What is a Panic Attack?
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Panic Disorders are repeated episodes of intense fear that strike often and without warning. Physical symptoms include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, feelings of unreality, and fear of dying. \nGeneralized Anxiety Disorders are constant, exaggerated worrisome thoughts and tension about everyday routine life events and activities, lasting at least six months. Almost always anticipating the worst even though there is little reason to expect it; accompanied by physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache, or nausea. \n\nYes you can have symptoms even when you aren't aware of feeling stressed.  For more info go to the National Institute for Mental Health website at nimhinfo@nih.gov.  And see your doctor.  There are simple treatments  to take and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent them from recurring.
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panic attacks can be controlled with medications (such as antidepressants) and professional counseling (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy). Successful treatment reduces the number and frequency of panic attacks, decreases the anxiety that accompanies the fear of future attacks, and improves the quality of your life.The most common treatment for depression includes the combination of antidepressant medicine and psychotherapy (called "therapy" for short, or "counseling").
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I've had panic attacks in the past...thankfully not recently. I guess you should just focus on becoming less stressed in general, through whatever method works for you. I've tried hypnosis, anxiety medication, meditation, etc. I wouldn't recommend medication because it's usually addictive and withdrawal symptoms are really bad. Meditating and hypnosis were the most useful tools for me. And don't be afraid to seek the support of others. More people than you think suffer from panic attacks.
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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.
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Panic Attack \nA Panic Attack is defined as the abrupt onset of an episode of intense fear or discomfort, which peaks in approximately 10 minutes, and includes at least four of the following symptoms:\n\na feeling of imminent danger or doom; \nthe need to escape; \npalpitations; \nsweating; \ntrembling; \nshortness of breath or a smothering feeling; \na feeling of choking; \nchest pain or discomfort; \n nausea or abdominal discomfort; \ndizziness or lightheadedness; \na sense of things being unreal, depersonalization; \na fear of losing control or "going crazy"; \na fear of dying; \ntingling sensations; \nchills or hot flushes. \n \n\n\nThere are three types of Panic Attacks:\n1. Unexpected - the attack "comes out of the blue" without warning and for no discernable reason.\n2. Situational - situations in which an individual always has an attack, for example, upon entering a tunnel.\n3. Situationally Predisoposed - situations in which an individual is likely to have a Panic Attack, but does not always have one. An example of this would be an individual who sometimes has attacks while driving.\n\n\nPanic Disorder\nPanic Disorder is diagnosed when an individual suffers at least one unexpected Panic Attacks, followed by at least 1 month of concern over having another attack. Sufferers are also prone to situationally predisposed attacks. The frequency and severity of the attacks varies from person to person, an individual might suffer from repeated attacks for weeks, while another will have short bursts of very severe attacks. The sufferer often worries about the physical and emotional consequences of the Panic Attacks. Many become convinced that the attacks indicate an undiagnosed illness and will submit to frequent medical tests. Even after tests come back negative, a person with Panic Disorder will remain worried that they have a physical illness. Some individuals will change their behavioral patterns, avoiding the scene of a previous attack for example, in the hopes of preventing having another attack. \n\n\n\nAgoraphobia\nAgoraphobia often, but not always, coincides with Panic Disorder. Agoraphobia is characterized by a fear of having a panic attack in a place from which escape is difficult. Many sufferers refuse to leave their homes, often for years at a time. Others develop a fixed route, or territory, from which they cannot deviate, for example the route between home and work. It becomes impossible for these people to travel beyond what they consider to be their safety zones without suffering severe anxiety.\n\nThe age of onset of Panic Disorder varies from late adolescence to mid-thirties. Relatively few suffer from the disorder in childhood.
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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.
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sounds like an anxiety/panic attack
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to be diagnosed with panic disorder.  you should experience recurrent unexpected panic attacks which includes palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breaking, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy, feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself, fear of losing control, fear of dying, numbness or tingling sensation and chills or hot flushes.  You should satisfy 4 or more of these symptoms within 10 minutes.  then if positive, at least 1 of the attacks has been followed by 1 month or more of the ff: persistent concern about additional attacks and worry about its consequences.  Panic attacks should not be due to the effects of substances like medications or illegal drugs or not due to other mental disorder.  If you satisfy all these criteria, then you have to go to a psychiatrist so he can prescribe you a medication or provide you with therapy
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I myself have panic disorder and have passed out from a panic attack- HOWEVER if you learn how to breath appropriately with your diapragam my therapist told me it is impossible to pass out- look into deep breathing/relaxation exersizes for more on that...\n\nPanic attacks can last anywhere from literally for a few seconds to a few minutes and maybe longer- if its too much longer though, its more likely just a state of severe anxiety instead of an "attack"\n\nWhat happens when you come out of the attack?  well, if you learn the appropriate tools and techniques to deal with a panic attack, you can slowly bring yourself out of it (again with relaxation, breathing, self-talk, etc)and begin to feel calm and eventually back to normal and your body will return to homeostasis
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Ask your doctor to put you on something else.\nOr you can get talk therapy for the panic attacks if you don't want to be on anything.
