I think I might have had one tonight,but I have never experienced one before,so I am unsure. I was having dinner with my sister,and all the sudden I felt dizzy,and then scared,and I wasn't sure what was going on,but the first thing I thought of was I was going to die,so I almost told her to take me to the hospital,but I just took deep breathes,and talked with her,and I was able to calm down.

[Edited 12/24/12 1:48am]

I've never had one myself, but every time my sister in law has had them, she has always mistaken it for other things like asthma, or heart trouble (heart beats too fast and she has a hard time to breathe) and she has gone to the ER many times only to be told each time it's an anxiety/panic attack. Sounds really scary In her case, the episodes all stopped when she switched jobs - she always said it didn't stress her out, but it DID.

Take care

With me, I start to shake then tightness in chest and neck,
have difficulty in breathing on occasions I have collapsed/fainted. I sometimes
take flight and try get to some place I can attempt to deal with it, other
times it rivets me to the floor. When it hits hard it’s difficult to remind ones
self that panic attacks won’t kill me, but they can make you feel ill while
trying to recover.

My advice is if it keeps happening find someone that you can
trust and has understanding. Maybe go to the doctors. But it all honesty only
you can understand and try and control, to work out why and what works for you
to control the attacks.

I hope you never have the feeling again

Sounds like what you went through is actually a panic attack. I had a couple of them while dealing with an asshole boyfriend at the time. All of a sudden I was dizzy, seeing bright blinking lights, heart was beating over time, shortness of breath, I wanted to cry but couldn't, and was barely standing. I remember I had to find a chair and quick. My mom calmed me down the first time, one of my friends the 2nd time. Thankfully, ever since I got rid of the guy, I haven't had any panic attacks since.

For me a little hard to breath and heart starts to beat faster.

Thankfully, I haven't had one in a long time, but I used to have them daily. It'd always start with racing thoughts, I'd be thinking a bunch of stuff all at the same time. I'd get heart palpatations, an overwhelming feeling of fear, hot flashes, difficulty breathing, tunnel vision, and a hand tremor.

Physically with myself....Couyldn't breath or more like it felt thst I wasn't extracting the Oxygen from the air I was taking in....My heart beat faster and possibly rhythmless.....and Blinking seemto be a problemand my sense of touch seemed distant as if I was wearing gloves and I had the impression tat my chest was empty...no heart no lungs just space.

Mentally.....it was hopless, I was hopless...and it all was pointless because I been hopeless couldn't change anything...thankfully I forced my way through it..

It has happened a couple of times and it scares the fuck out of me,to think that some time I won't be able to get over it.

Easily said, but hold the thoughts of those closest to you in your head all the time...relive the joy you have in your life.....remember the challenges you have faced and conquered not just when you have an attack but every day, so that if you have an another attack then these strong feelings may help you guide your way tthrough it.

I've never had one myself, but I have treated over 100 people with Panic Disorder/ Agoraphobia for a reasearch project.

From interviewing even more people, I know that Panic attacks are horrible to experience, however, not physical threatening.

It usually starts with unfamiliar sensations, oftentimes stress related.

For example, dizziness, rapid heart beat, sweating, palpations, tingling feeling in hands or feet, feeling waek legs (allthoug you don't really fall, it feels as if you will), foggy in head, and there are many more.

These sensations catch you unprepared. Because of the intensity and unexpectedness of the experience, your brain gets the message that ther must be danger.

As if the sensations are the proof that there is something horrible wrong with your body.

Mainly, these physical sensations are interpretated as being a forebode of a heart attack, fainting, going crazy or losing bowel control.

You can imagine the fear of a person who is convinced he/she is dying. That fear is overwhelming!

Subsequently, your body expresses this fright.

So, on top of the first sensations, your body now is in full fear mode and exposes the sensations that come with that.

The physical stress symptoms get stronger. So, your heart will be racing now, you will be sweating and feel even weaker.

This all is happening in a time frame of seconds. To fast to be aware of the whole process.

However, you do feel the accelerated anxiety symptoms fully.

And you already thought these are symptoms of heart attack/ other attack/ fainting/ going crazy/ losing bowel control.

So, it's logical to interpret these intensified symptoms, of proof, that something really bad is happening to you.

And there you go again, extra fear will again ellicit extra symptoms, and can convince you that you actually are dying.

That is the vicious cirle that you can get caught up in, especially if you don't know about how it works.

As you can read in the responses, oftentimes panic attacks occur when a partner/work/family member or anything else in your life has been building up stress for you.

It's wise to check what is stressing you out and what you can do about it. Protect yourself against to much harmfull stress!

If you get more attacks and you notice that you start avoiding things because you think it will elicit an attack, it's time to seek help.

