Anyone else had these panic attack symptoms before?

[Noso]

A couole of hours ago I had what was probably the worst panic attack I've ever had, I won't into huge detail about what triggered but needless to say I can't handle confrontation whatsoever, I pretty much fall to pieces straight away and freak out.

Anyway when it really kicked into gear my hands and fingers all siezed up like crab claws and it was actually quite painful it was like I was being mildly electrocuted, this then spread to my face and my face went all numb and it actually made it difficult to talk, at that point brain goes into overdrive and screams stroke! It took me a while to convince myself otherwise and get movement back in my hands, fingers and face.

I've had anxiety for a fair while and I've never experienced anything like this before, just putting seeing if this has happened to anyone else?

cheers for listening guys,

Kieran

[Hope_for_the_best]

What you experienced are not uncommon. The numbness you felt was a result of hyperventilation, which happens when you breathe out a lot of carbon dioxide within a short time, like in a panic attack. Probably you breathed too fast during this panic attack and thus you felt the effect more intensely than your previous ones. I know it is hard, but try to breathe slowly when you are panicking. It may help if someone is next to you to guide your breathing. Breathing apps may help too.

[blondguy]

Hi Kieran

Thankyou for the great thread as having a mega anxiety (panic) attack can be a devastating & awful feeling.

I understand where your pain as I has the same severe panic attack when I was in my early 20's and it scared the hell out of me.....at the time. The anxiety did keep 'biting' me for a while as well. I am not being negative for a moment, only a realist.

My major screw up was not seeing my GP/counselor enough....so I endured more anxiety thinking I could get better on my own using natural remedies. I just didnt 'get it' that I needed to 'vent' to a GP or a psychologist.

Good News though Kieran....the severity of anxiety does reduce over time with regular ongoing counseling.

Can I ask if you have seen your GP about what you have been through?

Its only my experience but the sooner you can 'vent' about it to a doc the better the quality of your recovery

There are many super kind people on the forums that can be here for you too Kieran that also suffer from the similar awful feelings that you have been through

Good on you for having the courage to post...

My kindest thoughts

Paul

[Mathy]

Hi Kieran,

Sorry to hear about that experience, and it’s great you’ve shared this.

I agree with the others - anxiety manifests itself in some pretty weird and wonderful ways. I also agree with Croix, it needs to be tackled, otherwise it has a nasty habit of getting bigger and “bitier”. I treat anxiety and panic attacks as a friend - they are telling you that something in your psyche needs dealing with.

I had a doozy of a panic attack on the last Friday in Oct17 - and I hadn’t had one for 14 years, so I ended up in Emergency, because I needed to check it wasn’t a heart attack (due to being over 60yo now). See, I’ve got bad stuff happening at work, and I was pushing it down and not dealing with it. As someone who lives with anxiety/PTSD and depression, I failed to take notice of the warnings - found myself in “yikes” territory.

I can heartily recommend a visit to the GP and a referral to someone who can help with the issues that trigger the panic. It is work, and can feel unpleasant, but it is really worth doing. It’s horrible when you get to the point of wondering if “something” is going to cause a severe panic attack. If you haven’t read it, there’s a great book called “Living with IT - A Survivor’s Guide to Panic Attacks” by Bev Aisbett - it’s a great primer on panic/anxiety, written cartoon style and very easy to read/understand.

I hope you’re feeling more comfortable, all the best, cheers M 🙂

[Mathy]

Edit, it was Paul that I should have mentioned, not Croix, sorry for the confusion, cheers M 🙂

[Noso]

Cheers for the comment it was a big help!

In regards to seeing a gp, I don't usually go to the doctors, but I do talk to mum a lot as she has anxiety as well and has had it a lot longer so she really understands what I go through, so I find talking to her very calming, actually talking to her over the phone today is what probably settled me down the most.

[blondguy]

Hi Kieran

Thanks heaps for posting back 🙂

You have a great mum!! I am around your mums age and understand what you are going through....Its a very very hard place to be in where anxiety is concerned.

You have created a really good thread here as its an important topic that so many people suffer from. I hope you can feel comfortable posting back when/if you feel like doing so!

Mathy just posted above about having a bad anxiety attack....(here for you Mathy on any thread) as he is going through the same as we are Kieran.

I really hope you can stick around the forums 🙂

You are not alone here at all

My Best

Paul

[Cherrystarchild]

Hi Keiran

Kinda feels like every muscle in Ur body has contracted and the longer it holds the more exhaustion U feel after? From what I understand Ur body is confused between fight or flight. I take a med developed in the 50"s for stage fright that slows Ur heart rate as that was my first sign. The only other thing I do is act like an idiot (in my own living room) and flap about. Yup sounds crazy....not lost on me

[blondguy]

Hi Kieran....(sorry to interrupt your thread)

Cherrystarchild......thankyou for posting!....I really hope you can stick around the forums.....Good1 🙂

Paul