How do you know if you're having a panic attack?
544808
Signs and symptoms\nA panic attack often begins abruptly, peaks within 10 minutes and lasts about half an hour. But panic attacks have many variations. They may last hours or, on rare occasions, up to a day. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides.\n\nSigns and symptoms may include:\n\nRapid heart rate \nSweating \nTrembling \nShortness of breath and hyperventilation \nChills \nHot flashes \nNausea \nAbdominal cramping \nChest pain \nHeadache \nDizziness \nFaintness \nTightness in your throat \nTrouble swallowing \nA sense of impending death \nOther health problems — such as an impending heart attack, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or drug withdrawal — can cause similar signs and symptoms.\n\nPeople who experience panic attacks often are affected by other mental health conditions, including depression, fear of public places (agoraphobia) and social phobia.
432022
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and recurring panic attacks, also called anxiety attacks. Panic attacks are episodes of intense terror or fear which strike suddenly and without warning. It is important to note that if you have experienced a panic attack, this does not necessarily mean that you have or will develop panic disorder. Many people have experienced singular attacks without recurrence, and do not have panic disorder.\n\nref: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/panic_disorder_anxiety_attack_symptom_treatment.htm
334720
Panic attacks occur as we become anxious and our adrenaline levels increase.  These adrenaline rushes were inbuilt into our subconscious minds in the days when man was still living in ancient times, and came in useful when danger was around for example, a wild beast threatening his survival.  This survival instinct meant that man had the option of fighting or fleeing from the danger and this is where adrenaline was needed to deal with it.  Panic attacks are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' response.  The trouble is that in todays society, we have little need for releasing adrenaline in this way, so tension and anxiety build up within the body and mind and are shown in symptoms of stress such as panic attacks.  The good news is that many people overcome these uncomfortable and often debilitating symptoms associated with panic attacks via the use of various therapies.  Very helpful therapies include learning the art of relaxation and i would highly recommend seeing a qualified hypnotherapist or a behavioural counsellor who specialises in this area.  I always say that knowlege is power and would suggest reading a self-help book - Self-Help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes is enlightening and can be found in most local libraries.
444788
Find a good therapist that you are comfortable with and examine your life. A lot of people take the medication for a lot of mental health problems but they don't examine if this problem has a root in their every day life and routine. As in physical conditions some are inherited and some are brought on by bad eating habits.  The underlying cause for panic attacks is almost always due to a past stress or emotionally frightening experience. \n\nWhen you are having an attack notice the situation you are in and write down everything that was happening. If you notice similarities in the cause that is your first clue.\n\nIf your panic attacks resemble a heart attack in symptoms, the first thing to do is breathe into a bag and tell yourself that you are too young to have a heart condition (well if you do have one ignore this last bit !).\n\nOnce you tell yourself that the hyperventilating is simply your reaction to stress and not you dying, you are teaching yourself that stress is not dying. This was my experience, especially when I moved out on my own. It was really stressful and after a few panic attacks I was able to educate myself that this was a normal reaction to stress, accelerated heartbeat, shortness of breath and the fact that I was too young and too healthy to have a heart condition. \n\nI can say that I was in a state of emotional death because of a violent past and these attacks would manifest my fear of death and those emotions of being abandonned that I had suppressed to survive and I felt anxiety when I felt alone. Once I realised I was afraid of being alone because in my past my parents often threatened to leave us then I got over my anxiety.
147248
You definitely need to see your doctor.   These symptoms could be a variety of things, including heart attack as mentioned, but also gall bladder attack, though gall bladder attack doesn't usually last more than an hour or so.  Panic attacks might also be a possibliity.  In any case it is DEFINITELY something not best answered here but at your doctor's office!!!!!!
