Panic Attack? How to manage?

Posted by sultanvr @sultanvr, Apr 9, 2025

Hello,
I recently, last handful of months have not felt well on and off. Adrenaline burst, blood pressure sometimes going up, heart beating fast, feeling light headed.

Went to doctor. She checked my heart rate, blood pressure, listened to things, said they were all normal, then asked about stress.

I shared that I had some heavy stresses. She immediately wrote off my complaints telling me to make sure I am eating correctly, work on controlling your stress, no need to rerun tests.

I left feeling doubtful and still worried. I called back and asked if we could rerun tests from January for my peace of mind. The answer was no, see someone for your stress and maybe you aren't getting enough sleep, how about a referral to a sleep study?

Long story to ask my questions...does panic attacks just start out of the blue?

Is there recommendations from anyone on how to stop it immediately?

It hits and then it escalates as I start to worry am I having a medical emergency.

I have been trying to breathe deeply and focus on something else, but it isn't being very effective.

Suggestions would be welcomed.

I needed to sign out of work today because of it.

Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 24 8:06am

In reply to @lma84 "@ymca49 Thank you. Sorry I did add another comment/question, but it didn't save under here." + (show)

@lma84 - please do repost whatever did not save, if it's something important to you.

How are you doing today?

jordania | @jordania | Mar 28 7:57pm

In reply to @lma84 "I suffer from anxiety, and I had a panic attack on Wed night (so 2 nights..." + (show)

I understand the feeling of anxiety, I get stuck too in my head, reading walking helps but I wish having someone to talk to helps . I totally understand you ❤️❤️

corliss53 | @corliss53 | Mar 29 1:44am

In reply to @lma84 "I suffer from anxiety, and I had a panic attack on Wed night (so 2 nights..." + (show)

I have been experiencing panic attacks when I wake I have tried to evaluate what is bringing this on but I can't think of anything..I have been off my antidepressants for a month my psychologist suggested I go back on meds before it leads to depression I just worry about side effects

ashleyharris728 | @ashleyharris728 | Mar 29 8:18am

In reply to @corliss53 "I have been experiencing panic attacks when I wake I have tried to evaluate what is..." + (show)

@corliss53 I’m sorry to hear you are experiencing panic attacks, not an easy way to start your day.
I wonder if your antidepressant also had some anti-anxiety effects, which are popping up since you stopped your med?
I do wonder if it would be worth it to go back on the antidepressant and see if the anxiety goes away. It is totally understandable that you would worry about side effects. Are there any in particular that bother you?

I always say “anxiety doesn’t even need a reason” because, well, sometimes we just get anxiety! No underlying reason… it just happens. It stinks but it’s still manageable luckily. The book “Don’t Panic” by Reid Wilson PhD is good. I found the advice kind of annoying (because I don’t want to follow it, haha) but effective.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 29 10:47am

In reply to @corliss53 "I have been experiencing panic attacks when I wake I have tried to evaluate what is..." + (show)

@corliss53 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! As @ashleyharris728 mentioned, your previous antidepressant might have had anti-anxiety factor. My question is what prompted the stop in medication? Were you warned there might be aftereffects and offered a timetable to titrate off of it?

One thing to try, that might help you, is to write first thing in the morning. Write that panic attack a letter, asking "why" and how it makes you feel. Then listen for any response and write that down. It's like you are having a conversation with the situation. Perhaps as you have come off the antidepressant, there are other factors in your life that are playing into everything.

Be gentle on yourself. Eat healthy, exercise moderately, avoid stress where possible. Connect with those you care about, and who care for you. Make time for hobbies or pastimes you enjoy. Indulge in learning something new. Does any of this sound doable for you?
Ginger

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 29 11:12am

In reply to @jordania "I understand the feeling of anxiety, I get stuck too in my head, reading walking helps..." + (show)

@jordania Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Exercise is a wonderful way to get the endorphins moving. Combining it with talking to others and looking for the positives, are all bound to help you, in my humble opinion.

Getting stuck in your head can be frustrating! How about writing out your thoughts in a journal, that you can simply destroy, or go back and refer to? Does that sound doable to you?
Ginger

jbwhiskeyleehapp | @jbwhiskeyleehapp | Mar 30 7:12am

In reply to @ashleyharris728 "@corliss53 I’m sorry to hear you are experiencing panic attacks, not an easy way to start..." + (show)

@ashleyharris728 my pa ic attacks were cured through medication. Im not certain what anti depressants yu are on but there are so many. I found one that gave me no sude effects at all. You may want to research it with your dictor as with so many options today you shoukdnt really have to suffer.

mesusan | @mesusan | Mar 31 5:45am

In reply to @lma84 "I suffer from anxiety, and I had a panic attack on Wed night (so 2 nights..." + (show)

I have them also. Mine never last to long. The time I’m going through them is horrible. It’s like I’m smothering and chest pains, crying. It’s just awful. I feel like it’s all over for me. At my age (71) it may be sooner than later. Please pray for me and I’ll pray for you! ❤️

sallyo420 | @sallyo420 | Apr 4 3:03pm

In reply to @lma84 "I suffer from anxiety, and I had a panic attack on Wed night (so 2 nights..." + (show)

I had panic attacks in my 20's. These are coming from unconscious trauma, abuse and pain you pushed down because you couldn't handle it at the time. It is often from childhood. Jung said that the trauma, pain and abuse we don't deal with in our unconscious will become our fate. The abuse you pushed down will never go away and will surface in strange ways like panic attacks, addictions, etc. Panic attacks are the symptom not the disease. You will need to go to therapy or support groups and work to uncover the unconscious trauma and bring it to your consciousness. There is no medication that will cure it. It will just help to keep it pushed down. You need to do the work if you want the panic attacks to end. Our unconscious runs 98% of who we are. Our conscious thoughts are mostly an illusion. You pushed the feelings down, probably as a child, for survival. That is not necessary now but your unconscious doesn't know this defense mechanism is not needed anymore.

ebonybl | @ebonybl | Apr 6 3:32pm

Hi everyone, I'm a 25 y/o female from the UK dealing with multiple panic attacks a day. I've trialled and errored a number of different medication and a number of grounding techniques. I need additional support as this is not getting any better or any easier. They want to take me off Diazapam and put me on Promethazine which I've been on before and it made me worse. Any suggestions or advice is welcome. I'm getting to the point where I'm having intrusive thoughts and I've already spent 1 week away from my 4 y.o at a psych facility