Am I the only one that feels psychedelic on panic attacks? Like I'm in a totally frightening abnormal state of mind and my entire body feels really strange. it's what I would imagine a really scary nightmarish bad trip on some kind of drug would feel like.
+QuantomMusic NO! I don't call it a panic attack unless I hallucinate. I just call the "only feeling" ones anxiety attacks, but I don't know if I'm naming them right. I've seen 1.5 foot high flames surrounding me. I was in Japan and wasn't trolling their 911 (119 there), but I called once because I thought I was on fire and twice because I thought I was dying, but couldn't explain myself. My mouth generally works, but I can't understand or speak language during an attack. It's like a dream. I can't read very well. Letters jump around, but this was on massive sleep deprivation (involuntarily). It makes me feel better to hear someone else say something at least close to what I feel often. I'll make it. I take Xanax as recommended but it has wrecked my memory. Stay off the Benzos if you can. I wish you the best. I'm going to a guy who can do CBT soon. I just need the courage to leave the house. Anyways, thanks for making me feel slightly normal :P
Mark 5:9 I'm glad someone can relate...I've had my fair share of benzo issues. I took klonopin daily for 7 months and it ruined my life. Things have been much better for me since getting off. Good luck with everything :)
Yes!! I don't hear anything or hallucinate but I do feel, like you said, like my mind and body feel strange. Kind of dissociative symptoms where I feel like I'm in a bubble. It's very horrible and scary. Even though I know I'm not dying, my mind just keeps going there and I can't get rid of it. It's so frustrating because I find myself spending hours of everyday trying to prevent it from happening and if it does its debilitating.
Tori M Yes, you've described exactly how I've been feeling for the past few years. Every day is a constant fight to keep the feeling at bay. It's been going on for so long now that I'm just exhausted. but it never gives up.
I had a panic attack in an exam. it took sooo much of my strength to stop myself from just crying. then this girl asked me if I was okay and it got worse. does anybody else get that? if so can someone please explain
Those of us with anxiety, panic attacks, have a hard time calming down so if we're having an attack, we can't calm down so easily, so if someone ask "are you ok?" we want to be ok, but our mind puts fears into us, so by them saying that we think there's really something wrong with us.
Yes, I struggle with generalized anxiety disorder and have so for years. I am very well attuned to how my body physically responds to just my regular everyday anxiety, versus when I am on the verge of a panic attack/actually having a panic attack. More recently, I was sitting in class, and for whatever reason, I started showing signs of an oncoming panic attack. That whole day had been off for me from the start, and I had also had a larger amount of bolder/stronger coffee than normal (I am also a coffee nut, but have learned how to cut back on my caffine consumption to better curb my daily anxiety). But this day I kind of dropped the ball on my coffee consumption, and was also very stressed out about lecture in class/ overly worried about the upcoming school week for various reasons. I was just sitting in class, my teacher was doing her regular lecture, and suddenly my heart started racing, my chest got tight, palms were sweaty, and I could no longer focus on the lecture at all. I was trying very hard not to start crying in the middle of class, because I was simply feeling so overwhelmed- that I was even having a panic attack/ that it was happening in public/ what in the world are my other classmates thinking/ can anyone tell that I am literally going through the beginning motions of a panic attack? All of it. So, what I did to help cope, was to leave the room. In an hour and a half of class time, I went to the bathroom about 3 times first, trying to calm myself down in the restroom alone. Those instances gave me brief respites. But what really calmed me down fully, and let me return to class intact, was being able to step outside, and then taking the proper amount of time I needed to calm myself back down. I got outside, in the sunshine, where it was breezy and I didn't feel so trapped. I started my breathing exercises and was able to mostly calm my wildly beating heart, and I went back to class when my palms weren't so sweaty and the band around my chest had loosened up some. This is just one example of having a panic attack, and this one was fairly mild compared to others I've had, but even still if you think you are having a panic attack, you have every right to take the time to get out and calm yourself down. If someone had straight up asked me if I was alright on that day during my panic attack, I probabaly would have started crying, simply because I felt so overwhelmed, mostly because I was having a panic attack in public, and that doesn't often happen for me. It can be embarresing and difficult to understand it yourself, and especially difficult to explain it all to someone else. So, if your panic attack worsens when someone was just asking if you were okay, it probably felt like your panic was being drawn attention to, and you just wanted that attention off of you. Because, it's very difficult to explain anyway, especially as your going through the actual panic attack. Your thoughts race around so quickly, it can be hard to get a grasp on them. This is simply my perspective/advice as a young woman who has dealt with GAD and panic attacks for a long time now. I know I wrote you a book to answer your question, but you can message me anytime if you have any more questions too. I hope this could help at all, and I hope you have a great day!
I wished people would just hug me and tell me it's going to okay,not it's okay or are you okay. I'm crying like crap and I can't freaking breathe stop asking me to breathe it's not that simple.just be there and stay quite don't talk don't move,that's the most you can do
You are really providing a wonderful service for people. I'm so happy to see your generation (I'm 72) taking an entirely different approach to providing a compassionate and therapeutic place for people to relax and heal. Gosh I shudder at the infancy of psychotherapy when up until not that long ago, when an autistic child was diagnosed it was typically described as the fault of a "refrigerator mother." Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
I had a really awful panic attack once when I was trapped on an overcrowded train that was stuck far from any station. I thought I was about to collapse into a wall of unsuspecting strangers but suddenly this woman noticed, asked if I was okay and got someone to stand up so I could have their seat. It was such a horrible experience but I don't think I'll ever forget her kindness.
I remember my first and worst panic attack ever 😩😭😭 my mom called an ambulance and I'm pretty sure I traumatized my siblings when I started gasping for air and crying that I couldn't breathe . My little sis , who never really showed emotion started crying so I knew everyone was scared, but not more terrified than I was . That was the first time I'd experienced chest discomfort/ heart problems after having my wisdom teeth out . Years later I found that I have a leaky heart valve , and when I was episodes of feeling faint and like I can't catch my breath then I panic ....I saw my cousin have one at her brothers funeral when a family argument broke out between her mom , my mom and everyone who was sick of her mom . She was just standing in open spot screaming her lungs out , terrified . No could snap her out of it
I have panic attacks. For me, it feels as though all the walls are closing in on me. I begin to feel light headed and unable to focus. My palms get sweaty and my hands and legs start to shake. I feel the constant need to rub my hands on my legs or together. I feel as if I'm suffocating and I start to hyperventilate.
Samm Winchester I can't stop shaking and screaming when the panic hits me its like a huge giant invisible seawave that you can't stop and I feel suffocation I just want to die when it happens
Chest pain, you wanna vomit, everything around you scares you and you want it to stop but it's only getting worse. Your comment waa 4 yrs ago so hopefully you're okay now
For panic attacks I start to choke up, ball my eyes out (cry), my head fills with horrible memories and thoughts of how could everyone hate me cus of how worthless I am. I feel like a disaster I always try to hide my face but just have to run away. It happens almost every single day at school and making it a living nightmare
JuliasScissor XleoPetra its terrifying to have one let a lot 7 a day like I do I think if you are having a panic attack 1st thing to do is sit down with you back against the wall and put on meditation music
Hopeful and helpful story for you all. Five years ago I had severe panic attacks due to repressed anger at 2 sociopathic bosses. The fear was so debilitating that I felt like I was losing my mind. The worst thing was that they were (apparently) random. I would be watching a movie or reading a great book, something truly pleasant, and, bam, it hits you like a bus. The dread was so brutal. Since they happened randomly during activities I loved, I gradually began (unconsciously) avoiding those activities. I didn't realize it until I was deeply mired, but I had become agoraphobic. My only safe place was my bathtub. My comfort zone, my world, was tiny. Still, I was forced to go to my job to make ends meet, and the random attacks got progressively worse. Then, a therapist recommended the Anxiety And Phobia Workbook, which changed my life. First, it illuminated something for me... that my intense fear was actually repressed anger at my bosses, anger at not being allowed self expression in my (creative) job. Once I realized that, I left my job. They said "how much do we need to pay in order to keep you?" Yeahhhh no. No amount, not even $500k per year, is worth this hell. Bye. :) My general care doc tried to put me on SSRIs which really fucked with me. I told him, trust me, I don't have a serotonin problem. I need stability. His response was to try to double my dosage. I tried that for one day and nearly lost my shit and decided im the core of my being that SSRIs were wrong for me. Xanax was a blessing though. You have to appreciate Xanax and do not use it regularly. This means confronting your fears, step by step, increasingly uncomfortably. Anyway, every day I studied that book in the bath. I learned meditation. Every day I felt a tiny bit better. Until 6 months later, when I was living every day feeling completely reborn and euphoric. The last legitimate panic attack I've had was years ago. Sure, spmetimes fear still creeps up when I'm exhausted or stressed, but through meditation I have learned to ride those feelings instead of trying to make them stop. I am resilient. I am powerful on my own two feet. I have built the skill to weather any panic attack within my head. I am so proud of myself. And I'll never work for a bad boss, a toxic environment, again. Btw, I have been a Director at a company for the last two years and I feel blessed and valued at work. My boss is incredible. If anyone is struggling with panic, anxiety OCD, (all different things with different solutions!!!), please , go buy that book and study it intensely. Hang in there. Who you are now is not who you always will be. Take your process step by step. Use CBT to push yourself outside of your comfort zone but not too far! Be nurturing and loving to yourself too. Just imagine there's a little terrified child inside each one of us. Radiate warmth and love and attention to the child in you. Listen to it. Ask it questions. Don't be freaked out if you get an answer!! I once reached such depths of terror that I asked myself "what are your afraid of?" and instantly there was an answer waiting for me inside my own head. It was scary (I thought, am I going schizo or what?) but I realized that having these intimate internal adult-child dialogues was calming and liberating. My inner, emotionally wise (yet curiously naive) brain sought expression. And me giving it expression via internal dialogue was the salve that healed all trauma. "We" haven't "spoken" in years because there has been no need to. The little boy in me has expression. I LISTEN by playing careful attention to my feelings as I go through life. That inner child is me. This competent, confident adult IS me too.
I have agoraphobia with panic disorder, and the most debilitating part of the panic attacks now is that afterwards I have this mental fatigue that is so intense I can't concentrate to hold a conversation, constantly forget what I am doing, can't complete full thoughts and sentences, feel exhausted and have bad headaches. It doesn't go away without hours of silent rest afterwards, which makes any tiny task that causes anxiety & panic then take the full day.
Today I had to go to doctor after having 6 in 20 hours and no sleep. I had ECG , I had heartburn , dizziness , choking , heat and cold sensations , chest pains and pressure , fear of dying , numbness in my face , it was the most traumatic thing I have ever gone through. I lost my fourth baby last January and had an allergic reaction the same night and it started from then .
Edel Waugh I too have had numbness in my face and arm. I thought I was going to die. now when i feel any tingly sensation I try to tell myself it's anxiety.
