with.  Anxiety can manifest itself in us in many different ways and in varying degrees, causing panic attacks that make you feel like you are having a heart attack.  I think therapy would help you so much.  Somewhere inside you I think you are still struggling with all this and therapy will teach you how to cope better. You've got to understand that nobody has ever died from a panic attack.  What happens is your brain gets the "fight or flight" signal which happens when you are in trouble and feel the need to fight or run.  The problem is that this is happening when it's not needed and floods our bodies with adrenaline so that we can fight or whatever. But the body doesn't need all this adrenaline and this results in a racing heart, dizziness, sweating, fear, which is what we call a "panic attack."  They are terrifying and scare you even more which makes it worse.  The best thing to do is to get busy doing something physical so that the adrenaline has something to work on, talk yourself down by saying "I'm okay this is a normal function coming at the wrong time," and watch your breathing.  We tend to breathe more shallow and this makes it worse.  So make sure you are breathing in slowly and deeply thru your nose, and slowly out of your mouth.  See a professional for a diagnosis, and go from there.  You will be okay, there is a lot of meds to control panic attacks.  Know you're not alone and many of us have been thru this and are always here to support you or offer advice.  Take care..

[cj29]

I am so sorry that you are going through this right now.  With all you have been through, have you considered going to go get counseling if it is available?  For me, my anxiety can really peak when mulitple stressors are added.  You have had a lot on your plate, so don't beat yourself up over how you feel...it takes a lot of courage to face what you are dealing with.  There are many groups or one on one therapy that could really help in my opinion.  Why not go talk to your doctor about this and go get a referral to a therapist?