Panic Attacks Disorder

5 Responses to “How do you know if a panic attack is coming on?”

1. akiastatz Says:
   October 29th, 2008 at 2:33 am

   Many patients try to avoid situations or places where they experienced a prior panic attack. They think that this is an appropriate way to prevent another panic attack.
   But this is not an appropriate way to avoid further anxiety symptoms. Actually this avoidance behaviour will cause additional problems in the very near future. The patient will be frightened by the fear to get another attack (anticipatory anxiety). So he or she will monitor his surrounding in a very selective and inappropriate way to exclude all possible dangers of triggers of anxiety. This causes a lot of new fear and stress, so the overall level of stress will increase and the chance to get another panic attack will actually be much higher!

   There are different ways to achieve a lower stress level. If you are familiar with relaxation techniques (including yoga, muscle relaxation or any other kind of relaxation) try to include this relaxation in your daily schedule. Excercise (swimming, cycling, walking) can be very useful! Try to avoid alcohol, illegal drugs, too much nicotine and coffeine.

2. Survivor Says:
   November 1st, 2008 at 9:43 am

   I don’t know how you know when a panic attack is coming or not. I do know the symptoms, though. Your mind starts racing, you think you’re suddenly going crazy, you start sweating profusely, your mouth is so dry that if there is any saliva it is foamy, and your heart beats so fast it feels as though it will beat out of your chest.

3. Lynell S Says:
   November 3rd, 2008 at 10:24 pm

   Panic attacks often come without warning, and have unexpected and repeated periods of discomfort for the person experiencing the attack. They can last minutes to hours. Symptoms include: feeling fearful, a racing heartbeat, dizziness or lightheadedness, feeling smothered or out of breath, and shaking. Panic disorder is common and treatable. See a psychiatrist for help in feeling your best. This disorder can affect relationships, work, and school.

4. honey27 Says:
   November 5th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

   Well in my case the symptoms were extreme fear or anxiety, racing heart beat, unable to breathe or difficulty breathing and uncontrollable crying. What helps me to calm down is drinking some water and taking a walk or stepping outside most importantly talking to someone husband or a friend someone you trust. Usually this happens when high level stress is built up inside for a while. Its important to do things every day to relieve that stress like excercise, reading a good book whatever you like to do to disconnect from the stress.

5. neatlittlemama Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 12:41 pm

   This may vary depending on different people, but I normally get the feeling a panic attack is coming on when it feels like my heart just skipped a beat or I suddenly got hot.(not hot-flashes)I may get a tingling on the back of my neck and feel restless.I **** panic attacks.They intrude totally in your life.The symptoms of a panic attack to me is a feeling like you may be dying, but your not.It’s like you don’t know what is going on with your body and you feel like you are dying.Sometimes I would get so nervous I would have to puke.I hope that you get through them.You feel much better when you talk to someone.Good Luck!