1009067
Most sufferers of panic attacks report a fear of dying, "going crazy", or losing control of emotions or behavior. These feelings generally provoke a strong urge to escape or flee the place where the attack began ("fight or flight" reaction) and, when associated with chest pain or shortness of breath, a feeling of impending doom and/or tunnel vision, frequently result in the sufferer seeking medical attention.\n\nThe panic attack is distinguished from other forms of anxiety by its intensity and its sudden, episodic nature. Panic attacks are often experienced by sufferers of anxiety disorders and other psychological conditions involving anxiety, though panic attacks are not always indicative of a mental disorder, nor are they uncommon. Up to 10 percent of otherwise healthy people experience an isolated panic attack per year, and 1 in 60 people in the U.S. will suffer from a panic disorder at some point in their lifetime.\n\nPeople with phobias will often experience panic attacks as a direct result of exposure to their trigger. These panic attacks are usually short-lived and self-limiting, as they will subside once the trigger no longer present.\n\nIn conditions of chronic anxiety, one panic attack can roll into another, leading to nervous exhaustion over a period of days.\n[edit]\n\nSymptoms\n\nThe symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly, without any apparent cause. They may include:\n\n    * Racing or pounding heartbeat or palpitations\n    * Sweating\n    * Chest pain/PVCs\n    * Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea\n    * Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)\n    * Tingling or numbness in the hands, face, feet or mouth\n    * A sudden feeling that everything around the person represents a threat. This can cause a person to either behave extremely defensively (perhaps even assuming the fetal position), or to become enraged and lash out violently.\n    * The loss of the ability to react logically to oncoming stimuli, and the loss of cognitive ability in general. One suffering from a panic attack will often only feel the attack and will be unable to assess why they are feeling the attack or what they can do to stop the sensation.\n    * Flushed face and chest\n    * Chills\n    * Dream-like sensation or perceptual distortion (derealization)\n    * Dissociation, or the perception that one is not connected to the body or is disconnected from space and time (depersonalization)\n    * Terror, or a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless to prevent it\n    * Vomiting\n    * Tunnel vision\n    * Fear of losing control and doing something embarrassing or going crazy\n    * Fear of dying\n    * Feeling of impending doom\n    * Trembling or "shivering"\n    * Crying\n    * Heightened senses\n    * Loud internal dialogue\n    * Exhaustion\n    * Vertigo\n\nA panic attack typically lasts from 2 to 8 minutes. More severe panic attacks may form a series of episodes waxing and waning every few minutes, only to be ended by physical exhaustion and sleep.\n\nThe various symptoms of a panic attack can be understood as follows. First, there is the sudden onset of fear with little or no provoking stimulus. This leads to a release of adrenaline (epinephrine) which brings about the so-called fight-or-flight response where the person's body prepares for major physical activity. This leads to an increased heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and sweating (which increases grip and aids heat loss). Because strenuous activity rarely ensues, the hyperventilation leads to a drop in carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and then in the blood. This leads to shifts in blood pH which can in turn lead to many other symptoms, such as tingling or numbness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. It is also possible for the person experiencing such an attack to feel as though they are unable to catch their breath, and they begin to take deeper breaths, which also acts to decrease c
537432
a panic attack is your bodys "fight or flight" reaction kicking in. the only difference is that its not considered rational at the moment that it happens. say you are walking in the jungle and a lion jumps out in front of you, thats the fight or flight reaction having a purpose. i have panic attacks, i know how you feel. no one ever died from a panic attack even though it can make you feel like it. if you need couseling try www.onestepatatime.com or if you just want someone to talk to you can talk to me. kristeena911@yahoo.com Good luck!
