What A Panic Attack Looks Like

What Do Panic Attacks Feel Like

During a panic attack, physical symptoms can build up very quickly. These can include:

• a pounding or racing heartbeat
• feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed
• feeling very hot or very cold
• sweating, trembling or shaking
• pain in your chest or abdomen
• struggling to breathe or feeling like you’re choking
• feeling like your legs are shaky or are turning to jelly
• feeling disconnected from your mind, body or surroundings, which are types of dissociation.

During a panic attack you might feel very afraid that you’re:

• losing control
• going to die.

Treatment Of Anxiety And Panic

There is plenty that can be done for people who have problems with anxiety and panic.

Treatment can include:

• psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy
• medicine

Getting professional support is always a good idea. Its important to find the right health professional for you. And there are plenty of online self-help programs, support and ways to get therapy, too.

What Does It Feel Like When Youre Having A Panic Attack

Well, it can literally feel like youre about to die. You can have chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, tingling, and or sweating. Thats why many people who are having panic attacks end up going to the emergency room. Most panic attacks peak over a matter of minutes and theyll last for less than 30 minutes, but that time or the total duration of the attack can vary. So, panic attacks can actually last from a matter of seconds to hours.

Have You Ever Had A Panic Attack? If So, Please Comment Down Below And Please Share Your Symptoms Of A Panic Attack.

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Finally: Realize You Are Not Alone

You’re probably already thinking, “oh here we go with this again.”

Many people before you have experienced this, many are experiencing it with you today, and many will experience it tomorrow. So why does that matter?

Sometimes it helps to take solace in the fact that you have many people that are experiencing the same troubles you are. We are out here, and you can figure this out and move on just like we have.

What Causes Panic Attacks

Stress and pressure in the workplace is very common for adult panic attacks. Sometimes an individual can even expect an attack based on what is going on in their lives. Other times attacks come out of the blue with seemingly no reason. Expected panic attacks and anxiety attacks tend to be triggered by the same things. These include:

• Social stress

Statistics show that females are more likely to have panic attacks and anxiety attacks.

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When Should I Call The Doctor

Some panic attacks have signs that can be confused with a physical problem like a heart attack. If you have chest pain or trouble breathing or lose consciousness, seek emergency medical care.

You should call your healthcare provider if you have panic attacks and experience:

• Chronic anxiety that interferes with daily life.
• Difficulty concentrating.

After Youve Had A Panic Attack

Once you feel your breath returning to normal, you start to feel more in control of your body and your thoughts start to calm down, you might feel drained and tired from the panic attack. It can be a good idea to take some time out to look after yourself and rest if you are able to. If you are not sure what to do to relax, here are some things that might help:

• Breathing exercises a simple breathing exercise can have a calming effect and help you to relax
• Use a self-soothe box. A self-soothe box contains things that make you feel relaxed. You can put some of your favourite things in there to focus your mind.
• Listen to some of your favourite music or watch your favourite TV show. This can help you switch off from your anxious thoughts and help you to calm down.
• Drinking some water can help if you were breathing quickly, felt out of breath or were crying a lot during your panic attack, as your throat might feel dry or you may feel dehydrated.

Everyone has a different way of looking after themselves, so find something that works for you. For more tips and advice on how to look after yourself, visit our taking time out page.

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How To Tell If Youre Having An Anxiety Attack

If you feel like you had severe anxiety, then you had an anxiety attack. Any form of severe anxiety can count as an attack. But for those that are experiencing something more like panic attacks, the experience tends to be similar between different people.

Recall that anxiety attacks can mimic other health problems. If you havent been to a doctor, its a good idea to go at least once to rule out any more serious issues. Make sure your doctor knows about anxiety, however. Not all doctors are aware of the severity of anxiety attack symptoms. Some may not believe that anxiety can cause so many physical symptoms and sensations, but it absolutely can. Thats why its so important to find the right doctor.

The symptoms below are often experienced differently by different people. During an anxiety attack, your body experiences a wave of stress that is so profound, its difficult to know exactly how your individual body will react. Yet below are some of the most common symptoms of an anxiety attack:

You may not experience all of these symptoms at once either, and each one may cause various degrees of severity. You may also feel as though there is no way that it is an anxiety attack. Anxiety attacks and panic attacks are often so severe that the sufferers live in constant fear of the symptoms coming back.

Anxiety attacks also tend to peak around 10 minutes . Then as they dissipate, they often leave you feeling fatigued and drained, possibly fearful of another attack.

What To Do During A Panic Attack Or Anxiety Attack

Here are some strategies that can help.

While this can be very frightening, the first thing to do is to acknowledge that the symptoms will pass.