Edel Waugh sounds like some of the worse panic attacks I’ve had in the past. Had one similar to this (got me my first diagnosis) when my nephew was born and nearly didn’t make it. I wish you luck in your healing process.
Def feel like I'm dying. CBT therapy helped day one but I had a few bad days and then never went back. It's important guys I go out there and do it! She's right! TALK ABOUT IT Don't suffer alone. I'm still fighting EVERY single day
My panic attacks changed, when they started I thought I was going crazy, now I think I’m having a stroke, it’s awful but it does help to talk about it and learn about it and knowing that nothing is actually happening to you (physically) helps too
When I'm having a panic attack I feel disassociated from the present moment. It feels like I'm not really there. And then I start breathing really fast and trembling. It's a scary experience
My panic attacks vary a bit but I mostly get hot& cold sweats, feel like I'm going to vomit, feel dizzy bad like I'm going to faint, really panicky like I need to escape wherever I am. Nausea and headache, if it's really bad I get muscle twitches and spasms. drowsiness. Indigestion, and stomach pains, pins & needles. I need fresh air and space, I have an added problem where any place ive have had a panic attack I refuse to go back. Even thinking about some of the places where I had one can bring o another panic attack. For example the theatre, my friend from works house, Pizza Hut!! -these places I have a fear of cos it brings on my anxiety.
Panic attacks are the worst! At one point I was admitted because I was having at least three attacks a day. I still suffer from them but now it only happens once a week, which is really good. They just appear out of the blue with no warning. I loose my breath and immediately starts hyperventilating to the point where I just collapses and my body starts cramping. It's horrible! When it's over it takes me so long to get my speech and hand functions back, and I get a lot of muscle spasms and ticks until my body reaches a normal oxygen level again .. I have been checked for epilepsy and other things, but it really just is panic attacks. Fuck panic's a bummer symptom
When I have panic attack’s I feel like I need to leave, even if I’m in a open space. And in my worse ones, I start crying, and hyperventilating. I have a complete meltdown and start pacing.
I have c-PTSD and I often get panic attack when I get flashbacks and then panic attacks just took over my life and I would sh to "snap out of it". I haven't self harmed in over 1,5 years and I haven't had a panic attack for 6 months. I just started to not care.
In your description you wrote "You're worth the fight" It made me cry. Cos I'm convinced I'm totally not worth it. I feel so useless. Like people around me would be better off without me. I'm not worth being helped. My life is just doomed. And over. I'm just fighting to stay alive but I don't even know why I do that. It hurts so bad sometimes. Anyways. Thank you Kati for all your videos. I learned a lot thanks to you. Good luck to everyone who suffers out there. I would say something hopeful if I could but I'm not able to pretend I believe in hope. So the only thing I can say to you all is: good luck.
Also something that could be useful would be a explanation to what happens inside of the body during a panic attack. That the body is preparing you to run, flee or fight by releasing adrenaline and is directing bloodflow to the vital organs (like when you get really scared and your face gets drained out of blood), slowing the digestion and other things that it thinks will be life preserving in a threatening situation. At least it helped me to know both what triggered it and what is happening in the body during it.
My panic attacks feel like I can't breathe, shortness of breath, nausea, I feel like my throat is being choked and it's really awful. Sometimes the worst part is that I feel light headed and dizziness throughout the whole day. Just make sure you remember to breathe.
So true! I have anxiety and have panic attacks and I have talked to my doctor and now have "as needed" meds, so I don't have to take it everyday. But having it in my purse at all times makes me much more relaxed even when I get so anxious I'll think it's there if it gets too far, I'll take one. Then I end up not needed it because I'm working on it and making baby milestones. And if it does get to far I take one in seconds and I come back down. I highly recommend trying it if you can. Also I can take it if I am entering a triggering event like crowds if I'm going to a HUGE concert I know to take one on the way. So helpful!!👍
I myself suffer from panic attacks, luckily, they are not as frequent as they were a couple months ago.... But when I reached out a therapist for the first time in my life and said "I think I'm having panic attacks, you know, it feels as if I'm choking, I'm shaking and horrified and my palms are sweaty'... She said: ' You kid have a really good imagination or you read too much Internet. You're too young to have panic attacks (I'm 18 btw), so stop faking it, you are absolutely healthy. And do not tell that nonsense ever again' Thank God there are people like you, Kati, who can help us💕
I only feel anxiety in my stomach, and I have a huge fear of throwing up so whenever I feel nauseous (which is often, I start to panic) and the panic is only in my stomach. I get numb hands and really sweaty and a tight chest, but for me those don't bother me as much as the thought that I could vomit. I panic at the thought that I can't control it. It's difficult to live with because people don't see why I would be scared of vomiting, I don't really know why I am either....
Hey. Your comment caught my attention. It’s like I was reading myself type. I have the SAME exact feeling towards throwing up. I am terrified of vomiting or feeling nauseous. If I get slightly nauseated I tense up, my heart starts beating really fast, I feel so scared. It’s an actual phobia called emetophobia.
After my mother died years ago when I was a teen, my panic attacks came as urges to jump out of moving cars, no matter whom I was with. Maybe claustrophobia or something, but for a few months I would have to sit on my hands as we were riding to wherever. The urge to reach for the door handle was that strong. It was such a relief when those urges finally went away.
I have had anxiety for the past year or so, and last month I had an Attack while visiting my Aunt in the hospital with my mom, I couldn't breath properly, my heart was pounding, I was shaking, etc.. It happened suddenly with no real triggers.. But, my mom finally believed I have anxiety, and my Grandma gave me natural meds for it and I haven't had bad anxiety since. Its such a relief
Hi Kati I was just wondering if crying is a symptom of panic attacks? In My 'panic attacks' normally I start crying and I'm not sure why. I was taking lots of big deep breaths, and my heart would sped up as if I am exercising and my palms get really sweaty. Does that sound like a panic attack to you? They don't happen to often but Have occurred quite a few times in the last year or so. I would feel silly going to see someone for it if it is not a real panic attack. I feel like I may have an anxiety disorder. Thank you for reading xx
Don't worry,I had anxiety attacks a couple of times now and I cry too,I really thought I was going to die but people around me didn't realize what exactly I was feeling they didn't really take it seriously and I hope people could understand more
I usually get a pit in my stomach and nausea, thats the first sign for me. and then my face gets really hot and tingly and then that same sensations goes to my feet and hands, and then i start crying and hyperventilating. It feels like you're going to die, and i had a breakdown afterwards because of how traumatic it is. But yeah, every panic attack varies, all of them are different. for me, some are worse than others. it's really hard to get back to reality and recover afterwards.
Crying happens to a lot of people during panic attacks. They are very overwhelming. It does sound like a panic attack, but the only person who would truly be able to help you understand that, and if you have an anxiety disorder, would be a therapist.
Yeah so I had my first ever panic attack today and I was so freaked out and scared. I couldn’t stop crying and shaking for like 20-30 minutes. It was pretty sudden. It started as my brain flipping through things that could go wrong and situations that did and getting increasingly more freaked out and then all of a sudden it changed. It was no longer about those things, it wasn’t about anything at all. I was just so intensely afraid of nothing at all. I started to cry, then hyperventilating, then I felt like I was dying, then I stopped breathing so hard, but I kept crying, breathing a little weird and shaking. Then it ended.
My and sister gets panic attacks and hyperventilates so she breathes into a paper bag for a few moments. The CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) helps because she's getting too much O2 (Oxygen) and she calms right down. This may or may not help others but it's worth a try it helps my sister almost immediately.
When I get panic attacks I get shortness of breath, hot flashes, increased heart beats, faintness, dizziness, weakness in my limbs, nauseous, and that out of body feeling. They’re honestly one of the worst things ever. I also feel like I’m dying/ like I want to die because things just feel so overwhelming. Luckily I’ve gotten a lot of help and I’m able to control them a lot better now!
Thank you,thank you, thank you , for this video!!! I have never understood what a panic attack was. So I just thought of my feeling being nervousness or as my psychologist labels it as 'my anxiety'. I can clearly remember points in my life feeling like this so much so it even brings on a slight panic attack thinking about it! Gosh and I remember feeling like I was going to die after relapsing from self-harm thinking I needed to go to hospital, feeling hot and cold, numb shaking/dizzy so i could hardly stand up feeling like I couldn't breath. I can remember plenty of times at school where I have felt many of the symptoms which Kati mentioned, and just brushed it of as nervousness and shyness. Where as now that I'm getting some help I can see that I WAS having panic attacks especially in drama and English (I just wasn't aware of it at the time until now) and that it is linked into my social anxiety. Thank you Kati ☺️
I'm a 55 year old male, the last forty years have been one, long, low grade panic attack for me. I've learned to accommodate it. I watch the internet for edifying programs - like a documentary on the French Impressionist paint Monet, or some other painter. I know what it is like to be paralyzed by anxiety. - - For those who are disheartened - I'm relatively happy now. Keep plugg'in.
I just had this once, awful, I thought I was dying or having a heart attach, dizziness, lack of breath... The worst is that I was in a train commuting from work, so I was really scared.
i had my first panic attack last night, i felt light headed and dizzy all day,and it came to the night time and i had a heart palpitation and i have them every odd day but it made me panic and it started to scare me,i started to shake and i couldn’t catch my breath like where people breath really fast mine feels like it’s going so slow,i felt like i was going faint so my mum took me the doctors and they told me i was fine and checked my heart rate and blood,they told me it was a really bad panic attack. it was so scary i honestly did think i was going to die or have a heart attack. it’s the next day now and i still feel light headed, but i think i’m just over thinking my breathing because of what happened the night before. i’m scared of it happening again.
I have anxiety with some panic attacks but only get them when arguing with my lover or when someone in a position of power puts me down and abuses me. I have been vomiting from them which really sucks because the times it happens, i throw up all I eat and I can't eat again cuz anxiety is too bad. Feels like I'm being shut in a small room with no air and no love
I have an anxiety disorder and panic disorder so recently like within the last year i’ve started getting more and more panic attacks like i used to when i was younger but now i know what i was having before were panic attacks. i have been to the ER for panic attacks twice before and even with the panic attacks i had when i was younger they were never at the point where i would say i needed to go to the hospital or ask to go to the hospital. i felt like i was hyperventilating and going to faint and die and i get so shaky my whole body tenses up and i even feel sick which is my number one phobia which makes it worse. if i don’t have my medication on me it can last on and off for an hour maybe 2 at most but i always need to have my panic meds on me so i can take it right away as soon as i feel a panic attack coming on. all that you were saying is totally true so thank you for teaching people what panic attacks are and how to recognize them
The first thing I feel in a panic attack is tightness in my chest and then my throat, like asthma (which I have as well). Second I feel my fingers and toes go numb and my whole body gets cold and shakes. I've learned that when I am able to recognize that I'm having a panic attack, I can try to assure myself that I will be okay - despite the fears that usually trigger them, I won't die in the moment of the attack. Counting in: 1, 2, 3 and counting out: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 usually helps with breathing for me as well. My therapist has at least been able to help me out with dealing in the middle of a panic attack, but we've still got to work on what causes them.
