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What are the main symptoms of panic attacks?

313 Answers
Last Updated: 07/19/2023 at 3:11pm
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Top Rated Answers
Calmforest42
February 22nd, 2019 10:44pm
Panic attacks can take different forms in different people, and it's important to recognize that what constitutes a panic attack might not look the same in everyone. It can look like hyperventilating, shaking, sweating, fast breathing. Some people experience flashbacks to traumatic events, or are triggered by certain things or people that remind them of previous trauma. Panic attacks can also be triggered by high anxiety levels. Some people experience panic attacks as increased levels of aggression or defensiveness towards others, or it may feel more like depression. The attacks usually are described as intensely emotional, scary, and feeling like they may last forever. Others describe the attacks as bringing a feeling of doom, or impending death. These are all very serious and should be treated as seriously as seriously as a physical health ailment. Mental health is extremely important.
Anonymous
January 27th, 2019 4:20am
Based on my personal experiences (either by witnessing or having one myself) - Syptoms of panic attacks may/can vary depending on situations and individuals own fears, triggers, etc... Some may include, but are not limited to; Finding it hard to breathe and or quickness of breaths/shallow breathing, increased heart rate, dizziness, nausea, stomach ache and/or stomach knot, numbers and/or tingling in hands and/or feet, overwhelming feeling of dread and/or confusion, tightness of the chest, feeling the need to run away/"flight" (part of the fight or flight feeling), lack of social acceptance (feeling the desperate need to get out of public and/or social setting immediately)
SaraHoffman
December 6th, 2018 11:42pm
It is different from everyone but the typical symptoms are: "Racing" heart. Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy. Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers. Sense of terror, or impending doom or death. Feeling sweaty or having chills. Chest pains. Breathing difficulties. Feeling a loss of control.
HappyCycologist
December 2nd, 2018 10:29am
panic attacks is a form a anxiety disorder which mostly occurs without a sign and you are under stress. you feel your body incomfortable, you begin to breathe heavily, feel your heart beats faster, begin sweating, shivering, your mind only thinks about catastrophic ideas, you believe you would die oder get an heart attack. you dont understand your body, why is he so different to normal situations. something you get an blackout, you can not thing clear anymore. you have an tunnel-view. only see the possible hazardous facts and dangers. it is a vicious circle, every thing gets more extreme, until you leave maybe the situation or fainted away...
Opalitebalance
November 17th, 2018 3:06am
An individual may feel as though there chest is tight, breathing becomes difficult, shaking of the body may occur and it may be difficult to focus and concentrate on your surroundings. Vision may become blurred due to restriction of oxygen to the brain and individuals may feel dizzy as a result to this, often people feel sick or nauseous during or after a panic attack! Feeling overwhelmed can come alongside this and often a burst of emotions can occur, some may feel anger or sadness resulting in tears, everyone can experience panic attacks differently, for example people may waken in the middle of the night having a panic attack and not know what it is, often thinking it was a nightmare!
delicatdreamer16
November 15th, 2018 6:56pm
The main symptoms are a tight feeling in your chest, shortness of breath, feeling of being trapped, not being able to focus, and hyperventilation. Some people may also have shaking in their hands and/or legs. Afterward, some people may not know where they are or they may not remember what happened before, during, or after the panic attack. During them, it's important that you sit down because of a feeling of lightheadedness and hyperventilation may make some people faint or feel like they are about to faint. If you are prone to panic attacks, talk to the people around you about what they should do in those moments to best support you.
Anonymous
November 4th, 2018 8:25pm
Confusion is usually the first symptom to show up. Your heart might start racing, you feel like you have to get out of whatever situation it is that is making you feel anxious. It's also very likely for you to start crying or to have tears in your eyes. Shaking, sweating, or even having trouble forming cohesive sentences are also symptoms that are quite common. When I have a panic attack, my heart beats really fast and I usually start crying. It's also possible for me to need to run away, often in the literal sense. I usually identify panic attacks afterwards.
MindfulBecca101
October 28th, 2018 1:10am
Panic attacks are tough and are different for person to person but based on my own experience here are some of the symptoms present in a panic attack: firstly increased heart rate of heart palpitations which is often followed by shortness of breath, sometimes it can be compared to an asthma attack. Other symptoms include shaking uncontrollably which can then lead on to dizziness and headaches. In some panic attacks, ya may experience some stomach or abdominal pain this is because you’re tending so much due to the panic attack. Some panic attacks may lead to dissociation and therefore you feel dazed and it’s an out of body experience.