One of the most common symptoms of both panic and anxiety attacks is difficulty breathing. Slow your breathing as you inhale and exhale to help you get to a steady rate of breathing that will help your symptoms to subside. Count to four, with each inhale and exhale.

You can opt to use a number of methods for relaxation such as guided imagery. This can help you with reducing your anxiety and feelings of panic. You can learn these techniques from a qualified therapist.

This practice can help you to stay grounded in the current moment. Those with anxiety will find this practice very beneficial and will notice the effects soon after they start practicing.

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What Are The Complications Of Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are highly treatable. Unfortunately, many people put off seeking help because theyre embarrassed. Untreated panic attacks or panic disorder can interfere with your ability to enjoy life. You may develop:

• Anticipatory anxiety: The possibility of having a panic attack triggers extreme anxiety.
• Phobias: A phobia is an extreme, unreasonable fear of something specific. For instance, acrophobia is a fear of heights, while claustrophobia is a fear of enclosed spaces.
• Agoraphobia: Approximately two-thirds of people with panic disorder develop agoraphobia. This anxiety disorder makes you afraid to be in places or situations where a panic attack might happen. The fear can become so extreme that you become too afraid to leave your house.

S That Show What A Panic Attack Can Really Look Like

Panic attacks come out differently for everyone.

For some, panic might seep outward, coming out as uncontrollable crying or hyperventilating. For others, panic might cause them to go inward as they experience intense depersonalization. Everyones experience with panic attacks is valid, and those who know how scary panic attacks can be deserve our support and understanding no matter how their panic attacks appear.

To get a glimpse at the different ways panic attacks manifest, we asked our mental health community to share photos that show what a panic attack can look like. If you see yourself in any of these photos, youre not alone.

Heres what our community shared with us:

1.My dog alerting that Im about to have a PTSD-induced panic attack. He will stand like this unless I start trying to harm myself. He will then lie across my chest almost pinning my arms down. After the first wave slows down and I start calming down a little, he brings me my meds. Courtney H.

2.I love my birthday! Unfortunately, this is how I ended my 30th birthday. Under two heavy blankets and a pillow to try to calm my body during a mild panic attack. Turning 30 felt so daunting and scary. Now that Im 31, I love my 30s, and feel silly that my body felt the need for a panic attack about it. Amanda E.

6.Five minutes before I was ushered out of an exam room. I was sweating and confused, but saying nothing. Jackson J.

8.My service dog doing deep pressure therapy. Krystal D.

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What A Panic Attack Looks Like According To Stock Photos

What does it looks like when someones having a panic attack?

According to stock photos and Google searches, it looks like this:

Or even this:

But for people who experience panic attacks, the reality is much quieter than the animated response we might image when we hear the word panic.

To see how these images differed from the real deal, we sent some stereotypical panic attack pictures to Dr. Reid Wilson, who works at the Anxiety Disorders Treatment Center in North Carolina. He laughed.

The pictures arent really that bad, he told The Mighty. Because thats what it feels like on the inside.

He said experiencing a panic attack is an absolutely terrifying experience, but unless you were checking someones vital signs, you probably wouldnt know it was happening from the outside especially because people who experience panic attacks tend to escape the scene, trying to get themselves to a safer space.

A panic attack isnt just freaking out, nor does it look like youve just entered a haunted house. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, many of the symptoms of panic disorder mimic those of heart disease, thyroid problems, breathing disorders and other illnesses. Because of this, many people who experience panic attacks end up in the emergency room. According to Dr. Wilson, its not uncommon for people with panic disorder to have a misdiagnosed heart condition, and vise-versa.

What Does Panic Disorder Look Like In Teens

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes a panic disorder as having repeated episodes of sudden, unexpected, intense fear that come with symptoms like heart pounding, having trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy, shaky, or sweaty. These periods of sudden, unexpected fear are called panic attacks and can be scary to experience without proper tools to combat them.

A panic attack is an overreaction to the bodys natural response to what we perceive as danger. The amygdala stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and sends adrenaline throughout the body, pushing blood and oxygen into the arms, legs, and brain.

Panic attacks increase these responses substantially, causing a racing heart, heavy breathing, and hyperventilation . People whove experienced one describe their chest feeling tight and their breathing patterns becoming irregular, although theyre still able to maintain enough oxygen flow throughout the body. Our current research is unable to pinpoint why this happens to us, however, cues of past traumatic events can contribute to what triggers one.