Trouble with Anxiety disorders is that, if you are born with it, it seems normal, that's just how life is. A week ago I had a lengthy conversation with a local person. a hour later I had pounding heart and my blood pressure went to 165. If I start having panic attacks from social interactions it will really piss me off.
The main symptoms I have are stomach issues such as feeling sick and also feeling extremely warm, its difficult to do things when these things happen but I've found now all I have to do is just wait a little while and hopefully it passes
I have a panic disorder. Ten years ago I had panic attacks and I rejected any medical help later they progressed and became worse. I started taking a very low dose of medication and DBT and cognitive behavioral therapy. I was able to stop taking medication and for 10 years I did not have panic attacks. Just recently I started having panic attacks and my blood pressure and heart rate would go up very high that landed me in the emergency room several times before the last two times I was diagnosed with panic attacks. The panic attacks lasted for 2 hours with breaks in between and for three days continuously until I finally decided to take a low dose of something to call me. It is a very discouraging process to go through panic and anxiety I have created a plan with my doctor and I'm following that. It is completely different now the way the panic attack Sensations feel then they did 10 years ago. What is absolutely the same is that fear really drives them hand causes breathing issues acrophobia. I have hope because I've conquered this before and I know I will again. Thank you for posting these videos.
Great video… I started having panic attacks around two/ three years ago and had no idea what it was. They became so severe my parents would bring me in and out of the ER and doctor offices and I couldn't sleep or do anything really. A video like this would have been so helpful to me and my parents in the beginning! Hopefully you'll help others!
I don't believe I've had a panic attack before ever in my life, I was only curious as one thing you mentioned rang true to me, was lately I have being feeling nauseous on occasion. This year my family and myself have had so much going on, one crisis after another. One being how I need eye surgery, regardless I have felt nauseous lately but have not actually been physically sick, and I find my brain not shutting off when I go to bed. Last night it felt like a very long time, before I fell to sleep 💗💕
I’ve just had this panic attack for almost a month. It makes weaker and weaker and lost control. I couldn’t breath well which makes me very shocked. Could you please give some tips to treat at home.
My first attack was a few months ago. My husband and I were in marriage counseling. My husband is emotionally and verbally abusive. She began to side with him (in public he is Mr. Nice) and tell me to stop dwelling on the past. I could not believe she was giving him permission to continue his behavior. My throat swelled up and I could not talk! I cancelled our next appointment but my husband thought she hit our problem directly on me and therefore he is blameless.
When I get a panick attack one of my first reactions is a strong urge to go to the bathroom. I guess it's not as common? Anyone else have similar symptoms?
choiminkilovestory yup. I’ve had a couple like that. I feel like my bladder gets really hot and I’m going to wet myself. Then when I try I can’t even focus on it.
I just rewatched this video to make sure I was right with what I name my own panic attacks, because my therapist just told me that I'm using the term wrong. But it showed me again that I'm right with calling what I experience panic attacks. Most of the time my heartbeat goes up and I can't breath properly, sweat, shake, have chest pain and feel like I can't control myself, and that in fact are some of the symptoms you named. so thank you for clarifying it, helped a lot
I had my first panic attack in the middle of a basketball practice, I told my coach and they are going to help me if it happens again. But I felt dizzy, tired, alone, I couldn’t breath, and my vision was blurry. This was my first panic attack so I had no idea what was going on, but it was so scary. Thank you for these videos, they are so helpful!
Having a panic attack nearly everyday feels like it’s never going to end. I’ve recently only started having panic attacks for almost two months now, but they’ve been so exhausting. These past two months felt like years because of them. I’ve been seeing a therapist, and got put on medication. Unfortunately, the medicine was probably doing it’s job, but I had a panic attack after taking the pill and immediately thought it was the pill and I should stop. Constantly worrying about something gets so tiring to the point that suicidal thoughts burst into my brain like a broken down dam that held up gallons of water. 🥺🥺 writing about it is therapeutic, yet, it scares me. It’s nice knowing I’m not going through it alone.
Stimulants in drink and food can cause panic attacks. Coffey regular or decaf, black tea regular or decaf, green tea regular or decaf, chocolate and other stimulant drinks. Big panic attacks are pre heart attacks and they are not just in your head. Once a panic attack starts drinking a large glass of water can slow down or stop one. Drinking strong chamomile tea can help during a attack. Getting the body cold and going for a short walk can make a big difference.
As someone who suffers with panic attacks, i found this really helpful. I hope other people found as useful as me. I didn't get help for a long time because i thought that what i was feeling wasn't severe enough to be a panic attack, and it actually made things a lot worse. If you have any of the symptoms on this video, please talk to someone :) xx
When I have them, I feel like I'm going crazy, I feel like I choke and can't breath, I shake and I tend to disassociate my self. Like some things that trigger my panic attacks are simple things like weather (I have a huge fear of tornados, but I have never been in one) and then there's other things like auditioning for something, or talking to people I don't know for the first time, and sometimes if I think about suicide, that can throw me into one also.
my mom took me to the hospital because of it about 3 times because I nearly fainted and had really bad head aches and my chest was hurting (it felt like someone stabbed me). and the doctors looked at me in a really shaming way and they told me that there was nothing physically wrong with me. and they didn't help at all.
Truly sorry to hear this it's made even worse when you feel alone with the anxiety or the psychosis and by not getting the help this only adds to it. My heart goes out to you.
The worst panic attack that I had that I can remember was last year. I don'f even know if I could classify it as a panic attack, but i felt like I was being suffocated. It literally felt like my heart was going to explode because it was beating so fast and so hard I couls hear it in my head and feel it in my feet. my blood pressure was 205 over 140, (I'm overweight, but I'm only 18, was 17 at the time.) I felt like I was going to die, and I truly believed it because of how fast my heart was beating (i swear you could see it thumping on my chest) and I couldn't stand up. I can't even tell if it was a panic attack because it seemed so different from what my panic attacks are usually like. I couldn't feel my legs or my arms, and people said my face was turning blue. It was a terrifying experience, more terrifying than the time I had an anaphylactic reaction not too long before that... In those few months I suffered high blood pressure and anxiety with almost no other symptoms, had many tests done and they turned out normal, went to a cardiologist and actually had a panic attack during one of the tests I took but everything showed up normal... I wish I could figure out what's going on and stop feeling like it's all in my head...
I like Kati’s videos. It validates how I feel and I don’t feel afraid to look this stuff up. This just confirms what I went through last night, thank you
Is there a different term for a moment of acute anxiety (extreme worry, feeling on the verge of tears, and inability to focus on anything but the object of the anxiety), but without all the physical symptoms you describe... except for maybe a elevated heart rate? When I feel super-anxious like that, I'm tempted to describe it as a panic attack, but then I hear descriptions of panic attacks and it doesn't really fit. I've never felt like I was having a heart attack. So it makes me second guess whether it's fair to use that term. What do you think? Is that a panic attack, or is there a different term I should use?
Omg! That's exactly how I would describe what happens to me!! I also refrain from calling them panic attacks because they don't seem quite as extreme, but it's also an unbearable anxiety that is worse than normal. If you ever find any other term that might fit it better PLEASE let me know, I would really appreciate it.
I think anxiety attack is the best way to describe those situations. I’ve experienced anxiety attacks like that a lot of times but I’ve only truly had a panic attack once and it was definitely not the same thing. It was much worse and I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
As far as I know, anxiety and panic attacks are terms that are often used interchangeably. I experience a lot of what you described as well and I never knew how to call it so I just say intense panic or anxiety and I try to prevent it when I feel myself dissociate. Whatever it is, whether you give it a name or not : seek help, talk to someone and try to empower yourself and master triggering situations or circumstances
I've definitely have had panic attacks. I felt like i was gonna run out of breath and so much pain in my whole body not just my chest. I didn't even realize I was crying or that I was sitting in the bathroom floor until it was over. I am definitely scared of having more and lately they have been happening more frequently. Just learning to deal with them little by little.
I've suffered from panic disorder while younger. Panic disorder is a devilish nuisance, for a panic attack doesn't need an opinion what so ever to come. I had to eat medication to numb my brain back in the days, just to get to a local store or over a bridge while not loosing consciousness
Wow this was wonderful! It hit a lot of things that I've experienced and it's nice to see that I'm human an there are a lot more ppl in the world that goes through this every day.
I've suffered from panic attacks for years now (I'm 25). The longest one has lasted 4 hours but on average they last about an hour to an hour and a half. Typically my symptoms include: -heart palpitations, -dissociation, -trembling, -lightheadedness, -shortness of breath, and -nauseousness. I've found an app: "Panic Attack Aid" that really helps. It's got different section for reassurance, breathing techniques and distractions. Hope this helps!
One day I just woke up in the middle of the night and just went crazy... I really thought I was dying that night. I remember sending a text to my family saying that I loved them and not to be sad etc... That was strange
Oh god was I praying for her to say derealization I'm so glad that it is caused by my anxiety it makes me feel a little better since I've overcome my fear of death I can for sure overcome this too..
You said panic attacks can't be diagnosed. What about panic disorder? That can be diagnosed... In my experience, I have NEVER been afraid of possibly having a panic attack, so that has never been a cause/trigger. Mine sometimes don't peak for 20-30 minutes, and it can be a couple hours before I calm down. That will exhaust me for DAYS afterward!
Thank you for all your wonderful videos. You are a very talented therapist. I feel like you understand mental health patients view as well as the therapist. I'm attempting to not dissociate and your videos are keeping me learning and present. Aspecially since I without a therapist at the moment. So thank you!
So I just watched you're video from Friday and you mentioned panic attacks. I was going to find some research on it to learn more about it, and I look down at my computer and see this video! #coincidence
I had never had a panic attack until I was 18 and freshly out of high school. I had some friends over and we decided to smoke some weed. I’m not a big pot head, never had a strong desire to smoke weed but I had done so a couple of times and turned out fine. Well, I must of taken a huge hit or something because as the night progressed my heart began to beat like crazy. I began to get lightheaded and sank into my head and began to think I was actually going to die. My face was numb and cold, my vision slow and weird. I got up and began pacing around and I did so for 2 hours until finally, at 2 in the morning, it finally passed and I was able to calm down a little. The next day I still had issues, though. My anxiety got worse and I was constantly in my head. I thought I was going crazy and I would never be normal again. It was quite terrifying and wouldn’t wish it on anybody. I basically spent that whole night thinking I was dying.
