Symptoms of a panic attack often include dizziness, tightness in chest, sweating and difficulty breathing. When this happens on a frequent basis, it’s called a panic disorder but otherwise is considered an isolated incident.
Of course it could also be a heart attack so don’t be afraid to get to a doctors if you’re in actual pain.
There are medications available to help with panic and/or anxiety but cognitive behavior therapy is sometimes recommended. (More information at Psychology Today)
This seems like a sensible long-term plan because then you can work on changing both your thoughts and your behavior to help deal with the panic attacks so that they will eventually go away.
Both cognitive and behavior therapy are my favorite choices because they deal with the present and give you a sense of empowerment over your thoughts and your actions. Psychotherapy might be helpful with some who need to get in touch with their past or memories but I prefer to try to stay focused on what can be done now.
I can sort of understand how panic disorders can grow because they usually start with one particular thing but then lead to others.
As an example, years ago a dog snarled and lunged at me and its owner said that he never acted that way before. I ended up taking this to heart. While intellectually I knew it didn’t make sense, I was afraid to walk on the same side a dog was on for months after that.
If I did not get over that, I may have eventually avoided sidewalks and then going out altogether. What I did the first time was hold my breath and walked past stiff as a board, and the next time it was a little better and by the third I was all right.
I don’t mean to downplay an actual panic disorder and I’m sure it would be more challenging but that’s the closest thing I could think of that I experienced.
For more information or to seek support or help see:
Symptoms of a panic attack often include dizziness, tightness in chest, sweating and difficulty breathing. When this happens on a frequent basis, it’s called a panic disorder but otherwise is considered an isolated incident.
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