are these normal panic attack symptoms?
when i have a panic attack this is what happens, always in this specific order:
well first, it always seems to happen when i am driving, i guess i feel like i have the least amount of control due to the people around me, especially when there is a lot of traffic i guess…
1. i get this throbbing, tight feeling above my knees
2. my legs will get a pins and needles sensation, plus foot cramps
3. after that, my hands tingle, then kind of go numb and lock into a fist, and this is all very difficult to deal with be cause i have a stick-shift car and it’s a scary sensation
4. the derealization sets in. (basically when you are detached from your own mind and it feels like you are watching a movie of what is going on around you). it is a very odd feeling, hard to explain… kind of feels like you are going nuts
5. i will feel like i am not getting enough air. i can breathe but i need to keep taking deep full inhales and exhales
6. i can’t tell if my heart is beating fast but it feels like someone is pressing on my chest and throat
7. my facial muscles seem to quiver or twich slightly, which is really freaky
8. the worst part is the slurred speech, the first time i ever experienced this i thought i was having a stroke
the best thing i can do is pull over and chug water until i calm down, which sometimes takes a while
note: i am only 22 years old, i take 10mgs of adderall twice a day for my adhd, this panic attack all seems to happen after a night of hardly any sleep, it’s really only when i’m alone, and it always is when i’m driving my car. i think it is brought about by feeling like i am losing control of the situation and feeling uncomfortable with my surroundings, but i couldn’t pin-point it exactly
does anyone ever have things like this happen? what should i do?? it’s been so intense a few times i almost drove to the ER
Most panic attack sufferers will ALWAYS associate panic attack with the activity or place that they were in at the time and try to avoid them. This is where the MAIN problems begin as each time you are forced into the situation that caused the attack, you automatically assume that it will happen again and avoid it.
You need to understand that the problem here is your irrational fear, NOT the situation, NOT your symptoms.
Panic attack CANNOT cause heart failure or a heart attack.
Panic attack CANNOT cause you to stop breathing.
Panic attack CANNOT cause you to faint.
Panic attack CANNOT cause you to "go crazy."
This is the TRUTH. It may not feel like it at that point in time, but it’s the truth. Believe in it.
If you have gone to the ER, I can guarantee that the doctor will tell you that you are fine and nothing is wrong with you.
Hence, in order to stop panic attacks, you need to work on these fears. You need to reassure yourself that you will be fine and BELIEVE that you will recover. Accept that you are a panic attack sufferer and do everything you can to overcome it, don’t run or hide from it…and certainly don’t fear it. This is the KEY to stopping it forever.
5 Comments »
Kingy said :
July 5, 2009 at 4:23 pm
i suffer from panic attacks too and most of the symtoms you are describing i have experienced. the worst is i cant move my hands because if i am driving there is nothing i can do about. most of the time though i get them at night when i am in bed and i find it best to sit still and take deep breaths.
References :
They Call Her x[Hazel]x said :
July 5, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I’m not quite sure,but you should definatly go see the doctor!xx
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Dr. B said :
July 5, 2009 at 5:13 pm
You seem like you need to see your regular physician and tell him or her about your symptoms.
Some of it may be physical and some may be emotional. Panic while driving is one of the symptoms I have had from bipolar.
Don’t drink any caffeine, stay off sugar and sweets. Gert some exercise. Walk, run, play ball, swim etc. once a day.
Spend 30 minutes a day meditating.
Lay down comfortable and do some deep breathing for thirty minutes. it may seem scary at first because you might have bad thoughts, but just keep doing it everday twice if you can and you will see results in two weeks.
You can get better from this.
Go to Adaa:anxiety screening test.
Stop eathing sugar and bread. No caffine, eat three times a day and eat frits and vegetalbes only.
References :
Sasha said :
July 5, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I’m having one right now. I get them very rarely now but I used to have them all the time when i was a teen and I used to take ativan which worked very good. If it happens rather often you shoud go to the doctor, it’s manageable. The worst feeling is the choking feeling and sort of muscle spasms in your hands. Good luck, I hope you’ll feel better.
References :
nomorepanicattack@ymail.com said :
July 5, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Most panic attack sufferers will ALWAYS associate panic attack with the activity or place that they were in at the time and try to avoid them. This is where the MAIN problems begin as each time you are forced into the situation that caused the attack, you automatically assume that it will happen again and avoid it.
You need to understand that the problem here is your irrational fear, NOT the situation, NOT your symptoms.
Panic attack CANNOT cause heart failure or a heart attack.
Panic attack CANNOT cause you to stop breathing.
Panic attack CANNOT cause you to faint.
Panic attack CANNOT cause you to "go crazy."
This is the TRUTH. It may not feel like it at that point in time, but it’s the truth. Believe in it.
If you have gone to the ER, I can guarantee that the doctor will tell you that you are fine and nothing is wrong with you.
Hence, in order to stop panic attacks, you need to work on these fears. You need to reassure yourself that you will be fine and BELIEVE that you will recover. Accept that you are a panic attack sufferer and do everything you can to overcome it, don’t run or hide from it…and certainly don’t fear it. This is the KEY to stopping it forever.
References :
Learn how you can beat panic attacks now at http://www.squidoo.com/beating-panic-attacks-steps
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