This is very helpful. I don't believe i have anything quite so serious as that.Not as intense anyway.Just yesterday,i was thinking about what i wanted to do to pass the time,and in my confusion began to get anxious.I felt muscle tension and heat and my heart beat a little faster.I had trouble calming down on my own without some medication.But i never felt pain,or that hyperventilation.
i started to take panic attacks over a year ago, and i went to my gp for help, she referred me into counselling which i just finished there in the middle of october, talking about my panic attacks and where they came from etc was really helpful and made me more aware of them and how i could help to prevent the intensity of them. i used to have them because of a build up of anxiety related to a certain subject like school or family, but then i started to have them because of the fear of having one! it was crazy! i frequently stayed at home and didnt go out with friends in the fear of having one in public and the embarrassment would of been too much, and i became socially isolated, but now i am getting better all because i talked to someone about it, i never thought it would help but it did! so please if you struggle with panic attacks please talk to someone because it REALLY helps!
The first panic attack I had was when I had to do a swimming race for the first time ever. I’m a good swimmer but I never really raced because it was stressful but I wanted to try it. I put my face in the water and swam I went to take a breath and couldn’t I swam without a breath for a while and went to breathe again but couldn’t at this point I had to stand up in the middle of the race and then began shaking and still couldn’t breathe, they got me out the pool and sat me on the side. My whole body was numb or tingling and I was shaking sweating and couldn’t breathe. It’s not the last panic attack I’ve had and I think there are still more to come.
Hey, can you do a video on anxiety attacks? I know the two are different, so can you do a video explaining the similarities and differences between anxiety and panic attacks, and and how to deal with anxiety attacks? That would make my day.
i used to have panic attacks almost nightly growing up. still have them on occasion. when they happen i feel like the world is spinning, im shaking, freezing cold and cant breathe. not a fun feeling, sometimes they last about like 20 minutes for me and it seems way longer. i have problems concentrating for a while afterwards. one thing that occasionally helps me is coloring to help me relax.
I had a panic attack a couple weekends ago, but I didn't know what it was. It started with a cramp in my foot that wouldn't go away, so I decided to walk it out. But as soon as I got up, I got dizzy and everything started going black(like when u get up to fast) so I thought I'd wait it out, but it didn't stop and I started feeling really hot. I decided to get a drink of cold water bc I thought that would help. I was so dizzy I was leaning up against the walls as I made my way the the kitchen, which isn't that far from my bedroom. I still couldn't see much so I had to feel around for a cup. I remember I couldn't even feel the ice touching my hand, nor could I hear how much noise I was making. I felt my way to the sink and turn it on. By this time my mom got up and told me to go to bed, but I could barely hear her, or see her. All I heard was a ringing in my head. I started crying telling her what was happening, At first she thought I was having night terrors bc I recently started having those too. She told me to go outside to get some fresh air, but that didn't help. Finally I could see somewhat better but everything didn't look normal it was like every where I looked were colorful squiggly lines. I remember checking to feel my heartbeat, but I couldn't feel anything which scared me even more so I asked my mom to feel my heartbeat she said it was almost beating out of my chest. I do have anxiety and for me counseling doesn't work (well at least the one I was seeing didn't help) I still don't know what caused the panic attack but it scares me everytime I think about. I wanna say it may have lasted for 3 or 4 mins. Sorry for the long paragraph just wanted to share my experience with y'all.
I know I have anxiety but it never occurred to me that what I experience every time I have to talk in front of a crowd is what most people call panic attacks. I've always just thought of it as these extreme cases/my worst episodes of anxiety. But I literally have panic attacks every single time I am required to talk in front of people. The number of people don't matter, just as long as there are many pair of eyes focused solely on me. The panic attacks are automatic. Almost like they're second nature. And I've never actually talked about it with other people because I know most would not take this kind of thing seriously and they'll probably just brush it off as 'stage fright' but this is something that I've experience since grade school. And I'm in college now.
I don't really get them anymore, but I vividly remember having them when I was about 10-11 I would stay awake as long as could just terrified that if I slept I wouldn't wake up, other times I felt like I was falling, lightheaded, or even about to faint. I don't think my mother really knew how to deal with it, so I had to deal with it on my own.
I have two a month.. maybe even more. It usually happens when I’m at home, or relaxing.. it never happens when I’m busy @ work. When I used to have them when I lived at home. I used to say “call the ambulance” And my dad would pretend and then I’d start coming down lol idk why that made me always feel better(props to my dad for pretending every time lol 😐)... and talking to someone about how I’m feeling helps come down too. Such a scary feeling though... terrifying
From this video I think I have panic attacks occasionally. Usually I'm home alone or walking my dog alone. My breathing gets quick and I feel super aware of my heart rate and breathing. I usually run to a place in my house where I feel safe, which if most often a corner of some sort where I can see everything happen around me. I find that breathing exercises are really helpful when I can feel one coming on, but once it's happening it's hard to prevent.
I have really bad testing and social anxiety. Which sucks when in school cause test are all you do. But i learned that having a few comfort objects helps me manage enough i can breath through it all. Sadly one day i was in a complete panic an forgot them at home. Ik it was gonna be a bad day when i woke up with 10mins to catch the bus [mind you if i missed the bus i wouldn't make ot to school for this big test the ACT] then mother scoffed at me for telling her i NEEDED her to bring my bear or something to school for me. That got me hyperventilating.....then we had a 30min speech from people about how important it is an could mean the difference from what collage we get into to our future careers. YAYYYYYY I WAS READY TO JUST die. Then they started calling us one by one....an my friend told me "It's no big deal." And tbat my motjer was right an i needed to get over myself. Annnn that is when i broke. I started sobbing an shaking hardly able to even take a breath. I didn't wanna go but one my friends pulled me along an i had to or wasn't allowed to graduate. Safe to say.....i didn't do so hot, but i refused to take it again an still do. Was the worse experience of my life. Now i never go anywhere without one my stuffed animals or something to comfort me.
I get a type of anxiety attack I don’t hear people talking about. I think it’s because I have Bipolar II with Rapid Cycling Severe Anxious Distress. Basically I call it “The Pit” bc it’s as close to Hell as you can experience without being in literal Hell. It’s a horrible mix of Cognitive Constriction, so I can’t think outside what I’m immediately experiencing; which is a Severe Anxiety Attack, with a Mixed Episode of Dysphoric Hypomania, Crippling Suicidal Depression, and Disassociation all at once. It lasts anywhere from 30mins to 6 hours. STAGE 1: It usually starts off with the immediate feeling of “oh shit, it’s gunna get dark.” I start having ruminating and racing thoughts about everything that’s troubling me. It can be little things or it can be my past trauma. I start to get the beginning symptom of anxiety. My heart will beat faster, my thoughts will get faster, my breathing will get faster, and the creeping in of the doom feelings start. STAGE 2: This causes me to slip into or more rapidly into a Severe Depressive Ep. I get a feeling of agonizing depression in a void or bubble, separate from everyone and everything.The utter aloneness and helplessness creeps in, and the negative self talk, hopelessness, helplessness, etc kick in and repeat bc of the racing thoughts. It’s like a cloud of all the bad things surrounds me, and my vision gets wonky. It becomes darker and I get tunnel vision. STAGE 3: Then the anxiety attack comes into full play. The hyperventilating is making me dizzy, I can’t stop crying, or shaking, and then I get the need to run away, but I can’t because I feel like I’m in my own bubble of horror. I want to stop this all so bad I begin to dissociate. I can’t think straight at all, and coping skills DO NOT work and I don’t know why. STAGE 4: All this all gets kicked into higher gear because of the Depressive Ep turning into a Severe Mixed Episode due to the start of the Hypomanic Ep or it starting faster because of the way I feel the need to run or do something, anything, to stop it all. Basically the Flight, Fight, and Shutdown System triggers my Hypomania, which I guess would be good if I was chased by some Mountain Lion. Hypomania for me is almost always dysphoric which make some feel like my body is burning because it’s so uncomfortable and foreign, my clothes feel so wrong as well. Eventually, due to the 4X increase in the intensity of all the symptoms, all I feel is my mind and body. STAGE 5: Dysphoria causes the trapped in a bubble, can’t feel outside what I’m experiencing, and fog of horrible ruminating fast thoughts to make me dissociate like I’m out of my body but also fully aware and feeling. The rational and in control part of me is what dissociates which I guess could be why I can’t use coping skills with these ones. I literally stop knowing where I am because it gets so dark, and all my senses are occupied with flash backs to traumatic things to register where I am. STAGE 6: The only thing I think of to make it stop (especially when it’s hours on end,) is self harm and suicide as my only way out. Self-harm has helped to stop it but I’m so addicted it’s to the point where I cut deep enough for 22 really complex surgical stitches. I fight these thoughts til I’m on the brink. So I sit, lay or stay in whatever position I’m in for hours to deal with the shit storm of all the bad symptoms of my mental illnesses occurring at once. The only thing... person, who has been able to stop these attacks is my Pastor. Not necessarily for religious reasons, but because he’s the only person I trust with everything, and has been there for me unlike everyone else.
I'm not sure if I had a panick attack but I have an eating disorder and as you said I felt like I couldn't breath and felt dizzy. This happened to me 3 times when I was really scared of the food and stressing about it. It's so hard to stop it and I usually have to lay down to try and get my breath under controle.
i ended up associating my daily panic attacks with work because of my work manager relationship. i got diagnosed with panic disorder and started treatment but it was too late and it lead to me losing my job and ruining my career
I think you're cool, and you're doing a great job here. Keep going :)
Because in order to allow us to have a healthy body, we need to have a health mind :)
Yep, literally thought i was going to die, really die!!
Shaun Millsom
amen to That! that how I feel
Am I the only one that feels psychedelic on panic attacks? Like I'm in a totally frightening abnormal state of mind and my entire body feels really strange. it's what I would imagine a really scary nightmarish bad trip on some kind of drug would feel like.
+QuantomMusic NO! I don't call it a panic attack unless I hallucinate. I just call the "only feeling" ones anxiety attacks, but I don't know if I'm naming them right. I've seen 1.5 foot high flames surrounding me. I was in Japan and wasn't trolling their 911 (119 there), but I called once because I thought I was on fire and twice because I thought I was dying, but couldn't explain myself. My mouth generally works, but I can't understand or speak language during an attack. It's like a dream. I can't read very well. Letters jump around, but this was on massive sleep deprivation (involuntarily).
It makes me feel better to hear someone else say something at least close to what I feel often.
I'll make it. I take Xanax as recommended but it has wrecked my memory. Stay off the Benzos if you can. I wish you the best. I'm going to a guy who can do CBT soon. I just need the courage to leave the house. Anyways, thanks for making me feel slightly normal :P
Mark 5:9 I'm glad someone can relate...I've had my fair share of benzo issues. I took klonopin daily for 7 months and it ruined my life. Things have been much better for me since getting off. Good luck with everything :)
Yes!! I don't hear anything or hallucinate but I do feel, like you said, like my mind and body feel strange. Kind of dissociative symptoms where I feel like I'm in a bubble. It's very horrible and scary. Even though I know I'm not dying, my mind just keeps going there and I can't get rid of it. It's so frustrating because I find myself spending hours of everyday trying to prevent it from happening and if it does its debilitating.
