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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
How do I know if I'm really having a panic attack or if I'm just freaking out?
★ This question about Panic Attacks was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Jennifer Fritz, LMSW, PhD

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

Day to day life can be stressful and overwhelming and my strength is assisting my clients in a supportive, empowering and practical manner.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
December 27th, 2015 8:18pm
A panic attack will generally be very symptomatic. You will get sweats. Loss of breath. A choking feeling and light-headedness. You may also feel like you're floating and cold.
Anonymous
December 30th, 2015 12:11pm
When you have a panic attack your breathing goes a lot faster, as well as your heart beat. You have the feeling that you've just run a mile and you're really overthinking thigns
meboysen
December 31st, 2015 8:55pm
Panic attacks are much, much different than simply freaking out. Panic attacks can make you out of control. They make you feel nauseous and make it hard to breathe or think. Often times, panic attacks can be reoccurring as well.
TinyMermaid
January 2nd, 2016 12:40am
I believe the difference is basically on the fact that not only the feelings are very very extreme, but also affects your physical state.
Anonymous
January 10th, 2016 11:10am
If it is real panic attack you wont have the chance ore time to think about it. You will realise it when you are getting better but in the situation when the attack happens there will be nothing in your head besides imense panic.

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