PaintedLyrics
August 15th, 2018 3:09am
I'm not 100% sure what the most common symptoms are but from what I've seen and experienced many people experience sudden anxiety that makes them unable to move or they zone out. Shaky hands, shortness of breath, and headaches may also be a sign of anxiety.
rialistening
August 12th, 2018 8:03pm
Physical symptoms of panic attacks include dizziness, rapid breathing, high heart rate, hot or cold flashes and discomfort in the stomach or chest area. Panic attacks can cause feelings of confusion, distress, feeling that you are going to die, impending danger and can be very scary.
courageousSun35
August 12th, 2018 2:19am
Main symptoms of Panic attacks are heart racing, tingle or numbness in hands and feet, dizziness, difficulty breathing and feeling as though you’ve lost control.
Anonymous
August 10th, 2018 5:34am
Sweating, fast heart beat, being shaky, feeling panicky, sometimes even feeling nauseous, fast breathing
Anonymous
August 9th, 2018 6:29pm
Panic attack's main symptoms are: -Racing heartbeat or palpitations. -Nausea and dizziness. -Sweating. -Shaking. -Chest pain. -Depersonalization or derealization. -Fear that you might die or going crazy.
Anonymous
August 8th, 2018 1:56pm
You feel shortness of breath and you feel you are dieing when you are actually not You feel like you are running out of air and you feel like you are drowning when you are actually not
Anonymous
August 8th, 2018 11:35am
Palpitations, shortness of breath, cold clammy hands, hot flushes, sweaty, hands tremble, muscle weakness, lightheadedness, nausea, abdominal pain
phosphenerelief
August 2nd, 2018 9:18pm
physical symptoms: short of breath in absence of heavy exercise, fast heart beat, hot flushes, shakiness, perhaps lightheadedness and sweating. Mental symptoms: obsessive thinking, negative rumination, heightened attention to physical sensations e.g. breathing pace etc.
niceBeach7908
August 2nd, 2018 7:09pm
I’ve been having lots I go really dizzy find it hard to breathe feel sick get the shivers and my heart starts racing also my jaw and muscles go really tight so horrible having these 😪😪
PeachyKeenWV
April 15th, 2018 6:01pm
Mine are usually shallow breathing, sweating, shaking hands, and getting extremely light headed. I know that it can affect different people in different ways though
amazingFaith15
May 16th, 2018 6:57pm
Feeling like you can't get the air in so you take quick breaths which actually worsens it your heart beats really fast and you feel light headed.
belovedmoon
May 11th, 2018 7:22am
The experience differs from person to person, but you might sweat a lot, shiver, feel nausea, feel dizzy, start crying. Your heart might beat really fast, your chest can feel tight and you might find it hard to breathe. Some people say it feels like they are dying, others describe it as a feeling of losing control. It's definitely very intense and some people are unable to talk during a panic attack, which might make it hard to get help in the moment.
Anonymous
May 4th, 2018 4:03pm
Panic attacks have many symptoms. Like irregular breathing, feeling of your wind pipe close, blind spots, sweating, shaking of hands, feeling of a lung collapse
RayofSunshine25
May 3rd, 2018 4:40pm
Panic attacks can be different for people. However, common symptoms are increased heart rate, heavy breathing, and extreme anxiety. Some people may feel not connected to their physical location and shut down. They may be overwhelmed by something and feel the need to escape it.
Joyfulsmile
May 2nd, 2018 9:56am
Panic attack symptoms include: Shortness of breath or hyperventilation Heart palpitations or racing heart Chest pain or discomfort Trembling or shaking Choking feeling Feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings Sweating Nausea or upset stomach Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or faint Numbness or tingling sensations Hot or cold flashes Fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy
Anonymous
November 19th, 2014 12:25am
This site is easy to follow and states all the emotional and physical symptoms of a panic attack http://goo.gl/gvUnoG
courageousMelody30
April 1st, 2018 5:02pm
The main symptoms of a panic attack are- 1) Breaking into a cold sweat or having chills 2) Having breathing trouble 3) Feeling weak or faint 4) Heart Racing
Anonymous
March 2nd, 2018 9:40am
shortness of breath, accelerated heart, dizziness, sweating, hot or cold flashes, unable to focus,
Anonymous
March 4th, 2018 2:35am
The main symptoms of a panic attack is worrying about a situation or thought repeatedly, feeling like you have no where to go and if it doesn't go away it leads to fainting.
SupportiveSockMonkey
May 19th, 2018 10:45am
The main symptoms of a panic attack usually begin with over thinking, difficulty breathing, shaking, not being able to focus, sometimes sweating.
Anonymous
April 5th, 2018 3:05am
nausea, shaking, unable to focus, paranoia, lightheadedness, dizziness, tiredness, and possible headaches.
FelixLlyod
April 7th, 2018 9:47am
- Breathing becomes difficult - Problems are seen very hard to defeat - Feeling like there is no way to out