I am having a panic attack right now

[suzi-q]

I am at work and I am a kindergarten teacher...I am having a panic attack as we speak...my heart is racing, I have that warm feeling, have pressure in the chest and feel a heavy head.  I have had these many times before, and I am sick of it....I am in the middle of a nice project with them and I feel so sick...I need to hear one of my cyberbuddies tell me I am going to be ok...anyone out there??

[Brandon K]

You'll be fine.  Especially since you said that you have had these many times before.  If it is something that has happened before then you know you'll be ok.  If something totally different comes about that's when you should know that yuo need help, at least that what the doctors told me, even though I still struggle all the time and it has become unbearable for me.  But, as long as the symptoms are familiar you'll be ok.

[suzi-q]

Thank you Brandon....I just feel like crying right now...I truly hate this disease, illness, whatever it is...I usually do very well with it, but it is a constant battle...I am just so sick of fighting.

[Brandon K]

I'm right there with you.  I am in constant pain 24/7 and it's getting worse.  that's why I don't know what's going on with me.  I just hope that it is just anxiety.

[396SS]

Yes, remember it is just symptoms.  Try not to focus on them, stay on task at work.  Try to keep busy or get busier even.  In the moment I get mad too, tired of it too.  But, then, when I feel good - I am somewhat forgetful of that feeling and anger.  It is a temporary moment in time.  Just think of people who are sick with cancer, etc. that doesn't go away at all.  You are capable of handling it.  Everyone has something, a cross to bear.  This is ours.  In your mind, just think, shoot, this is just a racy heart and some clammy hands - I'm tough, this is nothing and it will pass.  Just say "screw it!"  It doesn't help to get mad - anger starts mine off.  Hope you feel better:)

[suzi-q]

Thank you!

[Raine9]

Just wanted to offer some words of support since you have done so for me in the past.  I was getting that warm feeling in my chest too a couple of weeks ago.  I've been feeling tense lately and you know why.  I'm scared of doing anything about my situation.  You'll be fine.  Let the kids be your distraction.  
Good luck and keep us up to date.  

[trs123]

i have a qustions is there a reason you guys get the panic attacks like i kwno you cant help them but what is the reaons for them like i mena getting hurt ect

[fyulaba]

suzi-q,

Try this next time: Take a deep breath and hold it in for 20 seconds, then very slowly exhale. Afterward, look into a mirror and tell yourself that this is all in your mind, and that you ARE NOT having trouble breathing, and your ARE NOT having chest pains. I know it sounds really lame, but it works! Especially if you are very adamant about it.

Hope this helps,
Jason

[suzi-q]

There is no rhyme or reason why we suffer from panic attacks.  Something in our brain triggers a response that makes the chemicals in the brain feel there is a dangerous or serious situation happening...Why it happens is unsure.  I have read that studies show that we train our brains (subconsciously of course) to react to certain normal situations with a panic response....don't know the exact wording nor do I have a thorough understanding...so my true answer to your question WHY DO ANXIETY ATTACKS HAPPEN?  is BEATS ME!!!!!!

[Clara1990]

Right now I'm stressing, I have to wake up at 8:45am to get ready for a 6 hour shift at work & I can't sleep it's already 3:30 in the morning! I don't know what's really wrong with me but I can describe it. To start off, I feel nauseous, my stomach is making noises like as if it's turning upside down with water in it. My second feeling is shortness of breath, 3rd lightheaded, I'm shaking and I just cannot seem to lay down without feeling sicker. I don't know what to do! And to make matters even worse, I'm emetophobic (fear or vomiting) so that doesn't make this any better for me right now. Does anyone have a clue of what's wrong with me? I'm driving myself crazy! I just wanna sleep! :(  

[Clara1990]

Oh and just as a coping method, whenever you do have a panic attack or anxiety attack, I can tell you how to feel better fast! My key is to lay down, take slow breaths & lift your left or right (depending on which is more comfortable for you) over the other with the leg you chose to stay on the floor arched, like as if your crossing your legs (the man way) but laying down. It's amazing how fast you start to relax. Also I bring a picture in a locket necklace of my mom cuz she's my security blanket. I can just hear her saying "clara, your gunna be ok" right through the picture. I love my mom. Goodluck & hope this helps.  

