DISQUS

Jake · 7 months ago

Hyperventilating is a big symptom when it comes to Panic Attacks. Usually your hands will go stiff and go into an awkward position. This is because when you are hyperventilating your body is deprived of oxygen and takes blood from your hands or other limbs to keep the blood around your body flowing.
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Laura J · 7 months ago

If panic attacks make you feel uncomfortable, why would you want to count the heart palpitations, the dizziness, the sweaty palms and the sheer feeling of almost falling to your death something you want others to clarify for you?

The answerer above seems to be talking about a low blood sugar attack, like hypoglycemia which can be solved with a glass of orange juice.
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percys2001 · 7 months ago

there are alot of symptoms, because everyone is different but here are some you might relate too....difficulty breathing, tight throat sensation, rapid heart pounding at night(these are killer im glad i dont have them anymore or as much)feeling of loss, or that the world is at an end, no end in sight, feeling literally crushed mentally like big depression. panic attacks are also triggered by heat, heat will make you uncomfortable and then triggers yer heart rate which triggers yer ability to breath...more over anything is breathing problems such as, your breathing feels like you are working to breathe, you are breathing too fast (hyperventilating getting to much oxygen to your brian which can cause you to pass out) anyways, im dealing with panic attacks, i used to have chronic panic attacks, now its controlled more or less.
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Denise · 7 months ago

Shallow breathing, racing thoughts, racing heart, nausea, light-headedness, dry mouth, clammy hands.....these are the symptoms I get.
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Ali · 7 months ago

Not being able to breathe, can't think straight, get dizzy, can't see and feeling perilously overwhelmed are the things I feel when I have a panic attack.
One suggestion I have is to talk to a doctor or counselor if these occur frequently.
Good Luck!
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badgerrrs · 7 months ago

Hi,

Sorry to hear that you are having this problem. There are many many symptoms of panic/ anxiety syndrome.

Rapid pulse, sweats, feeling like the air is not enough, feeling like you are going to have a heart attack,light headdedness, various pains, numbness in the hands/ arms. I feel for you if you are going through this.

Often panic attacks come about after some trauma or past life event. Sometimes this reason is known to you, sometimes not. These panics can be literally triggered by nothing. It is what they call the fight or flight response, but you probably know this.

I have suffered from panics since I was physically and mentally bullied as a child and hoipefully it seems like I have turned a corner.

Have you considered counselling ?

But that is not for everyone. There is a really good PDF file that you can google. Just google Social anxiety PDF. I found it extremely helpful and it works. Also there are many relaxation tapes that help. There is a Doctor down south called Doctor Albert Smith. Try and google him, his tapes are very helpful.

Email me anytime if you want to talk. I also have a blog that you can go to and contact me privately.

http://alonehelp.blogspot.com/ It is a voluntary non profit blog that is just for anyone that wants to talk in confidentiality.

Paul
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shadowgirl · 7 months ago

DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Panic Attack:
A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes:
1) palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
2) sweating
3) trembling or shaking
4) sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
5) feeling of choking
6) chest pain or discomfort
7) nausea or abdominal distress
8) feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
9) derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
10) fear of losing control or going crazy
11) fear of dying
12) paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)
13) chills or hot flushes
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Wikipedia - However the DSM IV is not necessarily the most useful thing for diagnosing illnesses. It is more of a guideline.

KrissyP · 7 months ago

I used to have generalized anxiety as well as panic attacks. I went to the dr. who informed me that I was actually depressed from the sheer exhaustion of pretending that I was fine everyday when I was not. I was constantly dizzy and would have feeling of doom. As I saw the dr, he gave me Zoloft, and it did cure my attacks. I hadn't had one in years. I came off of Zoloft in Sept of 07. I have had 2 times since then that the start of my panic came back. But since I knew exactly what was wrong with me so I didn't allow myself to be scared as I knew exactly what was going to happen. For me this was a panic attack. (BTW the two starts that I have had after going off of Zoloft, of panic attacks, I was able to stop as I knew what was happening.) But this is what would happen to me. First I would lose the sensation of sight in my left eye only. There was a small spot that I just could not see. After that I knew that the next thing was I would start to have a feeling of numbness that would start in my hand and travel up my arm, then it would go into my throat and neck and tongue, and continue down only on my left side to my leg and foot. I sometimes would be this way for at least 10 minutes. I was so scared and thought that I had just had a stroke. But when I went to this particular Dr, he knew exactly what was happening to me. I just feel lucky that the Zoloft worked for me. I was 28 years old when I went on the Zoloft, and felt that I wanted to see what happened when I went off of it now. My decision had nothing to do with the new findings about depression drugs not working and making people suicidal at all. I just wanted to see where I was. Turned out to be the right thing for me. I still have Klonopin but it is used for each time I get anxious which is very little now. So I wish you luck!! Take care,
kmpick88
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