So, what causes panic attacks? Stressors trigger certain people who are susceptive to panic attacks, while others are free from them. What are your thoughts on panic attacks? Is it because you can’t handle emotional overload? I think I became that way when I was very young with all the bullying and emotional abuse that I took.

The worst is having a panic attack in public. You pray it never happens to you, but it does. Anything can trigger them. Just you being around people can trigger them. Hell, just the THOUGHT of being around people scares me, but I force myself into those situations. I don’t want to be a hermit the rest of my life. I want to experience life, not hide from it.

Overstimulation Panic Attack

Overstimulation during a panic attack is when there is an excessive amount of physical or emotional arousal. Many people experience symptoms of panic attacks as an overwhelming flood of physical sensations, such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating, difficulty breathing, and feelings of disorientation and dread. These symptoms of overstimulation may be brought about by a variety of triggers, including environmental and internal factors, such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, or even certain medications. These triggers can lead to increased levels of anxiety and excessive arousal of the sympathetic nervous system, which can cause a panic attack.

   Panic Attack From Caffeine

For individuals with a higher sensitivity to caffeine or those with panic disorder or anxiety disorders, caffeine can trigger the onset of a panic attack or cause a worsening of panic symptoms.

Furthermore, caffeine has a half-life of about six hours, which means that it remains in the body and affects the nervous system even long after it is consumed. Excessive consumption of caffeine throughout the day can add up and make an individual hyper-aroused and shaky, leading to panic attacks.

Despite everybody else, I feel like I don’t have any problems with anxiety and caffeine (now). Since I cut way back, some of my symptoms are gone. My nervousness with my daily life has been drastically cut in half (or more so).

   Panic Attacks Around a Certain Person

It’s possible to experience panic attacks around a certain person or in specific situations. Panic attacks can be triggered by a range of factors, including specific situations, events, or people. A person may experience panic attacks around a specific person due to a variety of reasons, such as a fear of being judged, criticized, or rejected. The person may have had a negative experience with that individual in the past that contributed to their anxiety and fear. Alternatively, a person may have social anxiety disorder that leads to panic attacks in social situations.

Panic Attack Physical Symptoms

Panic attacks are characterized by a sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within a few minutes. The physical symptoms of panic attacks can vary from person to person. Here are some of the symptoms:

   Panic Attack Fatigue

An individual may experience a surge of physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sweating, chest discomfort, feeling weak or faint, and muscle tension.

These symptoms often leave the affected person feeling exhausted, both emotionally and physically, after the attack subsides. Moreover, the worry of having another episode of panic attack can lead to anxiety and constant feeling of tiredness. Chronic anxiety can interfere with restful sleep, making the affected person feel more tired even after having an adequate amount of sleep.

At any rate, I don’t sleep good at night because I don’t sleep good at night. Although, after a panic attack, you do want to sleep. It’s partially because you don’t want to deal with the anxiety anymore. Make it go away! And so it shall be, the anxiety has left for a little bit.

   Panic Attack Can't Move

During a panic attack, it is common for individuals to experience a range of physical symptoms, including a sensation of being unable to move. This can occur due to a couple of reasons: muscle tension and feeling trapped cause a sense of feeling trapped or restricted. Additionally, some individuals may experience a brief period of freezing or immobility during a panic attack. This can occur due to the body’s natural response to perceived threat in the environment.

I was unable to move on my last suicide attempt. Although, I could hear everything that was going on around me, but couldn’t see. I think I was in a state of shock because of what happened. If you ever think about ending your life, don’t. Life is so gratifying when you live it, then when you try to end it. I know, everybody thinks they know what you’re going through, no they don’t. Unless they filled your shoes when you weren’t looking, they have no clue. They don’t know what it’s like to not wanting to exist anymore, period. The anxiety fueled that fateful day. I felt like I was loosing everything (including my sanity). But, luckily it wasn’t my time yet. I say luckily with gratefulness because I am truly grateful that maybe I can convince someone else not to go through with it. It’s not worth it. I lost everything and the person that I cared about the most.

   Heart Panic Attack

During a panic attack, it can significantly affect the heart. Panic attacks are characterized by an intense and sudden surge of fear, which triggers the body’s “fight or flight” response. This can cause a range of physiological symptoms, including the following effects on the heart: accelerated heart rate, increased blood pressure, changes in heart rhythm and finally, chest discomfort. These effects on the heart during a panic attack are typically temporary and subside as the panic attack dissipates.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the ER because of chest pains. I had a blood clot in one of my lungs that my doctor missed for several years, so he is extra cautious when listening to my chest. Every once in a while, I get chest pains, but I’m not quick to think right away that it is a heart attack. Usually, it goes away after a minute or so.

   Panic Attack Trembling

A common physical symptom during a panic attack, is trembling. Trembling or shaking during a panic attack is normally temporary and usually begins to subside as the panic attack dissipates. However, if you experience frequent or severe trembling or shaking during a panic attack, it’s important to speak with a mental health professional or healthcare provider to identify the underlying cause and develop an effective treatment plan. I never noticed the trembling (if evident). At the same time, I was more concerned with the “I can’t breath” symptom. Oh, and the chest pains accompanying that. How do you tell a panic attack from a heart attack?

Panic Control Treatment

Panic control treatment (PCT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is designed to help individuals who experience panic attacks learn to manage and overcome their symptoms. PCT typically involves several key components:

Psychoeducation: The therapist provides information about the nature of panic attacks, including their causes, symptoms, and the physical sensations that can be experienced during an attack.

Breathing retraining: Breathing retraining exercises teach individuals how to control their breathing, slow their breathing rate, and reduce the risk of hyperventilation.

Cognitive restructuring: PCT helps individuals identify and challenge negative or catastrophic thoughts that can trigger or worsen a panic attack.

Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy gradually exposes individuals to situations or stimuli that trigger panic attacks in a safe and controlled setting.

Relaxation training: Learning relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery, can help individuals manage their anxiety and reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.

Panic Attack Reddit

Panic attack Reddit refers to discussion forums and communities on the social media platform Reddit where individuals can share their experiences and seek support related to panic attacks. These forums typically provide a safe and supportive space for people to share their stories, ask questions, and connect with others who have experienced similar symptoms. I enjoy going on Reddit and putting my two cents worth of information for everybody to see. You never know when you might help someone in the same situation as you.

Conclusion

Yes, it feels like you’re dying when you have a panic attack. You can’t get the air in and out of your lungs for a few, long seconds. I think the longest panic attack I’ve ever had lasted half a day. I’m not kidding! The stressor was so bad that I didn’t know if I was coming or going. Nowadays, I only have short ones because I’ve learned to deal with them better. And, of course, I’m on medication. I think I’m finally on the right meds to help deal with all the diagnoses (don’t get me started). I have a pet peeve with diagnoses (I call them labels). Anyway, I feel like I’m finally on the right path to dealing with those labels. So, I’ve hoped you learned a little from this post. Until next time…

Articles

-Panic Disorder

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/panic-disorder/

-What To Know About Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8872

-13 Ways To Stop A Panic Attack

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-a-panic-attack

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice – Unstoppable

“You’re never alone!”