how long can panic attack symptoms last

cmb123 · Newbie User Joined: Mar 18, 2008 Posts: 2

I was driving home about a week ago and had a panic attack, called 911 and was driven to the er. It was the first time that I had one and really knew nothing about them previously so was completely freaking out. Ever since I have still felt as if I wasn't breathing correctly (like my throat is closed up), and have had pains and tightness in my chest. I was just wondering if this was normal because I have talked to a few doctors and they said I was fine.

jessica41481 · Newbie User Joined: Mar 06, 2008 Posts: 31

hi there. i had my first panic attack about two weeks ago, ever since then i would get the same symptoms as you. but sometimes if i would let my fears get the best of me, i would start to shake. sometimes even twitch in my sleep lol. and i would wake up feeling like garbage. i think the whole thing with this, is that once you have your first panic attack, you automatically have that fear.

i noticed that it only happens when im afraid of something. usually its because i now think i am dying becuase my first panic attack was scarey as heck. so i think i just need to jam that out of my head. if you read my previous post, maybe it would help. i could be wrong, but at least with me, i think if it has lasted this long, its because i now have this phobia and the anxiety only shows up with i think of it.

StaciaBaby · Newbie User Joined: Mar 03, 2008 Posts: 18

These are all symptoms of anxiety and they are pretty much in your head. There have been many of nights when I felt like I wasn't breathing and couldn't breath but if we wasnt breathing like we should or not breathing then we would die real soon. And the chest pain is normal. I dont get it very often. Thank God because the times I did, it started my panic attacks because I started fearing that I might have a heart attack or something. I read a lot about the chest pains and some people describe it as an elephant sitting on your chest. You will be okay. Try and take you mind off of it and realize that it's part of the anxiety. Anxiety is always out to trick you an dmake you think that things are wrong when they are not. Of chorus run it by your doctor and if he thinks you are okay. Trust it. I am sorry you have experienced this. I know it can be terribly frightning. I started my panic attacks last Feb. and I still have them sometimes but I am and have been trying to defeat this mess. I have come a long way but I wont give up. You will be okay just try and beat this too.

jessica41481 · Newbie User Joined: Mar 06, 2008 Posts: 31

im wondering that maybe if we live our days as if they are normal, would it turn the anxious switch off? i was also wondering about the linden method. it was talking about that anxious switch in our brains getting turned on and stuck, which is why we are going through this. so im wondering, how to do you turn that off?

well i wotn stop, until i learn! i also recently learend not to pay attention to your symptoms that it only makes it worse. i agree with this. i woke up with body aches today and like cramping in my fingers, so i forced myself to not think about it and let it depress me and it went away. its all in our minds!

cmb123 · Newbie User Joined: Mar 18, 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks so much stacia and jessica. I have realized part of it was in my head a few days ago, but at the same time realizing that and fixing it are two entirely different things. And I have to say that after reading some things on here especially your first post jessica that I started to feel a little less of the symptoms as opposed to when I first posted the question. Thanks again!

jessica41481 · Newbie User Joined: Mar 06, 2008 Posts: 31

glad i could help. im still learning. tonight i almost had an attack after watching my mother have an asthma attack. so after helping her breathe again, i laid on the couch and took deep breaths and watched my stomach fill up with air. and then concentrated on the cooking channel and i was fine lolol. now if i could only figure out how to get a good nights sleep!