Tori M Yes, you've described exactly how I've been feeling for the past few years. Every day is a constant fight to keep the feeling at bay. It's been going on for so long now that I'm just exhausted. but it never gives up.
No, I feel like when I'm on drugs when I have a panic attack and I'm in public I hate it :/
I had a panic attack in an exam. it took sooo much of my strength to stop myself from just crying. then this girl asked me if I was okay and it got worse. does anybody else get that? if so can someone please explain
Those of us with anxiety, panic attacks, have a hard time calming down so if we're having an attack, we can't calm down so easily, so if someone ask "are you ok?" we want to be ok, but our mind puts fears into us, so by them saying that we think there's really something wrong with us.
Elyse E I had 1 when I was 17 after my graduation awards evening at college it was awful
Yes, I struggle with generalized anxiety disorder and have so for years. I am very well attuned to how my body physically responds to just my regular everyday anxiety, versus when I am on the verge of a panic attack/actually having a panic attack. More recently, I was sitting in class, and for whatever reason, I started showing signs of an oncoming panic attack. That whole day had been off for me from the start, and I had also had a larger amount of bolder/stronger coffee than normal (I am also a coffee nut, but have learned how to cut back on my caffine consumption to better curb my daily anxiety). But this day I kind of dropped the ball on my coffee consumption, and was also very stressed out about lecture in class/ overly worried about the upcoming school week for various reasons. I was just sitting in class, my teacher was doing her regular lecture, and suddenly my heart started racing, my chest got tight, palms were sweaty, and I could no longer focus on the lecture at all. I was trying very hard not to start crying in the middle of class, because I was simply feeling so overwhelmed- that I was even having a panic attack/ that it was happening in public/ what in the world are my other classmates thinking/ can anyone tell that I am literally going through the beginning motions of a panic attack? All of it. So, what I did to help cope, was to leave the room. In an hour and a half of class time, I went to the bathroom about 3 times first, trying to calm myself down in the restroom alone. Those instances gave me brief respites. But what really calmed me down fully, and let me return to class intact, was being able to step outside, and then taking the proper amount of time I needed to calm myself back down. I got outside, in the sunshine, where it was breezy and I didn't feel so trapped. I started my breathing exercises and was able to mostly calm my wildly beating heart, and I went back to class when my palms weren't so sweaty and the band around my chest had loosened up some. This is just one example of having a panic attack, and this one was fairly mild compared to others I've had, but even still if you think you are having a panic attack, you have every right to take the time to get out and calm yourself down. If someone had straight up asked me if I was alright on that day during my panic attack, I probabaly would have started crying, simply because I felt so overwhelmed, mostly because I was having a panic attack in public, and that doesn't often happen for me. It can be embarresing and difficult to understand it yourself, and especially difficult to explain it all to someone else. So, if your panic attack worsens when someone was just asking if you were okay, it probably felt like your panic was being drawn attention to, and you just wanted that attention off of you. Because, it's very difficult to explain anyway, especially as your going through the actual panic attack. Your thoughts race around so quickly, it can be hard to get a grasp on them. This is simply my perspective/advice as a young woman who has dealt with GAD and panic attacks for a long time now. I know I wrote you a book to answer your question, but you can message me anytime if you have any more questions too. I hope this could help at all, and I hope you have a great day!
@Elyse E
SharadaDreamer that's not good if you ever need anything just text me on here
I wished people would just hug me and tell me it's going to okay,not it's okay or are you okay. I'm crying like crap and I can't freaking breathe stop asking me to breathe it's not that simple.just be there and stay quite don't talk don't move,that's the most you can do
Hope you're doing well now
You are really providing a wonderful service for people. I'm so happy to see your generation (I'm 72) taking an entirely different approach to providing a compassionate and therapeutic place for people to relax and heal.
Gosh I shudder at the infancy of psychotherapy when up until not that long ago, when an autistic child was diagnosed it was typically described as the fault of a "refrigerator mother."
Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
I had a really awful panic attack once when I was trapped on an overcrowded train that was stuck far from any station. I thought I was about to collapse into a wall of unsuspecting strangers but suddenly this woman noticed, asked if I was okay and got someone to stand up so I could have their seat. It was such a horrible experience but I don't think I'll ever forget her kindness.
Thank god I thought I was actually crazy. Thank you
I remember my first and worst panic attack ever 😩😭😭 my mom called an ambulance and I'm pretty sure I traumatized my siblings when I started gasping for air and crying that I couldn't breathe . My little sis , who never really showed emotion started crying so I knew everyone was scared, but not more terrified than I was . That was the first time I'd experienced chest discomfort/ heart problems after having my wisdom teeth out . Years later I found that I have a leaky heart valve , and when I was episodes of feeling faint and like I can't catch my breath then I panic ....I saw my cousin have one at her brothers funeral when a family argument broke out between her mom , my mom and everyone who was sick of her mom . She was just standing in open spot screaming her lungs out , terrified . No could snap her out of it
I have panic attacks. For me, it feels as though all the walls are closing in on me. I begin to feel light headed and unable to focus. My palms get sweaty and my hands and legs start to shake. I feel the constant need to rub my hands on my legs or together. I feel as if I'm suffocating and I start to hyperventilate.
Samm Winchester
I can't stop shaking and screaming
when the panic hits me its like a huge giant invisible seawave that you can't stop
and I feel suffocation
I just want to die when it happens
Chest pain, you wanna vomit, everything around you scares you and you want it to stop but it's only getting worse. Your comment waa 4 yrs ago so hopefully you're okay now
For panic attacks I start to choke up, ball my eyes out (cry), my head fills with horrible memories and thoughts of how could everyone hate me cus of how worthless I am. I feel like a disaster I always try to hide my face but just have to run away. It happens almost every single day at school and making it a living nightmare
I've had one and I thought it was a heart attack. Scary :(
same here 😢
JuliasScissor XleoPetra
its terrifying to have one let a lot 7 a day like I do
I think if you are having a panic attack 1st thing to do is sit down with you back against the wall and put on meditation music
How are u
Hopeful and helpful story for you all. Five years ago I had severe panic attacks due to repressed anger at 2 sociopathic bosses. The fear was so debilitating that I felt like I was losing my mind. The worst thing was that they were (apparently) random. I would be watching a movie or reading a great book, something truly pleasant, and, bam, it hits you like a bus. The dread was so brutal. Since they happened randomly during activities I loved, I gradually began (unconsciously) avoiding those activities. I didn't realize it until I was deeply mired, but I had become agoraphobic. My only safe place was my bathtub. My comfort zone, my world, was tiny. Still, I was forced to go to my job to make ends meet, and the random attacks got progressively worse. Then, a therapist recommended the Anxiety And Phobia Workbook, which changed my life. First, it illuminated something for me... that my intense fear was actually repressed anger at my bosses, anger at not being allowed self expression in my (creative) job. Once I realized that, I left my job. They said "how much do we need to pay in order to keep you?" Yeahhhh no. No amount, not even $500k per year, is worth this hell. Bye. :) My general care doc tried to put me on SSRIs which really fucked with me. I told him, trust me, I don't have a serotonin problem. I need stability. His response was to try to double my dosage. I tried that for one day and nearly lost my shit and decided im the core of my being that SSRIs were wrong for me. Xanax was a blessing though. You have to appreciate Xanax and do not use it regularly. This means confronting your fears, step by step, increasingly uncomfortably. Anyway, every day I studied that book in the bath. I learned meditation. Every day I felt a tiny bit better. Until 6 months later, when I was living every day feeling completely reborn and euphoric. The last legitimate panic attack I've had was years ago. Sure, spmetimes fear still creeps up when I'm exhausted or stressed, but through meditation I have learned to ride those feelings instead of trying to make them stop. I am resilient. I am powerful on my own two feet. I have built the skill to weather any panic attack within my head. I am so proud of myself. And I'll never work for a bad boss, a toxic environment, again. Btw, I have been a Director at a company for the last two years and I feel blessed and valued at work. My boss is incredible. If anyone is struggling with panic, anxiety OCD, (all different things with different solutions!!!), please , go buy that book and study it intensely. Hang in there. Who you are now is not who you always will be. Take your process step by step. Use CBT to push yourself outside of your comfort zone but not too far! Be nurturing and loving to yourself too. Just imagine there's a little terrified child inside each one of us. Radiate warmth and love and attention to the child in you. Listen to it. Ask it questions. Don't be freaked out if you get an answer!! I once reached such depths of terror that I asked myself "what are your afraid of?" and instantly there was an answer waiting for me inside my own head. It was scary (I thought, am I going schizo or what?) but I realized that having these intimate internal adult-child dialogues was calming and liberating. My inner, emotionally wise (yet curiously naive) brain sought expression. And me giving it expression via internal dialogue was the salve that healed all trauma. "We" haven't "spoken" in years because there has been no need to. The little boy in me has expression. I LISTEN by playing careful attention to my feelings as I go through life. That inner child is me. This competent, confident adult IS me too.
I have agoraphobia with panic disorder, and the most debilitating part of the panic attacks now is that afterwards I have this mental fatigue that is so intense I can't concentrate to hold a conversation, constantly forget what I am doing, can't complete full thoughts and sentences, feel exhausted and have bad headaches. It doesn't go away without hours of silent rest afterwards, which makes any tiny task that causes anxiety & panic then take the full day.
Today I had to go to doctor after having 6 in 20 hours and no sleep. I had ECG , I had heartburn , dizziness , choking , heat and cold sensations , chest pains and pressure , fear of dying , numbness in my face , it was the most traumatic thing I have ever gone through. I lost my fourth baby last January and had an allergic reaction the same night and it started from then .
Edel Waugh I too have had numbness in my face and arm. I thought I was going to die. now when i feel any tingly sensation I try to tell myself it's anxiety.
Edel Waugh sounds like some of the worse panic attacks I’ve had in the past. Had one similar to this (got me my first diagnosis) when my nephew was born and nearly didn’t make it. I wish you luck in your healing process.
Def feel like I'm dying. CBT therapy helped day one but I had a few bad days and then never went back.
It's important guys I go out there and do it! She's right! TALK ABOUT IT
Don't suffer alone.
