“I feel like I’m losing my mind!” “Am I having a heart attack?” “I can’t breathe!” “I can’t stop shaking!” “What is happening to me?” If you have ever experienced feelings like this, likely out of the blue, you may have experienced a panic attack. Panic attacks can be very scary. They can make you feel as though you are dying.
Panic attacks tend to occur during major changes and transitions in life, such as divorces, changes in jobs, going to college, having children, getting in married, etc. These big life changes can feel sudden and can sometimes trigger us to have a panic attack. According to HelpGuide.org, most of the symptoms that one experiences during a panic attack are physical. These symptoms can become emotional and mental when the fear of having another panic attack arises. Some indicators that you may be having a panic attack include:
An increase in heartrate
Trembling/shaking
Sweating
Hyperventilating/trouble breathing
Chest pain
Hot/Cold flashes
Feeling distant or detached
Headache or feeling lightheaded
Upset stomach/nausea
Physical or mental numbness
“Losing control”
Feeling like you are going to die
These are some of the most common symptoms that are associated with having a panic attack. It is no wonder that people who suffer from panic attacks fear having them again. According to HelpGuide.org, it is not uncommon for people who are experiencing a panic attack to check themselves into the hospital for believing they are having a heart attack.
I have had many experiences with panic attacks. They are extremely painful, but they are not all the same. I have talked to others who have experienced panic attacks, and it was surprising to hear how different one person’s experience can be from another’s. There was one time that I had a panic attack, and I felt completely numb. I was completely distraught. My face was soaking wet with tears, and I felt like I was choking, but I couldn’t feel emotion. It felt like my brain wasn’t functioning. I couldn’t think about anything. I couldn’t process what was happening. I just sat there, not moving, not talking. I felt detached from everything around me. On the other end of the spectrum was a complete and total breakdown where I felt like I was going to keel over and die. My heart was racing to the point of chest pain. I was sweating and hyperventilating. I began to feel dizzy and couldn’t walk straight. I felt like I was going to throw up. I was crying hysterically. Instead of feeling nothing, I felt everything. I felt extremely agitated. I lashed out, screamed, and cried. I felt like I was losing my mind. I questioned my own sanity.
Two attacks, two totally different characteristics. It is hard to say what triggered them, and it is hard to say why they were so different, but it has caused me to fear going into either of those states of minds again. I have also become paranoid of the way others view me because of witnessing my panic attacks. Some people have been very supportive. They weren’t afraid to get on my level and talk me through it. They held me and tried to make me feel safe and secure. On the other hand, there are those people who roll their eyes and walk past you, thinking that it is all for attention. It is a scary thought -- the thought that no one will believe that something is actually wrong. I am forever grateful to those who have been supportive, but the actions and words of those who thought my attacks were for “attention” are permanently trapped in mind, and it makes me paranoid that those who are supportive are actually judging me.
Panic attacks are nothing to laugh about, and they are not something to scoff at either. They are physically and emotionally draining. For those of you who experience panic attacks, it is important to remember that in the end, you will be OK. GetHelp.org recommends several solutions including some self-help tips and medication and professional treatment. Some things we can do for ourselves includes avoiding cigarettes, practicing deep breathing, limiting caffeine and learning more about panic disorders. If panic attacks become more frequent, I highly recommend making an appointment with your family doctor or making a visit to a therapist. These people are here to help you, not judge you.
If you are ever in a situation where you feel like you might encounter a panic attack or are already having a panic attack, try to remain calm, take deep breaths and remember that everything will be OK.