959968
you need to eat food or are having a anxiety attack go see your family doctor and get you blood checked
847494
sounds like either a panic attack or sleep apnea (holding your breath while sleeping) both of which are very common\n\nsleep apnea tends to happen more frequently than once a year but can be very dangerous if it continues or gets worse in a person that isn't treated for it.\n\npanic attacks are common as well-nightmares can sometimes trigger them during sleep.\n\nsymptoms of a panic attack are:\n\n-palpitations (racing heart)\n-overwhelming feeling of panic or feeling like you are going to die\n-shortness of breath\n-chest pain or tightness\n-sweating\n-dizziness or faintness\n\nif you have any of those symptoms-best thing to do is lie down in a comfortable,dark,quiet room. place a cool washcloth on your forehead and focus on taking slow, deep breaths (this will help slow your heartrate down). get something cool to drink and take small,frequent sips. remain lying down until you fall asleep or feel calm enough to get back up.\n\nif this happens again in the near future-make an appt with your family dr. there are medications that can be given at night to help you sleep and ward off the panic attacks and there are also medications and methods to treat sleep apnea if you have it.\n\ngood luck
943547
No. No one has ever died from a panic attack. Stress taxes the body and isn't healthy, but you don't have a panic attack, get a racing heart, feel faint and die. Never happens.\nAnxiety disorders and panic attacks are not mental or physical illnesses,  they are simply behavioral conditions.
1009035
Yes, it is a form of paranoia and can be found in many mental illnesses. All you can do is anchor yourself and try to get past the panic attack. Talk to your dr about getting an "as needed" med for those attacks.
748026
they will not think you are week. anxiety is a problems that usually comes from from being overly stressed, many medications help control this so you dont get the panic attacks and so you feel more relaxed again and you wont worry so much. you should just tell them you are really stressed out and are having anxiety or (panic attacks) and would like to talk to a doc about it. take care and see the doc
838005
That sounds like agoraphobia.. its the phobia of going out of the home and dealing with people.   It is part of depression and a social anxiety order its actually both.    I use to suffer from the same thing if you see a psychologist they can help you over come that fear and anxiety, but you have to be willing for it to work.\n\nSymptoms of a panic attack may include:2\n\nRapid breathing (hyperventilation), shortness of breath, or feeling "smothered." \nA pounding or racing heart or an irregular heartbeat. \nChest pain. \nLightheadedness. \nSweating. \nA choking feeling. \nNausea or an upset stomach. \nDizziness, shaking, or trembling. \nNumbness or tingling. \nChills or hot flashes. \nFear that you are going to die, lose control, or "go crazy." \nFeelings of being detached from yourself or from reality
122364
I suffer from panic attacks and I can tell you first hand that it feels kind of like a heart attack.  You lose your breath and start to hyperventalite then your heart starts to pound like it's going to jump right out of your chest and sometimes if it's worse enough you will loose all control of your hands. (They just curl up and you can't move them it's from the loss of oxegen in your body from hyperventaling). Panic attacks are very painfull for the people that suffer from them.  And there can be many reasons behind a panic attack such as stress,a death in the family that you was close to,etc; But there is treatment for it I am taking alprazolam which is the other form of zanex and I have not had any since.  I hope that this answered your question.  good luck!!
260502
I get panic attacks too. You feel like you are going to pass out and your heart rate goes thru the roof.. right?\n\nHave to talked to your doctor about medication? Maybe they can perscribe something to help you. \n\nWhen I know I'm having a panic attack, I call my father and he talks me thru it. It's all in your head. Worrying about them can bring them on. You have to de stress yourself. And when you have them, call SOMEBODY and just talk, not about your panic attack, just about anything. If your parents know you get them and you are close with them, call them and expalin what is going on and why you are calling. Freaking out about them whil you are having one will make it worse. I'm saying to call (or talk) to someone because it takes your mind off of it while it's happening. While you are talking, lay down. It will go away sooner than it normally takes and it's not as scary. And remember, control your breathing while you are having one. That will slow the heart rate back to normal. In thru the nose, out thru the mouth. You CAN control it (panic attacks).\n\nHope I helped.
71829
Oh please. It doesn't necessarily mean you're pregnant. You could be just having panic attacks. Are there any stressful events going on in your life, lately? It could also be low blood pressure, or low blood sugar... And make sure you take a multivitamin. This happened to me when I was on the South Beach Diet, and wasn't eating normally...
213174
sounds like panic attacks, but it's really hard to say.  You could see a doctor, but those psychiatric medications they may prescribe can be really poisonous