I'm still fighting EVERY single day
My panic attacks changed, when they started I thought I was going crazy, now I think I’m having a stroke, it’s awful but it does help to talk about it and learn about it and knowing that nothing is actually happening to you (physically) helps too
When I'm having a panic attack I feel disassociated from the present moment. It feels like I'm not really there. And then I start breathing really fast and trembling. It's a scary experience
My panic attacks vary a bit but I mostly get hot& cold sweats, feel like I'm going to vomit, feel dizzy bad like I'm going to faint, really panicky like I need to escape wherever I am. Nausea and headache, if it's really bad I get muscle twitches and spasms. drowsiness. Indigestion, and stomach pains, pins & needles. I need fresh air and space, I have an added problem where any place ive have had a panic attack I refuse to go back. Even thinking about some of the places where I had one can bring o another panic attack. For example the theatre, my friend from works house, Pizza Hut!! -these places I have a fear of cos it brings on my anxiety.
I was plagued with daily panic attacks for years. I'm happy to say I havn't had one for about 8 months now.
Panic attacks are the worst! At one point I was admitted because I was having at least three attacks a day. I still suffer from them but now it only happens once a week, which is really good.
They just appear out of the blue with no warning. I loose my breath and immediately starts hyperventilating to the point where I just collapses and my body starts cramping. It's horrible! When it's over it takes me so long to get my speech and hand functions back, and I get a lot of muscle spasms and ticks until my body reaches a normal oxygen level again .. I have been checked for epilepsy and other things, but it really just is panic attacks.
Fuck panic's a bummer symptom
When I have panic attack’s I feel like I need to leave, even if I’m in a open space. And in my worse ones, I start crying, and hyperventilating. I have a complete meltdown and start pacing.
I have c-PTSD and I often get panic attack when I get flashbacks and then panic attacks just took over my life and I would sh to "snap out of it". I haven't self harmed in over 1,5 years and I haven't had a panic attack for 6 months. I just started to not care.
In your description you wrote
"You're worth the fight"
It made me cry.
Cos I'm convinced I'm totally not worth it. I feel so useless.
Like people around me would be better off without me.
I'm not worth being helped.
My life is just doomed.
And over.
I'm just fighting to stay alive but I don't even know why I do that.
It hurts so bad sometimes.
Anyways.
Thank you Kati for all your videos.
I learned a lot thanks to you.
Good luck to everyone who suffers out there.
I would say something hopeful if I could but I'm not able to pretend I believe in hope.
So the only thing I can say to you all is: good luck.
I couldn’t stop shaking my heart was racing, I couldn’t breath and I felt like I was dying.
How are u now
Eeek
Also something that could be useful would be a explanation to what happens inside of the body during a panic attack. That the body is preparing you to run, flee or fight by releasing adrenaline and is directing bloodflow to the vital organs (like when you get really scared and your face gets drained out of blood), slowing the digestion and other things that it thinks will be life preserving in a threatening situation. At least it helped me to know both what triggered it and what is happening in the body during it.
My panic attacks feel like I can't breathe, shortness of breath, nausea, I feel like my throat is being choked and it's really awful. Sometimes the worst part is that I feel light headed and dizziness throughout the whole day.
Just make sure you remember to breathe.
Same here...plz wa me my wa 917377893705
So true! I have anxiety and have panic attacks and I have talked to my doctor and now have "as needed" meds, so I don't have to take it everyday. But having it in my purse at all times makes me much more relaxed even when I get so anxious I'll think it's there if it gets too far, I'll take one. Then I end up not needed it because I'm working on it and making baby milestones. And if it does get to far I take one in seconds and I come back down. I highly recommend trying it if you can. Also I can take it if I am entering a triggering event like crowds if I'm going to a HUGE concert I know to take one on the way. So helpful!!👍
I myself suffer from panic attacks, luckily, they are not as frequent as they were a couple months ago.... But when I reached out a therapist for the first time in my life and said "I think I'm having panic attacks, you know, it feels as if I'm choking, I'm shaking and horrified and my palms are sweaty'... She said: ' You kid have a really good imagination or you read too much Internet. You're too young to have panic attacks (I'm 18 btw), so stop faking it, you are absolutely healthy. And do not tell that nonsense ever again' Thank God there are people like you, Kati, who can help us💕
I only feel anxiety in my stomach, and I have a huge fear of throwing up so whenever I feel nauseous (which is often, I start to panic) and the panic is only in my stomach. I get numb hands and really sweaty and a tight chest, but for me those don't bother me as much as the thought that I could vomit. I panic at the thought that I can't control it. It's difficult to live with because people don't see why I would be scared of vomiting, I don't really know why I am either....
itsgallegon i can relate
itsgallegon , I have horrible pain in my lower abdomen during panic attacks
Hey. Your comment caught my attention. It’s like I was reading myself type. I have the SAME exact feeling towards throwing up. I am terrified of vomiting or feeling nauseous. If I get slightly nauseated I tense up, my heart starts beating really fast, I feel so scared. It’s an actual phobia called emetophobia.
itsgallegon
I feel the same symptoms as you 100℅
That’s exactly what I get
After my mother died years ago when I was a teen, my panic attacks came as urges to jump out of moving cars, no matter whom I was with. Maybe claustrophobia or something, but for a few months I would have to sit on my hands as we were riding to wherever. The urge to reach for the door handle was that strong. It was such a relief when those urges finally went away.
I’ve had two panic attacks or anxiety attacks in 2 months April at work and today in may luckily I’m seeing my therapist in the coming week
I have had anxiety for the past year or so, and last month I had an Attack while visiting my Aunt in the hospital with my mom, I couldn't breath properly, my heart was pounding, I was shaking, etc.. It happened suddenly with no real triggers.. But, my mom finally believed I have anxiety, and my Grandma gave me natural meds for it and I haven't had bad anxiety since. Its such a relief
Hi Kati I was just wondering if crying is a symptom of panic attacks? In My 'panic attacks' normally I start crying and I'm not sure why. I was taking lots of big deep breaths, and my heart would sped up as if I am exercising and my palms get really sweaty. Does that sound like a panic attack to you? They don't happen to often but Have occurred quite a few times in the last year or so. I would feel silly going to see someone for it if it is not a real panic attack. I feel like I may have an anxiety disorder. Thank you for reading xx
That happens to me too I start crying for no apparent reason and I feel like I can't breathe
Don't worry,I had anxiety attacks a couple of times now and I cry too,I really thought I was going to die but people around me didn't realize what exactly I was feeling they didn't really take it seriously and I hope people could understand more
People often cry during panic attacks. Crying isn't a symptom, but panic attacks are really scary, which is probably what makes you cry.
I usually get a pit in my stomach and nausea, thats the first sign for me. and then my face gets really hot and tingly and then that same sensations goes to my feet and hands, and then i start crying and hyperventilating. It feels like you're going to die, and i had a breakdown afterwards because of how traumatic it is. But yeah, every panic attack varies, all of them are different. for me, some are worse than others. it's really hard to get back to reality and recover afterwards.
Crying happens to a lot of people during panic attacks. They are very overwhelming. It does sound like a panic attack, but the only person who would truly be able to help you understand that, and if you have an anxiety disorder, would be a therapist.
Yeah so I had my first ever panic attack today and I was so freaked out and scared. I couldn’t stop crying and shaking for like 20-30 minutes. It was pretty sudden. It started as my brain flipping through things that could go wrong and situations that did and getting increasingly more freaked out and then all of a sudden it changed. It was no longer about those things, it wasn’t about anything at all. I was just so intensely afraid of nothing at all. I started to cry, then hyperventilating, then I felt like I was dying, then I stopped breathing so hard, but I kept crying, breathing a little weird and shaking. Then it ended.
My and sister gets panic attacks and hyperventilates so she breathes into a paper bag for a few moments. The CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) helps because she's getting too much O2 (Oxygen) and she calms right down. This may or may not help others but it's worth a try it helps my sister almost immediately.
I had them. And PTSD, severe OCD as well. But i live free of mental illness now. I hope one day everyone can be.
When I get panic attacks I get shortness of breath, hot flashes, increased heart beats, faintness, dizziness, weakness in my limbs, nauseous, and that out of body feeling.
They’re honestly one of the worst things ever. I also feel like I’m dying/ like I want to die because things just feel so overwhelming. Luckily I’ve gotten a lot of help and I’m able to control them a lot better now!
Thank you,thank you, thank you , for this video!!! I have never understood what a panic attack was. So I just thought of my feeling being nervousness or as my psychologist labels it as 'my anxiety'. I can clearly remember points in my life feeling like this so much so it even brings on a slight panic attack thinking about it! Gosh and I remember feeling like I was going to die after relapsing from self-harm thinking I needed to go to hospital, feeling hot and cold, numb shaking/dizzy so i could hardly stand up feeling like I couldn't breath.
I can remember plenty of times at school where I have felt many of the symptoms which Kati mentioned, and just brushed it of as nervousness and shyness. Where as now that I'm getting some help I can see that I WAS having panic attacks especially in drama and English (I just wasn't aware of it at the time until now) and that it is linked into my social anxiety. Thank you Kati ☺️
I'm a 55 year old male, the last forty years have been one, long, low grade panic attack for me. I've learned to accommodate it. I watch the internet for edifying programs - like a documentary on the French Impressionist paint Monet, or some other painter. I know what it is like to be paralyzed by anxiety. - - For those who are disheartened - I'm relatively happy now. Keep plugg'in.
I just had this once, awful, I thought I was dying or having a heart attach, dizziness, lack of breath... The worst is that I was in a train commuting from work, so I was really scared.
i had my first panic attack last night, i felt light headed and dizzy all day,and it came to the night time and i had a heart palpitation and i have them every odd day but it made me panic and it started to scare me,i started to shake and i couldn’t catch my breath like where people breath really fast mine feels like it’s going so slow,i felt like i was going faint so my mum took me the doctors and they told me i was fine and checked my heart rate and blood,they told me it was a really bad panic attack. it was so scary i honestly did think i was going to die or have a heart attack. it’s the next day now and i still feel light headed, but i think i’m just over thinking my breathing because of what happened the night before. i’m scared of it happening again.
i had one today, so relieved im calm now , thought i ws dyin
I have anxiety with some panic attacks but only get them when arguing with my lover or when someone in a position of power puts me down and abuses me. I have been vomiting from them which really sucks because the times it happens, i throw up all I eat and I can't eat again cuz anxiety is too bad. Feels like I'm being shut in a small room with no air and no love
I've had a lot since the corona virus outbreak it's proper freaking me out all this bad news
I have an anxiety disorder and panic disorder so recently like within the last year i’ve started getting more and more panic attacks like i used to when i was younger but now i know what i was having before were panic attacks. i have been to the ER for panic attacks twice before and even with the panic attacks i had when i was younger they were never at the point where i would say i needed to go to the hospital or ask to go to the hospital. i felt like i was hyperventilating and going to faint and die and i get so shaky my whole body tenses up and i even feel sick which is my number one phobia which makes it worse. if i don’t have my medication on me it can last on and off for an hour maybe 2 at most but i always need to have my panic meds on me so i can take it right away as soon as i feel a panic attack coming on. all that you were saying is totally true so thank you for teaching people what panic attacks are and how to recognize them
The first thing I feel in a panic attack is tightness in my chest and then my throat, like asthma (which I have as well). Second I feel my fingers and toes go numb and my whole body gets cold and shakes.
