thanks for your kind words everyone, i feel really happy and positive right now! really feel i'm on the right track to getting better, and i'm so determined to do this, i've suprised myself!
my "boyfriend"...still unsure about that....is really trying to learn about it too, so he can help me...
if i'm feeling this good already, i'm looking forward to the future

Hope you feel better!

What exactly are the 'symptoms' of a panic attack? I'm trying to figure out if I've had them or not - basically once in a blue moon (cam't remember the last time it happened) my chest kind of seizes up and I can't seem to breathe for a few moments. Does that sound like the same thing?

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by Alan
Hope you feel better!

What exactly are the 'symptoms' of a panic attack? I'm trying to figure out if I've had them or not - basically once in a blue moon (cam't remember the last time it happened) my chest kind of seizes up and I can't seem to breathe for a few moments. Does that sound like the same thing?

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For me, my panic attacks is getting stressed, then crying, then hyperventerlating from problems.

Well, I consulted my own personal team of highly knowledgable savants (read: Google ) and I got this:

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Common 'Symptoms' of Panic/Anxiety Attacks:
1. Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations
2. Sweating
3. Shaking visibly or inside
4. Choking sensations or lump in throat
5. Smothering or shortness of breath sensations
6. Chest pain or discomfort
7. Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
8. Dizziness or unsteadiness
10. Feeling light-headed
11. Derealisation (feeling unreal or dreamy)
12. Depersonalisation (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
13. Fear of losing control or going crazy
14. Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body
15. Chills or hot flushes
16. Skin losing colour
17. Blushing or skin blotches
18. Urgently needing to urinate or defecate

Experiencing different or more panic attack symptoms than are listed above does not mean that your condition is worse or different or that you are suffering from another un-diagnosed condition. Diagnosis of anxiety disorders is very accurate so chances are you ARE suffering from an anxiety disorder. Some people have anxiety disorder but never suffer from panic attack symptoms.

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Well, what I thought were panic attacks weren't on there per se (doesn't necessarily mean they're not, mind) but ones that are listed, I have experienced - and quite a few of them too! ("Going crazy", heh heh... ) Oo-er!

You should consult you're doctor. Remember stuff on google isn't always reliable. I got pins and needles in my legs, hands and toes. Also the need to open the windows and suck in air from outside and I panicked cos I couldn't take in enough air, which made my body strain. The more I panicked, the less air I got. I didn't even know what was happening until I called the NHS helpline. And they asked me loads of questions like was I having pins and needles etc.

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Common 'Symptoms' of Panic/Anxiety Attacks:
... snip ...
12. Depersonalisation (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
13. Fear of losing control or going crazy
... snip ...

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It's those two that are the main feature of my panic attacks, and believe me they are very unpleasant.

And #13 isn't nice when you're driving.

Out of interest Alan, what were the symptoms you thought were panic attacks that weren't listed?

(Edited by Funky Monkey 07/04/2005 18:42)

My entire chest seizing up - can't tell what my heartbeat's like, but I can't breathe for a few moments until it stops.

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by Alan
My entire chest seizing up - can't tell what my heartbeat's like, but I can't breathe for a few moments until it stops.

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I get the "not being able to breathe" thing very briefly occasionally, it's just a sudden jolt, and I try to breathe and can't, then I panic and take a sudden deep gulp in, usually followed by me kind of banging my chest (like that's gonna do anything), and then it's over. It doesn't happen that often. The general panic thing happens quite often though now and i'm finding it quite difficult. It happened today while talking to my boss (not for the first time). I dont freak out, I usually just suddenly go quiet and inside i'm fighting it like mad trying to get myself back under control.

I also had a near one when I was doing a presentation to 30 people. I had to provide the same presentation again the day after and the day after that, and I bailed out of it, using my recent breakup as an excuse as why I felt I couldn't do it. I really should go and see my doctor about it.

Seems to me like quite a few of us are suffering from this problem, maybe we should set up some sort of support group

(Edited by Funky Monkey 08/04/2005 21:45)