[salvatore303]

i went to the hostpital like 6 times,1 was an ambulance ride it felt like i was haveing a heart attack, my finger tips went numb chest tightens,hard to breath, thought heart was straning,bout to puke,but this was all an anexity attack (panic attack) creepy feeling just got to fight it i guess or get medication for it. could some one answer this b/c at nights is when i would get it the worst just need support.

salvatore,

[frog80]

I am teacher in first grade and have a student with special needs.  He has these outbursts and I don't know when they are going to happen and if they will turn physical.  I have started to have anxiety attacks in the middle of class and have tried very hard to not cry in the middle of class.  By the end of the day my hands are shaking and just some one looking at me can make me cry.  I have only suffered this once before with another student who was abusive with other students.  I am fine on Saturdays but once Sunday rolls around, I get a knot in my chest and my hands start to shake and I start crying again.  I am not sure if I go back if my doctor will put me back on Lexapro.

[helenhattee]

Im also suffering from Anxiety attacks and have felt dreadful all morning and i just wanna go home and lay down in my bed and cry till it goes away.

Im going for hypnotherapy in a couple of weeks in the hope that it will cure my anxiety.  I have had hypnosis several times for other reasons and they have worked so i have faith that it will work for this to.

[Jen8773]

I am a 22  yr old female who like the rest of you suffers from panic attacks anxiety etc. I wish it would go away! Like the rest of you do. I've read that some of you get the shortness of breath & tight chest well i get the feeling that im going crazy or im going to die then after about 5min or so it gos away...the worst damn 5 min i've ever experienced. I'm on zoloft 50 mg well just started taking 75mg about a week ago i havent noticed a difference yet im sure it needs time to kick in. If not then i suppose i will have to go back to the docs. To those out there who arent on meds please go see your doc there is help out there for these probs, you DONT have to FIGHT it. I'll be praying for all of you and for myself...just remember everyone has their problems and this one is ours life is just that way i suppose. God bless all of you out there suffering..im right there w/ ya...Even w/ the meds im taking. Hopefully they will start to work again.

[TamaraJane]

I have always suffered from panic attacks, but usually only 3-4 times a year. 3 months ago i had a massive panic attack and now i live in complete Anxiety, SOmetimes i feel good, but other times i feel like there is somthing more wrong with me and it cant be in my head. I am now taking Xanax, but its not enough to get rid of the horrible things that come into my mind only the body symptoms. The Symptoms i suffer with are - Chest Pain, Shortness of Breathe, DIzziness (feel like going to faint), Nausea, Derealization, Tingling and Heat. Its good to hear that im not alone, But sometimes i feel the fight is so hard.

[ceruleanfox]

man...i'm so glad that i'm not the only one who has anxiety issues. i'm anxious for no reason at all it drives me crazy!!!!!!! I can't fight it!!

[GenieWishes]

My mum  is my security blanket  to,
i have severe panic attacks i  even became  agrophobic and need to take medicaition i had up to 5 major panic attacks a day now its more like 5 medium ones a week,,  but i  know you will all be ok because your dealing with it and you have to be strong,,
If you stop  a panic attack it will come back  worse so just ride  it  out, nothing will happen yea you   may  feel a bit light headed  hot and all that but you know you will get through it .
One day you will be your old self again.

It really gets me down because i cant go out with my mates but they understand and im even managing to get back   on the train, yes very panicky but im doing it.

Just  believe in yourselves we can do it!!!! LOL

i have
panic attacks
anxiety
seperation disorder
o.c.d
deppression
insomnia
i am cynical and defensive
am irritable with outbursts of anger
and accident prone

Well thats  me! hope i did nt make you bored! <3

[gregm34]

i cant keep doing this every day

[tyronewave]

I normally don't do forums, but I thought that since right now I'm in the midst of a panic attack (actually an intermittant, lingering one going on about 3 weeks now) it would be therapeutic to type something.  Foggy head; pressure in chest, ears, belabored breathing at times; general uncomfortability--it's all there.  I believe I know the catalyst: a war in my subconcious because of my feelings of subworth due to lack of work, inability to do much constructively due to general lethargy, and good ol' cabin fever in this lovely month of Feb. in the midwest.  

I have had these before, 25 years ago even, they've surfaced maybe a half-dozen times since then, but this has been the worst.  See, I'm already calming down.  That's all it is folks, our heads are overloaded either with too much or too little.  The balance is off, but, for most of us, it can be reattained with a few minutes of talking to yourself (never let anyone tell you that's wrong) and a few relaxation exercises--just slow your breathing and halt your 'bad thought' assembly line.