I've learned that when I am able to recognize that I'm having a panic attack, I can try to assure myself that I will be okay - despite the fears that usually trigger them, I won't die in the moment of the attack. Counting in: 1, 2, 3 and counting out: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 usually helps with breathing for me as well. My therapist has at least been able to help me out with dealing in the middle of a panic attack, but we've still got to work on what causes them.
Snickercole same then overwhelming feeling
Trouble with Anxiety disorders is that, if you are born with it, it seems normal, that's just how life is.
A week ago I had a lengthy conversation with a local person. a hour later I had pounding heart and my blood pressure went to 165. If I start having panic attacks from social interactions it will really piss me off.
The main symptoms I have are stomach issues such as feeling sick and also feeling extremely warm, its difficult to do things when these things happen but I've found now all I have to do is just wait a little while and hopefully it passes
I have a panic disorder. Ten years ago I had panic attacks and I rejected any medical help later they progressed and became worse. I started taking a very low dose of medication and DBT and cognitive behavioral therapy. I was able to stop taking medication and for 10 years I did not have panic attacks. Just recently I started having panic attacks and my blood pressure and heart rate would go up very high that landed me in the emergency room several times before the last two times I was diagnosed with panic attacks. The panic attacks lasted for 2 hours with breaks in between and for three days continuously until I finally decided to take a low dose of something to call me. It is a very discouraging process to go through panic and anxiety I have created a plan with my doctor and I'm following that. It is completely different now the way the panic attack Sensations feel then they did 10 years ago. What is absolutely the same is that fear really drives them hand causes breathing issues acrophobia. I have hope because I've conquered this before and I know I will again. Thank you for posting these videos.
Thank you, Kati! Just what I needed. would love to hear more
Great video… I started having panic attacks around two/ three years ago and had no idea what it was. They became so severe my parents would bring me in and out of the ER and doctor offices and I couldn't sleep or do anything really. A video like this would have been so helpful to me and my parents in the beginning! Hopefully you'll help others!
I have them,and its importnant to find something that relaxes you the most.
I have had panic attacks a lot over the years but the dr finally has me on the rite medications.
I don't believe I've had a panic attack before ever in my life, I was only curious as one thing you mentioned rang true to me, was lately I have being feeling nauseous on occasion.
This year my family and myself have had so much going on, one crisis after another. One being how I need eye surgery, regardless I have felt nauseous lately but have not actually been physically sick, and I find my brain not shutting off when I go to bed. Last night it felt like a very long time, before I fell to sleep 💗💕
I would love to se you make a video on the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack.
I’ve just had this panic attack for almost a month. It makes weaker and weaker and lost control. I couldn’t breath well which makes me very shocked. Could you please give some tips to treat at home.
My first attack was a few months ago. My husband and I were in marriage counseling. My husband is emotionally and verbally abusive. She began to side with him (in public he is Mr. Nice) and tell me to stop dwelling on the past. I could not believe she was giving him permission to continue his behavior. My throat swelled up and I could not talk! I cancelled our next appointment but my husband thought she hit our problem directly on me and therefore he is blameless.
When I get a panick attack one of my first reactions is a strong urge to go to the bathroom. I guess it's not as common? Anyone else have similar symptoms?
choiminkilovestory yup. I’ve had a couple like that. I feel like my bladder gets really hot and I’m going to wet myself. Then when I try I can’t even focus on it.
Omg now I can relate lol
I just rewatched this video to make sure I was right with what I name my own panic attacks, because my therapist just told me that I'm using the term wrong. But it showed me again that I'm right with calling what I experience panic attacks. Most of the time my heartbeat goes up and I can't breath properly, sweat, shake, have chest pain and feel like I can't control myself, and that in fact are some of the symptoms you named. so thank you for clarifying it, helped a lot
I had my first panic attack in the middle of a basketball practice, I told my coach and they are going to help me if it happens again. But I felt dizzy, tired, alone, I couldn’t breath, and my vision was blurry. This was my first panic attack so I had no idea what was going on, but it was so scary. Thank you for these videos, they are so helpful!
Having a panic attack nearly everyday feels like it’s never going to end. I’ve recently only started having panic attacks for almost two months now, but they’ve been so exhausting. These past two months felt like years because of them. I’ve been seeing a therapist, and got put on medication. Unfortunately, the medicine was probably doing it’s job, but I had a panic attack after taking the pill and immediately thought it was the pill and I should stop. Constantly worrying about something gets so tiring to the point that suicidal thoughts burst into my brain like a broken down dam that held up gallons of water. 🥺🥺 writing about it is therapeutic, yet, it scares me. It’s nice knowing I’m not going through it alone.
P.s. I constantly think I’m having a stroke due to numbness in my body during the panic attack :(
I've had a panic attack before. Maybe more than once but I have calmed myself down especially if I'm in public or at work.
Stimulants in drink and food can cause panic attacks. Coffey regular or decaf, black tea regular or decaf, green tea regular or decaf, chocolate and other stimulant drinks. Big panic attacks are pre heart attacks and they are not just in your head. Once a panic attack starts drinking a large glass of water can slow down or stop one. Drinking strong chamomile tea can help during a attack. Getting the body cold and going for a short walk can make a big difference.
As someone who suffers with panic attacks, i found this really helpful. I hope other people found as useful as me.
I didn't get help for a long time because i thought that what i was feeling wasn't severe enough to be a panic attack, and it actually made things a lot worse. If you have any of the symptoms on this video, please talk to someone :) xx
When I have them, I feel like I'm going crazy, I feel like I choke and can't breath, I shake and I tend to disassociate my self. Like some things that trigger my panic attacks are simple things like weather (I have a huge fear of tornados, but I have never been in one) and then there's other things like auditioning for something, or talking to people I don't know for the first time, and sometimes if I think about suicide, that can throw me into one also.
This video was posted at the perfect timing for me! I had a panic attack at school today and it wasn't fun, or easy. Someone please message, thanks.
my mom took me to the hospital because of it about 3 times because I nearly fainted and had really bad head aches and my chest was hurting (it felt like someone stabbed me). and the doctors looked at me in a really shaming way and they told me that there was nothing physically wrong with me. and they didn't help at all.
Truly sorry to hear this it's made even worse when you feel alone with the anxiety or the psychosis and by not getting the help this only adds to it. My heart goes out to you.
The worst panic attack that I had that I can remember was last year. I don'f even know if I could classify it as a panic attack, but i felt like I was being suffocated. It literally felt like my heart was going to explode because it was beating so fast and so hard I couls hear it in my head and feel it in my feet. my blood pressure was 205 over 140, (I'm overweight, but I'm only 18, was 17 at the time.) I felt like I was going to die, and I truly believed it because of how fast my heart was beating (i swear you could see it thumping on my chest) and I couldn't stand up. I can't even tell if it was a panic attack because it seemed so different from what my panic attacks are usually like. I couldn't feel my legs or my arms, and people said my face was turning blue. It was a terrifying experience, more terrifying than the time I had an anaphylactic reaction not too long before that...
In those few months I suffered high blood pressure and anxiety with almost no other symptoms, had many tests done and they turned out normal, went to a cardiologist and actually had a panic attack during one of the tests I took but everything showed up normal... I wish I could figure out what's going on and stop feeling like it's all in my head...
I like Kati’s videos. It validates how I feel and I don’t feel afraid to look this stuff up. This just confirms what I went through last night, thank you
I needed this. Thank you!
i had a panic attack at work, then my manager made fun of me. worst thing ever. i was embarrassed to begin with
Is there a different term for a moment of acute anxiety (extreme worry, feeling on the verge of tears, and inability to focus on anything but the object of the anxiety), but without all the physical symptoms you describe... except for maybe a elevated heart rate?
When I feel super-anxious like that, I'm tempted to describe it as a panic attack, but then I hear descriptions of panic attacks and it doesn't really fit. I've never felt like I was having a heart attack. So it makes me second guess whether it's fair to use that term. What do you think? Is that a panic attack, or is there a different term I should use?
Julie Herrick I'm not a professional, but I have that happen to me often, and I believe that it's an anxiety attack.
Omg! That's exactly how I would describe what happens to me!! I also refrain from calling them panic attacks because they don't seem quite as extreme, but it's also an unbearable anxiety that is worse than normal. If you ever find any other term that might fit it better PLEASE let me know, I would really appreciate it.
I also have these and don’t know how I would describe it. Maybe it’s an anxiety attack? Idk but just wanted to tell you that you are not alone♡
I think anxiety attack is the best way to describe those situations. I’ve experienced anxiety attacks like that a lot of times but I’ve only truly had a panic attack once and it was definitely not the same thing. It was much worse and I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
As far as I know, anxiety and panic attacks are terms that are often used interchangeably. I experience a lot of what you described as well and I never knew how to call it so I just say intense panic or anxiety and I try to prevent it when I feel myself dissociate.
Whatever it is, whether you give it a name or not : seek help, talk to someone and try to empower yourself and master triggering situations or circumstances
I've definitely have had panic attacks. I felt like i was gonna run out of breath and so much pain in my whole body not just my chest. I didn't even realize I was crying or that I was sitting in the bathroom floor until it was over. I am definitely scared of having more and lately they have been happening more frequently. Just learning to deal with them little by little.
I've suffered from panic disorder while younger. Panic disorder is a devilish nuisance, for a panic attack doesn't need an opinion what so ever to come. I had to eat medication to numb my brain back in the days, just to get to a local store or over a bridge while not loosing consciousness
Wow this was wonderful! It hit a lot of things that I've experienced and it's nice to see that I'm human an there are a lot more ppl in the world that goes through this every day.
I've suffered from panic attacks for years now (I'm 25). The longest one has lasted 4 hours but on average they last about an hour to an hour and a half.
Typically my symptoms include:
-heart palpitations,
-dissociation,
-trembling,
-lightheadedness,
-shortness of breath, and
-nauseousness.
I've found an app: "Panic Attack Aid" that really helps. It's got different section for reassurance, breathing techniques and distractions.
Hope this helps!
One day I just woke up in the middle of the night and just went crazy... I really thought I was dying that night. I remember sending a text to my family saying that I loved them and not to be sad etc... That was strange
Oh god was I praying for her to say derealization I'm so glad that it is caused by my anxiety it makes me feel a little better since I've overcome my fear of death I can for sure overcome this too..
You said panic attacks can't be diagnosed. What about panic disorder? That can be diagnosed... In my experience, I have NEVER been afraid of possibly having a panic attack, so that has never been a cause/trigger. Mine sometimes don't peak for 20-30 minutes, and it can be a couple hours before I calm down. That will exhaust me for DAYS afterward!
I love her videos so much. So helpful.