Some of the signs and symptoms of panic disorders in early childhood include:

• Stomachaches
• Dizziness
• Chest pain

Panic disorders can be tricky in adolescents. A child would need to meet the following criteria to be diagnosed:

Prevention

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What Is It Like To Have Panic Disorder

One day, without any warning or reason, a feeling of terrible anxiety came crashing down on me. I felt like I couldnt get enough air, no matter how hard I breathed. My heart was pounding out of my chest, and I thought I might die. I was sweating and felt dizzy. I felt like I had no control over these feelings and like I was drowning and couldnt think straight.

After what seemed like an eternity, my breathing slowed and I eventually let go of the fear and my racing thoughts, but I was totally drained and exhausted. These attacks started to occur every couple of weeks, and I thought I was losing my mind. My friend saw how I was struggling and told me to call my doctor for help.

How To Cope With Panic Attacks

When you have had a panic attack, you might worry about if – or when – you are next going to have one. This can make everyday tasks like going to school, leaving the house or meeting up with friends much more difficult. But remember, you are not alone and there is support available to help you get through this. If you are worried about when you are next going to have a panic attack, here are some things that can help you cope.

Speak to someone you trust. If you are feeling anxious or worried that you might have a panic attack, talk to friends or family. They can help you take your mind off what is making you feel panicked and support you to find the help you need. If you are struggling to say how you are feeling, you can always write your thoughts down or put them in notes on your phone if you are planning to speak to a teacher or your GP.

If you are worried about having a panic attack at school, college, or university, speak to a teacher or a member of staff. They can work with you to help you with things like finding a safe space to take some time out if you are feeling anxious or panicked.

If you feel like youre struggling to cope with everyday tasks, speak to your GP. They can listen to how you are feeling and suggest different types of treatments like therapy or counselling to help you tackle your panic attacks.

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Theres Definitely Life After Panic Attacks

Sideman says that his recovery has also made him a better friend. While he was struggling with anxiety, he would call friends for help. As he recovered, he realized that he could cope on his own and would then call them to share his success.

I changed the way I talked about my condition, he says. Now, I focus on my recovery, not my suffering.

Myth: Panic Attacks Are An Overreaction And Intentionally Dramatic

Reality: Contrary to stigmatizing beliefs, panic attacks arent something people can control. We dont know exactly what causes panic attacks, but we do know that they can often be triggered by stressful events, mental illness, or unspecified stimuli or changes in the environment.

Panic attacks are uncomfortable, involuntary, and often occur without warning.

Rather than looking for attention, most people who experience panic attacks have a great deal of internalized stigma and shame, and hate having panic attacks in public or around others.

In the past, when I felt close to a panic attack, Id quickly leave a situation or go home as soon as possible in order to avoid feeling embarrassed in public.

Often people would say things to me like Theres nothing to even be upset about! or Cant you just calm down? These things usually upset me more and made it even harder to calm myself.

The best thing you can do for someone having a panic attack is just ask them directly what they need and how you can best support them.

If you know a friend or loved one who often experiences panic attacks, ask them in a calm moment what theyd like from you or those around them if one was to occur.

Often, people have panic attack or crisis plans they can share that outline what helps them to calm down and return to baseline.

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How Are Panic Attacks Managed Or Treated

Psychotherapy, medications or a combination are very effective at stopping panic attacks. How long youll need treatment depends on the severity of your problem and how well you respond to treatment. Options include:

• Psychotherapy:Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy, or talk therapy. You discuss your thoughts and emotions with a mental health professional, such as a licensed counselor or psychologist. This specialist helps identify panic attack triggers so you can change your thinking, behaviors and reactions. As you start to respond differently to triggers, the attacks decrease and ultimately stop.
• Antidepressants: Certain antidepressant medications can make panic attacks less frequent or less severe. Providers may prescribe serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors , serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants . SSRIs include fluoxetine and paroxetine . SNRIs include duloxetine and venlafaxine . TCAs include amitriptyline and doxepin .
• Anti-anxiety medications: Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication to treat and prevent panic attacks. They help with anxiety but have risks of addiction or dependence. These medications include alprazolam and lorazepam .

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How To Explain Anxiety

Before we can discuss what panic attacks look like, we must first understand what anxiety is. Merriam-Webster defines anxiety as 1. Apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated ill or 2. Mentally distressing concern or interest. Anxiety attacks can stem from stressful life or situations a mental illness.

Stress has affected many leading up to a test, relationship stress, or on the job stress. When lifeâs stressors are too much or the stressors come all at once, it can make an already stressed person more likely to have a panic attack. Stressful situations donât necessarily cause anxiety attacks but they can be more than enough ammunition to help spur one.

Mental illness can be the perfect breeding ground for anxiety. While there are mental illnesses that primarily present through anxiety issues, other mental illnesses can make anxiety attacks more likely to happen. Mental illness does not guarantee that a person will suffer from anxiety attacks. It does make a person more likely to suffer from them.

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