I must mention a couple things that maybe you people can relate to as well.  I have sinus issues and many times that can disorient me--it's like a trigger that leads to overthought about your state.  I also smoke occasionally, so, of course, I begin to think the worst (which is possible but not probable concerning these instances).  We sufferers all have very active imaginations, which sometimes gets us into this trouble; instead, use that imagination to let you loose from the company of this unwelcomed visitor.

I bid you all even breathing, clarity and equilibrium.

[PhilyChiTown]

This forum helped me to simmer down and relax. I never felt anything like that before. Hot then cold. Threw up. Laid down for 20 minutes. Then it really hit. Read your amazing posts and all I can say is thank you.

[GonnaBeOkay]

Thanks to all of you - for some reason having someone say "just calm down" works when I'm aware of what's happening to me.  I've acctually gone to the hospital during an attack and couldn't even communicate a clear thought - and the nurse's wouldn't let me see a doctor and gave me a list of referalls. Well, the referalls were to the family doctors who told me to go to the hospital and get on meds first, so they could treat me as a follow up!  I called a psychiatrist and it's $450 cash, they don't take insurance, and that's cash upfront, per visit (with no guarantee they'll be able to fix me), plus the cost of meds. I tried calling the state funded community mental health clinic and they are at full cappacity and they have a 2 year waiting list! Unreal ain't it?  I usually turn to drinking, but then wind up with worse anxiety the morning after!  I can't drink anymore. I now have a felony charge, CPS took my kids and I had to jump through hoops of fire to get them back. I had to leave my home and job to move closer to my kids since my mother had temporary custody (which I signed over while I was in jail so they wouldn't go to foster care). So, once I was released, I worked two new jobs, went to daily rehab, all while living in my car because part of CPS's conditions were I couldn't stay at my mothers house, plus payin probation/legal fees, while trying to get into a new home because CPS wouldn't give my kids back until I proved I could provide a home (even though I was forced to leave my home because of there involvement!) And also my little brother was recently killed - a passenger in a drunk driving accident, his best friend was the driver - I still have a hard time explaining my feelings towards that, so I'll spare you that for now.  My anxiety is the root of my drinking - so just a warning - our issues are not excepted.... don't self medicate, start seeking a doctor now, because you could be on a 2 year waiting list to get help!  I've been suffering almost daily for 10 years now.  It started when I was 15 - I got a break when I was 19 for a year.  It came back worse than before. I'm 24 now and puttin a shot gun, cocked and loaded in my mouth was definately the wake up call.  I can't lie - I finally felt at peace when the gun was in my mouth and knowing it would all be over soon, but then I snapped back to reality and thought of my children, so I layed the gun down and refuse to ever be in that position again!  What I was about to do was not me at all. It's not just in your head - it's real.  On good days, you can talk yourself out of it - other days you have no control and it progressively gets worse.  I couldn't imagine suffering daily physical pain - but the pain I experience emotionally and mentally is literally destroying my soul and completely altering who I really am, the person I want to be, and the mother my kids need me to be!    .......... phew.... glad I got that out.

[sweetypi]

Hi all, my panic attacks are becoming more frequent and it is really getting to me. I'm not sure if anyone else has these symptoms but, I feel my heart racing really fast out of no where and it throws me into a panic attack. Also I have noticed I tend to get them more at night or wake up in the middle of the night with a full blown attack. I've tried relaxation and deep breathing techniques but nothing is working. I also take ativan when needed, which seems to be more often lately. Does anyone know of anything I can do to stop them or at least control them while there happening? They terrify me to the point my heart rate can reach 180 bpm.Thanks for listening to me and I hope you all feel better soon.

[sweetypi]

Hi all, my panic attacks are becoming more frequent and it is really getting to me. I'm not sure if anyone else has these symptoms but, I feel my heart racing really fast out of no where and it throws me into a panic attack. Also I have noticed I tend to get them more at night or wake up in the middle of the night with a full blown attack. I've tried relaxation and deep breathing techniques but nothing is working. I also take ativan when needed, which seems to be more often lately. Does anyone know of anything I can do to stop them or at least control them while there happening? They terrify me to the point my heart rate can reach 180 bpm.Thanks for listening to me and I hope you all feel better soon.