Panic attacks

[Suzie_c]

Hi there, I have been diagnosed with acute stress reaction and anxiety. The last 2 mornings I have woken up with anxiety and this morning a full blown panic attack it felt like I was having a heart attack.. i am seeing a doctor today however I just want to know if this is normal in this condition.. had a nervous breakdown 2 weeks ago but have been calm the last 2 days so don’t understand why the morning panic attack.

[PamelaR]

Hi Suzie and welcome to our community

Anxiety can affect people in different ways. I have heard some say it feels like having a heart attack. It is good though you are going to see your doctor today! It's best for them to diagnose what's happening.

My anxiety attacks are sparked by triggers. This can be a loud noise, a fright by someone walking behind me quietly, things people say. And at times it's just how I think about things. It's the stories I tell myself and at times the dreams I may have before waking.

Hopefully your doctor is referring you to a health professional, e.g. psychologist, counsellor who can help further.

In the meantime, feel free to browse our forums (if you haven't already) and join in discussions that are similar to your situation. If you want, do a search using the search field at the top of our page and enter keywords, e.g.

• anxiety symptoms
• self help tips for managing anxiety

You're not alone Suzie. Keep reaching out if and when you want to.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Suzie c,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for reaching out.

Everything that you've described in your post is completely normal. Panic attacks can often look and feel a lot like heart attacks - which can cause more anxiety. But they are very different and not dangerous.

Often when we think of panic attacks we think of a trigger, like PamelaR said - a loud noise, hearing something, etc. But sometimes in panic attacks it's not like that. In anxiety, we can often have a rush of cortisol (a stress hormone), and as that builds up it makes us very vulnerable to a panic attack. So even though your nervous breakdown was two weeks ago, and you may feel fine - your body/mind is still reeling and trying to cope from all of that stress. Just a thought?

Hope this post is helpful; feel free to post back or have a browse on the threads to get some extra support or information.

[romantic_thi3f]

P.S.

I also wrote a post a while ago explaining what happens when we get a panic attack, and why it can feel so similar to a heart attack. Maybe if you have a read it might help too -

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/what-happens-when-we-get-anxiety--(info-thread)#qrnv-XHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A