How do I know if I'm really having a panic attack or if I'm just freaking out?
245 Answers
Last Updated: 11/13/2017 at 12:56pm
★ This question about Panic Attacks was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
June 19th, 2015 7:34am
Sometimes it is hard to differentiate, either way what you are feeling is very real and you need to assess your surroundings and try to breathe deeply and calmly. Try to focus on what you hear, smell or feel, this intense focus on your senses should help you into a tranquil state so that you may feel more at ease and be able to reflect on what happened.
From my personal experience there are obvious physical signs that happen. Everyone is different but here are some common ones, very fast heart palpitations, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, tremors, can't think straight. Basically you feel like your going to have a heart attack and die.
Anonymous
June 10th, 2016 11:56am
Panic attack is a response of your organism to some situation that might not look dangerous but still your brain thinks it is. You have an intense feeling of fear that you cannot control unless you refrain from this exact situation.
having a panic attack can be a really scary thing for anyone of any age, and if you are having a panic attack for the first time, you may believe you are having a heart attack. A panic attack can be triggered by many reasons such as stress, worrying about to much and being scared of something, you may find your self, checking your heart rate more than often, hyperventilating, struggling to breath and talk.
When you're having a panic attack, it feels like you can't breathe. Your heart rate gets high and you might start shaking or getting sweaty. It usually lasts longer than just freaking out and you can't even stand, you need to lay down and it impairs your normal life.
If you're freaking out then you might be having a panic attack, either way it is not a good thing. When it comes to this you should sit down and try to breathe calmly and control yourself, it helps. I know this from personal experience!
Anonymous
June 20th, 2015 7:58am
Usually when experiencing a panic attack you get shortness of breath and feel like you're in danger, but this can be prevented by trying to convince yourself that shortness of breath isn't harmful and you're going to be ok.
they're are specific symptoms to recognize if your having a panic attack such as sweaty palms, fast heart rate, uncontrollable heavy breathing, and shaking, You can also research the difference on different medical websites who can give you more of an insight.
Panic attacks often have physical manifestations such as a tightness in your chest or throat. For some, it can feel very much like a heart attack.
Anonymous
April 2nd, 2016 2:35am
Panic attacks come with almost no triggers and are identified by increased heart rate, dizziness, nausea, and increased breathing rate. Freaking out happens when there is a reason to panic, and will go away along with the problem.
Anonymous
March 25th, 2016 2:27pm
A panic attack is when you feel your heart pounding and the room feels like it is spinning. When you are freaking out you may be jumpy, worried and nervous. A panic attack may cause your breathing to be small and choppy. I had many panic attacks growing up, this is what I remember feeling
I think if your having physical symptoms like hypervenilating,racing heart,sweating,nausea or g.i. symptoms,on top of worry,panic,fear,it is probably a panic attack and not just freaking out.
Panic attacks can come in different forms. For example: OCD like behaiviors, random spouts of rage, fast talking, sputtering words, not talking at all, zoning out, or (the most common) hyperventilating. Freaking out could be caused by one thing that makes you nervous.
It could be both but I am not a doctor or a professional but if you have any problems with pain see a doctor or need someone to talk to talk to one of us.
Symptoms of panic attacks include but are not limited to elevated heart rate, out of the ordinary behavior, poor decision making, mental cloudiness, unexplained anger, changes in eyesight, and stomach aches.
Anonymous
March 12th, 2016 11:52pm
A panic attack has much more physical symptoms than just freaking out. Shakiness, shortness of breath, racing heart, chest pain, choking feeling.. etc.
Anonymous
January 29th, 2016 5:45am
they're usually the same. panic attacks are much more intense though.
it doesn't matter how you call/ describe them, you should address the cause of your problems.
remember that fear doesn't exist, it's just a product of your imagination
Anonymous
June 19th, 2015 2:25am
Panic attacks make no sense/you cry/shake uncontrollably/feel insane/and like you have to run away.
Anonymous
January 13th, 2016 7:51pm
Panic attacks usually leave you short of breath gasping. you struggle to think and can even pass out.
To me, they are the same thing. Freaking out and panic are very similar. When you feel like you aren't in control of your feelings or emotions, you are most likely having a panic attack. Try to breathe and regain focus.
usually that is a panic attack and I just suggesting distracting yourself. it's a pain I know.......
Anonymous
June 18th, 2015 10:37pm
If you're having a panic attack you might feel chest pain or discomfort,shortness of breath,the feeling of choking and you might feel like you're detached from your surroundings and your heart racing.
Panic attacks usually give you physical symptoms and freaking out seems a bit normal, panic attack are less normal.
Panic attacks come with a lot of physical symptoms which are very specific, such as racing heart, sweaty palms, shortness of breath, feeling faint. I think when you have a panic attack you know it.
in the moment its hard to tell however you should calm yourself down like you would a panic attack
Your heart starts racing, you get hot flashes, dizzy/feeling faint, sometimes body aches. I usually get pains in my rib area. Sometimes you feel like or start crying without any warning. You'll feel like so many thoughts hit you at once.
Anonymous
February 11th, 2016 2:03am
Either way you should try to breath and work on mindfulness. Find a way to a distract your self from the problem.
When you have a panic attack, the world starts closing in on you. The most important thing in both circumstances, is to take a breath, close your eyes and regulate your oxygen intake. Then try to destress, through activities during the day.
I see freaking out as a level of panic attack, and for that I don't see a difference. Usually a "freak out" comes before a full blown panic attack, and I can usually curb that by focusing on breathing and thinking through what is causing the "freak out." If I can't and it escalates, then I strictly focus on bringing myself back to center, then I tackle the trigger.
When you have a panic attack you feel you can't breathe. It seems like your having a heart attack, but your not. Well just freaking out is super anxiety, and feeling like things are out your control.
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