Orgnote me if you want more advice or have questions.

[Edited 12/24/12 10:42am]

Link that you can check out:

http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/april2007/panic_attacks.html

peacenlovealways said:

For me a little hard to breath and heart starts to beat faster.

This, plus the feeling like you need to leave. Basically, it feels like panic

Not a fun feeling, but once you identify it, you can learn to manage it.

I just started having them- i think.

im making an appointment with a doctor after christmas to make sure everything is on the up and up.

I haven't had one in a long time but it's everything you described. I was behind the wheel when it my last one happened. I pulled over and had to get out the car.

I thought I was dying. Stressed and overwhelmed from my job at that time. Saw my doctor, changed my diet by cutting out a lot of sodium and things have been good.

Panic attacks trigger the "fight-or-flight" response. Essentially, you suddenly feel like you're in danger (even though you aren't) and that you have to get back to a safe location (e.g. home or another familiar place). Things seem surreal. You feel like you can't breathe.

They're brought about by hyperventilating (hence, breathing into a paper bag can quell them). One coping technique is "square breathing".

Best to nip this nonsense in the bud, as it can snowball and take over your life. Talk to a psychiatrist. Anti-depressants can help.

I know all about this shit, unfortunately. I passed out and hit my head, many years ago. Began experiencing panic attacks from that point. I'm on Zoloft now and that helps.

If you have any questions, please feel free to orgNote.

Ace said:

Panic attacks trigger the "fight-or-flight" response. Essentially, you suddenly feel like you're in danger (even though you aren't) and that you have to get back to a safe location (e.g. home or another familiar place). Things seem surreal. You feel like you can't breathe.

They're brought about by hyperventilating (hence, breathing into a paper bag can quell them). One coping technique is "square breathing".

Best to nip this nonsense in the bud, as it can snowball and take over your life. Talk to a psychiatrist. Anti-depressants can help.

I know all about this shit, unfortunately. I passed out and hit my head, many years ago. Began experiencing panic attacks from that point. I'm on Zoloft now and that helps.

If you have any questions, please feel free to orgNote.

My story is the reverse...I fell on site and banged my head..Double fractured, saw the gates and all that

Since then I don't really worry about things but see the positive in every corner of my world...I'm very lucky...and side effect is no Panic attacks...or ones I don't remember...side effect of the accident is my memory is pretty crap

i have panic disorder and i get them all the time but most of the time they are managable. U did have a panic attack those are all the qualifications of one. U should go to a therapist immediatly because they can be dangerous if u get them at work or while driving and u never know wen they might strike.

Hmm that sounds like a panic attack you experienced. Usually I found stress is one of the main factors of a panic attack...

LionsAndTigers said:

Thankfully, I haven't had one in a long time, but I used to have them daily. It'd always start with racing thoughts, I'd be thinking a bunch of stuff all at the same time. I'd get heart palpatations, an overwhelming feeling of fear, hot flashes, difficulty breathing, tunnel vision, and a hand tremor.

This is what happened to me, but mine lasted for about 2 months. I guess it really was a nervous breakdown because I was a complete mess. That shit threw my ass for a loop. I couldn't do shit...couldn't eat, couldng't sleep, couldn't find enjoyment in a damn thing. I wouldn't wish that feeling on anybody. Nah, I'm lying. I would wish it on my worst enemy.

i have had a few this year

You feel like your whole world is crumbling and that there is nothing ~ absolutely nothing u can do about it

You cry uncontrollably and gasp for air

Your heart rate increases and the back of your neck feels like it's on fire

And no matter how much people try to help you - you just cant see the light

Its hard to get out of bed and u can not motivate yourself to do anything - no matter what

you feel like u have no energy and can not even eat.....sleep deprivation is also normal during this time

The only thing i can recommend - which really did help me is use your friends... ring them, bother them, talk to them - take up offers for company and support..... that's what really really helped me

my friends here, and in real life helped me get through some very difficult and dark days.

also, the panic / anxiety attacks often lead to deep depression and you will have to go see a doctor

i'm all good now

~ I've been going through this also for almost 2 years. Lots of ups and downs.

I just take it day by day and try not to give in to the fear.

They can't kill U. This is the hardest part...believeing that.

jfrost said:

My story is the reverse...I fell on site and banged my head..Double fractured, saw the gates and all that

Since then I don't really worry about things but see the positive in every corner of my world...

I've come around to that perspective, too. But it had nothing to do with the panic attacks. Just good therapy and certain life experiences.

Sorry to hear that you had that horrible fall. But glad to hear that you're doing well!

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your experiences here. Wishing the best for all of you. May the new year bring you much happiness!