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What is an anxiety attack? An anxiety attack is a short period of strong fear that happens for no reason that you know of. An anxiety attack is also known as a panic attack. An anxiety attack can be a one-time event, or can become an ongoing problem. If you have two or more anxiety attacks in a month, you may have a condition called panic or anxiety disorder. If anxiety attacks become severe (very bad), they may keep you from living a normal life. \n\nWhat causes anxiety attacks? \n\nCaregivers do not know for sure what causes anxiety attacks. Sometimes they are caused by being in a situation that you find upsetting. You may have them due to a stressful life event, such as getting divorced. You are more likely to have anxiety attacks if you also have another mental health problem. Other mental health problems include depression (feeling very sad most or all of the time), or alcoholism (abusing alcoholic drinks). Anxiety attacks may happen for no reason. Anxiety attacks can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender.\n\n\nSome health conditions or medicines may cause anxiety attack symptoms. Using or withdrawing from alcohol or illegal drugs may also cause symptoms. Some people have anxiety attacks that are triggered (started) by the fear of having a future anxiety attack. You are more likely to have anxiety attacks if someone in your family also has them. \n\nWhat are the signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack? \n\nThe symptoms felt during an anxiety attack can feel like symptoms of a serious health problem, such as a heart problem. On the other hand, some serious health problems can cause anxiety attacks, such as heart or breathing problems. Have your symptoms checked by a caregiver to make sure they are not caused by a serious health problem.\n\n\nThe main symptom of an anxiety attack is extreme fear. Other signs and symptoms are different from person to person. The same person may even have different signs and symptoms during repeat anxiety attacks. Signs and symptoms usually do not last longer than 30 minutes. Besides fear, other signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack may include:\n\n\nChest pain.\n\n\nDizziness, or feeling light-headed.\n\n\nFear of losing control or doing something embarrassing.\n\n\nFeeling of being out of touch with people or things around you.\n\n\nHaving a feeling of doom, which is feeling like something very bad is going to happen. You may feel like you are about to die.\n\n\nHeart palpitations (pal-pi-TAY-shuns), which is becoming suddenly aware of your heartbeat. You may feel like your heart is pounding, or beating too fast.\n\n\nSweating, trembling, or having hot or cold flashes.\n\n\nStomach discomfort or upset which may include nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) or diarrhea (loose, watery BMs).\n\n\nNumbness (loss of feeling) or tingling in your hands or feet. You may have numbness or tingling of your lips or around your mouth.\n\n\nYou may feel like you cannot breathe. Some people may hyperventilate (heye-per-VEN-ti-layte) during an anxiety attack and not even notice it. Hyperventilation means that your breaths are too fast and shallow. Breathing this way can cause numbness or tingling in your hands and lips. Your fingers or toes may have cramping, or even curl up. During an anxiety attack, focus on taking very slow, deep breaths. You may need a friend or loved one to help you do this by breathing with you. Your caregiver may show you how to breathe in and out of a paper bag when you hyperventilate. Never use a plastic bag. \n\n\nWith panic or anxiety disorder, you may have anxiety attacks that happen often. These attacks often come without reason or warning. You may be troubled with a fear of having another anxiety attack. You may have a lot of anxiety attacks, followed by weeks or months without having any.\n\n\nSome people become so fearful of having anxiety attacks that they are afraid to leave their house. This is called agoraphobia (ag-or-ah-FOH-bee-ah). People with agoraphobia m
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When I first started getting panic attacks I hyperventilated a lot. My counselor said the only thing that could happen is that I would pass out and start breathing again. That was BAD information. I should have been given medication to prevent attacks.\nYour doctor sounds like a quack, go see someone else.\nIt may take time to find the right medication for you, but you have to keep trying. When you find the right one, you will feel SO much BETTER. \n\nHere is a link for you, I've copied some here for you. Good luck.\n\nWhat Are the Symptoms of Panic Disorder?\n\nSymptoms of a panic attack, which often last about 10 minutes, include:\n\nDifficulty breathing. \nPounding heart or chest pain. \nIntense feeling of terror. \nSensation of choking or smothering.\nDizziness or feeling faint. \nTrembling or shaking. \nSweating\nNausea or stomachache.\nTingling or numbness in the fingers and toes. \nChills or hot flashes.\nA fear that you are losing control or are about to die.
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Hi.  If you are having panic attacks, I know what you are going through ... you are not alone.\n\nIn no particular order, here are a slew of chat & support sites :\n\n\nhttp://panicdisorder.about.com/od/onlinesupport/Online_Support_Groups_for_Anxiety_Disorders.htm\n\nhttp://chat.healthyplace.com/\n\nhttp://www.findthelight.net/anxiety/GAD.htm\n\nhttp://www.findthelight.net/forum/login.asp\n\nhttp://www.algy.com/anxiety/ib/index.php\n\nhttp://www.panicsurvivor.com/\n\nhttp://www.anxietypanic.com/chatinfo.html\n\nhttp://www.healthyplace.com/communities/anxiety/site/support_groups.asp\n\n\nI hope you'll find the help you need in one or more of the above sites.  Hang in there; I know it's probably hard to believe just now, but you WILL get through this ... there ARE brighter days ahead.\n\nBest of Luck to you !
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You know what. I'm only sixteen and I've had panic/anxiety attacks for almost a year now. They are truly horrible.. but I learned something just recently. If you honestly learn and believe that nothing will happen to you and stop fighting them... you'll be fine. Like... when you get that feeling where everything is weird and your heart starts pounding and you feel like you can't breathe... just say to yourself that you want the attack to get as bad as it can possibly be.. and you want to go to the unknown side (the side where it gets as worse as it can if you let it go).. by honestly believing this.. you will come to a point where you realize that it's all in your head.. and it can be overcomed.. but you have to get through this step first. Email me at uhhsure8701@yahoo.com if you wanna talk about it anymore! good luck.. :)
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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!!!!!!
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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!
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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