What does a panic attack feel like?

Speaking with a qualified medical professional is the first step to feeling better if you or someone you care about has panic attacks.

Panic attacks cause the fastest, most complex reaction known within the human body. For some, their first panic attack might have felt like they were dying. Pounding heartbeat, tightening in the chest and shallow breathing are all indicators that you could be experiencing a panic episode. Sweating, hot/cold flashes and feeling dizzy or faint are common physical sensations reported during a panic attack.

Panic attacks overwhelm us because we temporarily believe that we have completely lost control of ourselves, other people or the environment around us. Often this perceived loss of control triggers an episode of panic because it reflects our most deeply held fear about our own mortality. The fear of death is the ultimate loss of control.

Different people experience panic attacks in different ways. Here are three panic attack stories from people dealing with panic attacks caused by everyday stress:

Steve has a high pressure job. He is good at performing under the stress, but the effects of the job follow him home periodically. His night sweats make him toss and turn during the night, so he doesn’t feel rested when he wakes up. This doesn’t surprise him, because he is often waking up to nightmares in which he’s failed miserably at work. Sometimes the dreams seem so real that he feels anxious going to the office, fearing his worst nightmares will come true. He cannot show his feelings at work. He cannot show his feelings at home either, so instead they manifest as irritability, nervous tension and headaches.

Mary loves people, but she experiences occasional anxiety in social settings. Just thinking about what she’ll wear and how she’ll be judged can send her into a tailspin when it comes to certain gatherings. Her hands, arms and lips become flushed and she trembles as the  irrational “what ifs” overrun her thoughts. Soon the fear has nothing to do with the social event, though it overtakes her body all the same. Her breath shortens, and her chest feels like it is being smothered. Mary thought she was having a heart attack the first time she had these feelings and went to the emergency room to make sure she was okay.

Claire has recently experienced a handful of situations in which she felt out of control. The first instance occurred while she was grocery shopping. She suddenly became aware that her heart was beating rapidly. Her breathing became shallow and labored. She immediately abandoned her shopping cart and was overwhelmed with the thought, “I have to get out of here.” The next day, Claire panicked while driving. She felt dizzy, lightheaded and her palms became sweaty. She was overcome with the desire to get off the busy road, yet she believed that she had lost all ability to safely pull over. She was suddenly convinced that she was about to die. Claire is now worried something bad will happen while driving.

Occasional anxiety and mild panic attacks are normal, natural responses to everyday stress. You can begin a practice of mindfulness and good stress management habits to promote Emotional Wellness today. Start by creating a Wellness Plan that focuses on the 7 Aspects of Wellness. You can also add a dietary supplement like Clarocet® NRI to promote fast-acting relaxation when you need it most. Balanced lifestyle choices reduce stress by providing the body with the proper nutrients, physical activity, mental stimulation and rest needed to promote well being.

Talk to your doctor if your panic attacks occur frequently, if they worsen over time, or if they are severe enough to impair your day-to-day life in any way. Panic attack symptoms that last longer than two to six weeks, or those that go away for a time and then come back could mean that you have a diagnosable medical condition for which treatment with US FDA-approved medications is recommended. Talk therapy, exposure therapy and cognitive behavior therapy are non-drug options that are effective treatments for a diagnosed emotional health condition.

Related Emotional Wellness Resources:

When should I consult with a healthcare professional?
Occasional Anxiety and Panic
Maintaining a Healthy Balance of Neurotransmitters