Those who have panic attacks, what were your symptoms and how do you deal?

Have you always had these symptoms or the like and it was called something else? I have been labeled and have labeled myself so many things trying to figure out what my deal is, among them, ADD, LD, Social Anxiety, Depression and plain old Anxiety. Anxiety does seem to run in my family a bit on my mothers side and my mother herself is a bit OCD and of a Hypochondriac, no more then a bit. I don't know if I've learned this disorder or if it is a biological thing. I've also recently found out that my biological father thinks he's bi-polar, see why I feel crazy.

I'm just sharing my story and feelings, I guess so that you will share yours, it helps to not feel so alone, I know I'm not but it feels that way at times, this is one of those times, lol.

Hello, Let me first say you are not alone and panic attacks do make you feel alone, that is normal. I have had panic disorder/attacks all my life, I am 45. I have had a number of symptoms depending on the level of my anxiety. I usally feel like I want to passout,I feel like can't take deep breaths, I may feel shaky, I can feel like I'm having a heart attack, at my worst I felt as though my stomach is burning, I think this is adrenalin caused from extreme anxiety. Panic attacks have symptoms that are universal to all who have them, then there are symptoms unique to you as an individual. Panic attacks are not the end, you can function and live a "normal" life. I take klonopin which is specifically for panic attacks, it works, along with therapy. I have learned to control attacks on my own, it takes alot of self control and knowing yourself and symptoms well. I now only take .05mg 1xday that is good for me. But, as I said you are an individual and what works for me may not work for you. Just realize that panic attacks are figments of our overactive imagination/over stimulated brains that have manifested themselves into physical symptoms. My point is: to not let your overactive imagination take control, you can stop a panic attack dead in it's tracks by knowing yourselve/symptoms, I do all the time This may take time, so don't lose hope. Stay strong, and realize what is the worse thing that can happen? You can control your thoughts with discipline and therefore control your panic attacks and physical symptoms. You are in my thoughts and prayers, God Bless!!

Don't worry about explaining yourself, we all have to find common ground sometimes.
I get panic attacks when I think of the past. I will purposely think to myself this was a week, month or year ago. I will write things down just to remember, and when I think back I will freeze up and my heart and breath will stop for a second. I just completely freeze.
It's not fun. I deal with it by telling myself to be happy and to keep the present in mind.
I mean they call it present for a reason, wink wink.

My symptoms are sweating palms fast heartbeat choking sensations overwhelming fear of dying dizzy spells nausea tingling in hands it usually peaks in about 15-20 min then i am exhausted but cant sleep

My claustrophobia gets worse as I get older. The big thing is to avoid things that give you panic attacks. When it's unavoidable, just excuse yourself from the situation - there's no reason to stay in a situation that makes you this uncomfortable. Your friends and family will understand.

Some people need medication for anxiety - that's not a bad or unusual thing as long as it's prescribed by your doctor and regulated. Tell your doctor about everything - in detail.

You might also want to take up something like yoga, singing lessions, or a martial art to help you control your breathing. In a panic attack, your mind is affecting the body, so learn how to control the body as much as possible.

Avoid too much caffeine if that can affect you.

And take comfort in that you're absolutely NOT alone!

I had panic attacks for about a year before we (as in my family, and my doctors and I) realized what they were. When I got frustrated or anxious, I would feel my heartbeat increase, my breathing faster, my palms sweaty, my mind racing. I got scared - it was like having a heart attack or something, and then I would start crying and the feeling of overwhelming loss of self-control came over me. I control it now with an anti-anxiety medication called Clonzipine.
I also have Bipolar and am being treated with Lithium for that. I am more depressive, but being and Insomniac (treated with small dosage of Serequel) I can get really manic. The Lithium is an excellent drug to take care of that.
The combination assists the OCD and Anorexia Nervosa - which through (self) therapy, spirituality and a coming sense of reality I have under control.
You probably think I am a nut! But no, I fell prey to these things due to genetics and family. Disorders that are luckily easy to treat.
I had a hard time when all this started coming out (seventh grade - ninth grade) but now a junior in high school, things are looking up. With no more panic attacks, controlled symptoms and a figure that itsn't a sickly stick, things are good.
Feel free to contact me through this Y!Answers thing (on the profile) if you have any questions about various disorders or medications. I know alot for my age and I have been helpful to others.
And in regards to your "I feel crazy" comment - everyone is, but having mental illness is not "crazy". We all have our quirks one way or another.
-Adelaide :)

I feel like everything is closing in and I can't breathe. My heart gets really fast and I feel like I am loosing control and don't know why.I get hot in the face also.I also have depression and I am disabled.My mom also had depression. My brother started them after a really traumatic ordeal and his are just like heart attacks. He has been in the hosp. with his! I started getting them when I had a succession of surgeries, some every 6 wks. I could smell alcohol and have one. Once I was watching tv and saw a gurney taking someone to surgery and noticed that I was breathing hard and getting shaky! I calmed myself down and was ok.Once I had to leave a bldg because I felt like it was suffocating me. I leaned against the bldg for a while to get my legs to stop shaking. I had been taking therapy for one of my surgeries. I was white as a sheet and scared most of them. Best wishes and I hope you get relief. I have learned to notice when mine are coming and can control them some but I always have my Zanax with me ,in case!

* The American Psychiatric Association's official Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) defines a panic attack as a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which 4 (or more) of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:

Palpitations, pounding heart, or fast heart rate

Sweating

Trembling and shaking

Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering

Feelings of choking

Chest pain or discomfort

Nausea or abdominal distress

Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint

Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)

Fear of losing control or going crazy

Fear of dying

Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)

Chills or hot flashes

* Some of these symptoms will most likely be present in a panic attack. The attacks can be so disabling that the person is unable to express to others what is happening to them. A doctor might also note various signs of panic: The person may appear terrified or shaky or be hyperventilating (deep, rapid breathing causing dizziness).

* Recent literature suggests that men and women may experience different symptoms during an attack. Women tend to experience a predominance of respiratory symptoms compared to men.

See a doctor to make sure it's not a heart attack.

I also went to the doctors thinking I was having a heart attack. The doctors ran so many tests on me. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days. That was scary, I hope I never have to go through that again.

Well the answer from swsebrownsug discribes all my symtoms, plus I have more. I just found out today after 15 years that my panic has caused me to vomit everyday (15 years) and now vomiting is a part of me, (A HABIT). Wow that really shocked me, And ofcourse don't cha know I have thought for the past year that I was dying because I vomited so much. I am here if you want to chat sometime.
email me.

its a long story but to make it simple if thats all poss. all you have to do is stay in the moment. that means when your doing somthing or with some one listin to what they are talking aboutttttttttttttttt dont let your mind wonder off to say waht if i get scared. i have been there and this works but takes a lot of practice. it will work keep thing of whatever your doing at the time. just keep busy . i would clean ifffffffffff i had to to keep in my routine of my normal life, get it back by doing ittttt. good luck