Panic attacks

[Lilly-may33]

This might sound like a silly question but what would you class as a panic attack? Sometimes i Suddenly feel like something bad is gonna happen to me, I feel sick start worrying then a couple of minutes later I’m ok. Would that still be classed as a panic attack? Last year I had a few health worries mostly heart related which resulted in me going back and forth to A&E, loads of tests done. Everything came back fine thankfully. Had health anxiety pretty much since then. Been doing a lot better past couple of months but still feel it creeping up. First time I went to A&E it was because I felt my heart racing like it was gonna pop out my chest, felt shaky and out of breath. Thought I was having a heart attack. Doctors said it sounded like a panic attack. Thankfully I haven’t felt it like that since but still have them weird sensations which last a couple of minutes.

 

[sTeaLth]

The last thing you described is what I consider a panic attack. Not just a bad feeling but out and out dread. I have had a handful in my time, the first time I had one was when my health anxiety started. August of 2018, right before my second child was born. I had just moved furniture all over my house for a restoration company to come tear our floor out because the fridge leaked water and damaged it. Stress was high, physical labor had just happened, I had my toddler with me getting in the way and whining, my wife was not at home at the time, and the second child was coming the very next month. I was twitching all over the place and it was very odd. I googled it, and BAM. In that moment, I had ALS. I absolutely FREAKED. I couldn't breath, I couldn't think, I couldn't function at all. I was trying to console my toddler while I felt like my heart was going to beat right out of my chest. It eventually passed, but the next year was fraught with concern and certainty that I indeed had a horrible illness. Sadly, I have not been able to totally shake anxiety since then, but it comes on less often. I have learned to avoid the panic attacks, though they have threatened at times.
So to answer your question directly, I consider a panic attack when you basically lose all sense of reality and mentally drop into total despair. That usually doesn't last too long.

 

[E.B]

Interesting to wonder if each panic attack feeling is different for everyone. Not necessarily the symptoms they cause but the overall feeling as a whole.

Mine are for the most part immediately fight or flight(usually upon waking). I have a feeling like my legs will not work and i have to keep walking to ensure they do. It would be impossible for me to lay down and close my eyes because of the fight or flight energy/feeling as if im not going to be able to walk. I've had other types but above is the usual when I hAve had a panic attk

 

[Lilly-may33]

Just an horrible feeling isn’t it. Only had health anxiety since last year and it’s so tiresome sometimes

 

[mollyfin]

I don't really understand the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks, I just know I hate all of it!

 

[Lilly-may33]

I don't really understand the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks, I just know I hate all of it!

Same!!!! Feel like I’m doing ok then bam! I feel something that sets me off

 

[Lanchparty7]

I think for me, especailly lately, it is more anxiety attacks over panic. But there is definitely some panic mixed in. I get set off by the smallest, most mundane things you can imagine.

 

[Lilly-may33]

Mine get set off if I feel something. Even if it’s something small