Thank you for all your wonderful videos. You are a very talented therapist. I feel like you understand mental health patients view as well as the therapist. I'm attempting to not dissociate and your videos are keeping me learning and present. Aspecially since I without a therapist at the moment. So thank you!
So I just watched you're video from Friday and you mentioned panic attacks. I was going to find some research on it to learn more about it, and I look down at my computer and see this video! #coincidence
I had never had a panic attack until I was 18 and freshly out of high school. I had some friends over and we decided to smoke some weed. I’m not a big pot head, never had a strong desire to smoke weed but I had done so a couple of times and turned out fine. Well, I must of taken a huge hit or something because as the night progressed my heart began to beat like crazy. I began to get lightheaded and sank into my head and began to think I was actually going to die. My face was numb and cold, my vision slow and weird. I got up and began pacing around and I did so for 2 hours until finally, at 2 in the morning, it finally passed and I was able to calm down a little. The next day I still had issues, though. My anxiety got worse and I was constantly in my head. I thought I was going crazy and I would never be normal again. It was quite terrifying and wouldn’t wish it on anybody. I basically spent that whole night thinking I was dying.
This is very helpful.
I don't believe i have anything quite so serious as that.Not as intense anyway.Just yesterday,i was thinking about what i wanted to do to pass the time,and in my confusion began to get anxious.I felt muscle tension and heat and my heart beat a little faster.I had trouble calming down on my own without some medication.But i never felt pain,or that hyperventilation.
i started to take panic attacks over a year ago, and i went to my gp for help, she referred me into counselling which i just finished there in the middle of october, talking about my panic attacks and where they came from etc was really helpful and made me more aware of them and how i could help to prevent the intensity of them. i used to have them because of a build up of anxiety related to a certain subject like school or family, but then i started to have them because of the fear of having one! it was crazy! i frequently stayed at home and didnt go out with friends in the fear of having one in public and the embarrassment would of been too much, and i became socially isolated, but now i am getting better all because i talked to someone about it, i never thought it would help but it did! so please if you struggle with panic attacks please talk to someone because it REALLY helps!
The first panic attack I had was when I had to do a swimming race for the first time ever. I’m a good swimmer but I never really raced because it was stressful but I wanted to try it. I put my face in the water and swam I went to take a breath and couldn’t I swam without a breath for a while and went to breathe again but couldn’t at this point I had to stand up in the middle of the race and then began shaking and still couldn’t breathe, they got me out the pool and sat me on the side. My whole body was numb or tingling and I was shaking sweating and couldn’t breathe. It’s not the last panic attack I’ve had and I think there are still more to come.
i struggle with panic attacks and this was really helpful and informative,
Thank you so much for this video Kati!!! You're always so helpful!! Lots of love from your northern hat!
Hey, can you do a video on anxiety attacks? I know the two are different, so can you do a video explaining the similarities and differences between anxiety and panic attacks, and and how to deal with anxiety attacks? That would make my day.
i used to have panic attacks almost nightly growing up. still have them on occasion. when they happen i feel like the world is spinning, im shaking, freezing cold and cant breathe. not a fun feeling, sometimes they last about like 20 minutes for me and it seems way longer. i have problems concentrating for a while afterwards.
one thing that occasionally helps me is coloring to help me relax.
I had a panic attack a couple weekends ago, but I didn't know what it was. It started with a cramp in my foot that wouldn't go away, so I decided to walk it out. But as soon as I got up, I got dizzy and everything started going black(like when u get up to fast) so I thought I'd wait it out, but it didn't stop and I started feeling really hot. I decided to get a drink of cold water bc I thought that would help. I was so dizzy I was leaning up against the walls as I made my way the the kitchen, which isn't that far from my bedroom. I still couldn't see much so I had to feel around for a cup. I remember I couldn't even feel the ice touching my hand, nor could I hear how much noise I was making. I felt my way to the sink and turn it on. By this time my mom got up and told me to go to bed, but I could barely hear her, or see her. All I heard was a ringing in my head. I started crying telling her what was happening, At first she thought I was having night terrors bc I recently started having those too. She told me to go outside to get some fresh air, but that didn't help. Finally I could see somewhat better but everything didn't look normal it was like every where I looked were colorful squiggly lines. I remember checking to feel my heartbeat, but I couldn't feel anything which scared me even more so I asked my mom to feel my heartbeat she said it was almost beating out of my chest. I do have anxiety and for me counseling doesn't work (well at least the one I was seeing didn't help) I still don't know what caused the panic attack but it scares me everytime I think about. I wanna say it may have lasted for 3 or 4 mins.
Sorry for the long paragraph just wanted to share my experience with y'all.
Who remembers their first panic attack? Mine was in middle school. It was the 7 or 8th grade but I’m pretty sure it was the 7th
I know I have anxiety but it never occurred to me that what I experience every time I have to talk in front of a crowd is what most people call panic attacks. I've always just thought of it as these extreme cases/my worst episodes of anxiety. But I literally have panic attacks every single time I am required to talk in front of people. The number of people don't matter, just as long as there are many pair of eyes focused solely on me. The panic attacks are automatic. Almost like they're second nature. And I've never actually talked about it with other people because I know most would not take this kind of thing seriously and they'll probably just brush it off as 'stage fright' but this is something that I've experience since grade school. And I'm in college now.
I don't really get them anymore, but I vividly remember having them when I was about 10-11 I would stay awake as long as could just terrified that if I slept I wouldn't wake up, other times I felt like I was falling, lightheaded, or even about to faint. I don't think my mother really knew how to deal with it, so I had to deal with it on my own.
I have two a month.. maybe even more. It usually happens when I’m at home, or relaxing.. it never happens when I’m busy @ work. When I used to have them when I lived at home. I used to say “call the ambulance” And my dad would pretend and then I’d start coming down lol idk why that made me always feel better(props to my dad for pretending every time lol 😐)... and talking to someone about how I’m feeling helps come down too.
Such a scary feeling though... terrifying
From this video I think I have panic attacks occasionally. Usually I'm home alone or walking my dog alone. My breathing gets quick and I feel super aware of my heart rate and breathing. I usually run to a place in my house where I feel safe, which if most often a corner of some sort where I can see everything happen around me. I find that breathing exercises are really helpful when I can feel one coming on, but once it's happening it's hard to prevent.
I have really bad testing and social anxiety. Which sucks when in school cause test are all you do. But i learned that having a few comfort objects helps me manage enough i can breath through it all. Sadly one day i was in a complete panic an forgot them at home. Ik it was gonna be a bad day when i woke up with 10mins to catch the bus [mind you if i missed the bus i wouldn't make ot to school for this big test the ACT] then mother scoffed at me for telling her i NEEDED her to bring my bear or something to school for me. That got me hyperventilating.....then we had a 30min speech from people about how important it is an could mean the difference from what collage we get into to our future careers. YAYYYYYY I WAS READY TO JUST die. Then they started calling us one by one....an my friend told me "It's no big deal." And tbat my motjer was right an i needed to get over myself. Annnn that is when i broke. I started sobbing an shaking hardly able to even take a breath. I didn't wanna go but one my friends pulled me along an i had to or wasn't allowed to graduate. Safe to say.....i didn't do so hot, but i refused to take it again an still do. Was the worse experience of my life. Now i never go anywhere without one my stuffed animals or something to comfort me.
I get a type of anxiety attack I don’t hear people talking about. I think it’s because I have Bipolar II with Rapid Cycling Severe Anxious Distress. Basically I call it “The Pit” bc it’s as close to Hell as you can experience without being in literal Hell. It’s a horrible mix of Cognitive Constriction, so I can’t think outside what I’m immediately experiencing; which is a Severe Anxiety Attack, with a Mixed Episode of Dysphoric Hypomania, Crippling Suicidal Depression, and Disassociation all at once. It lasts anywhere from 30mins to 6 hours.
STAGE 1: It usually starts off with the immediate feeling of “oh shit, it’s gunna get dark.” I start having ruminating and racing thoughts about everything that’s troubling me. It can be little things or it can be my past trauma. I start to get the beginning symptom of anxiety. My heart will beat faster, my thoughts will get faster, my breathing will get faster, and the creeping in of the doom feelings start.
STAGE 2: This causes me to slip into or more rapidly into a Severe Depressive Ep. I get a feeling of agonizing depression in a void or bubble, separate from everyone and everything.The utter aloneness and helplessness creeps in, and the negative self talk, hopelessness, helplessness, etc kick in and repeat bc of the racing thoughts. It’s like a cloud of all the bad things surrounds me, and my vision gets wonky. It becomes darker and I get tunnel vision.
STAGE 3: Then the anxiety attack comes into full play. The hyperventilating is making me dizzy, I can’t stop crying, or shaking, and then I get the need to run away, but I can’t because I feel like I’m in my own bubble of horror. I want to stop this all so bad I begin to dissociate. I can’t think straight at all, and coping skills DO NOT work and I don’t know why.
STAGE 4: All this all gets kicked into higher gear because of the Depressive Ep turning into a Severe Mixed Episode due to the start of the Hypomanic Ep or it starting faster because of the way I feel the need to run or do something, anything, to stop it all. Basically the Flight, Fight, and Shutdown System triggers my Hypomania, which I guess would be good if I was chased by some Mountain Lion. Hypomania for me is almost always dysphoric which make some feel like my body is burning because it’s so uncomfortable and foreign, my clothes feel so wrong as well. Eventually, due to the 4X increase in the intensity of all the symptoms, all I feel is my mind and body.
STAGE 5: Dysphoria causes the trapped in a bubble, can’t feel outside what I’m experiencing, and fog of horrible ruminating fast thoughts to make me dissociate like I’m out of my body but also fully aware and feeling. The rational and in control part of me is what dissociates which I guess could be why I can’t use coping skills with these ones. I literally stop knowing where I am because it gets so dark, and all my senses are occupied with flash backs to traumatic things to register where I am.
STAGE 6: The only thing I think of to make it stop (especially when it’s hours on end,) is self harm and suicide as my only way out. Self-harm has helped to stop it but I’m so addicted it’s to the point where I cut deep enough for 22 really complex surgical stitches. I fight these thoughts til I’m on the brink. So I sit, lay or stay in whatever position I’m in for hours to deal with the shit storm of all the bad symptoms of my mental illnesses occurring at once.
The only thing... person, who has been able to stop these attacks is my Pastor. Not necessarily for religious reasons, but because he’s the only person I trust with everything, and has been there for me unlike everyone else.
I'm not sure if I had a panick attack but I have an eating disorder and as you said I felt like I couldn't breath and felt dizzy. This happened to me 3 times when I was really scared of the food and stressing about it. It's so hard to stop it and I usually have to lay down to try and get my breath under controle.
i ended up associating my daily panic attacks with work because of my work manager relationship. i got diagnosed with panic disorder and started treatment but it was too late and it lead to me losing my job and ruining my career
Thank you! I think I may have started having these