1. < Depression & Anxiety
Profile picture for sultanvr

Panic Attack?

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.

Profile picture for ajbaptiste52
ajbaptiste52 | @ajbaptiste52 | Apr 9 10:17pm
In reply to @ebonybl "Hi everyone, I'm a 25 y/o female from the UK dealing with multiple panic attacks a..." + (show)
Profile picture for ebonybl @ebonybl

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

Jump to this post

@ebonybl
Hi
For me when Im having anxiety or panic attacks, I breath deeply, or go outside for fresh air, also tell myself that I'm ok I'm ok this will pass, I take buspar and xanex if having a really bad time. I hope this helps.

REPLY
Profile picture for jc76
jc76 | @jc76 | Apr 11 5:47am
In reply to @rashida "@ebonybl have you tried diaphragmatic breathing? Once I learned the technique it became second nature for..." + (show)
Profile picture for rashida @rashida

@ebonybl have you tried diaphragmatic breathing? Once I learned the technique it became second nature for me, and I have not had an anxiety/panic attack in several years. I do not have to take any medication anymore, either.

Jump to this post

@rashida
Can you describe diaphragmatic breathing? I do what they call stomach breathing. Where you deep breathe in through your nose by lifting your stomach and then breath slowly for a longer period of time out your mouth.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for rashida
rashida | @rashida | Apr 11 8:32am
In reply to @jc76 "@rashida Can you describe diaphragmatic breathing? I do what they call stomach breathing. Where you deep..." + (show)
Profile picture for jc76 @jc76

@rashida
Can you describe diaphragmatic breathing? I do what they call stomach breathing. Where you deep breathe in through your nose by lifting your stomach and then breath slowly for a longer period of time out your mouth.

Jump to this post

@jc76 yes, what you are doing is called diaphragmatic breathing also. You can Google “Diaphragmatic Breathing” to find an exercise, or you can get several videos on YouTube demonstrating it; here’s one:
https://m.youtube.com/watch
Here is some further information on this from Cleveland Clinic as well:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing

REPLY
Profile picture for rashida
rashida | @rashida | Apr 11 9:02am
In reply to @methel "But be sure that it’s panic attacks and not caused by something else. I speak from..." + (show)
Profile picture for methel @methel

But be sure that it’s panic attacks and not caused by something else. I speak from experience. What was, in retrospect, seizure activity was misdiagnosed as a panic attack. It was a reasonable diagnosis; my husband’s Alzheimer’s was getting worse and I was his caregiver. I had had previous panic attacks. But it wasn’t right. I had a meningioma, easily spotted by a MRI, that was the cause. I think the important thing is to thoroughly investigate all possible physical causes of the symptoms before deciding it’s panic attacks because the treatments are so different.

Jump to this post

@methel yes, it is good - and important - to get other conditions ruled out too before assuming it is a panic attack.

When one has a history of panic attacks doctors tend to brush you off so if the usual techniques described by @catluvver are not working in good time, a trip to ER definitely is warranted.

REPLY
Profile picture for rashida
rashida | @rashida | Apr 11 9:22am
In reply to @ebonybl "Hi everyone, I'm a 25 y/o female from the UK dealing with multiple panic attacks a..." + (show)
Profile picture for ebonybl @ebonybl

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

Jump to this post

@ebonybl panic attacks are so terrifying when you first experience them. I can relate, as I have been through it. The techniques suggested by @catluvver will help and if they don’t, certainly see your doctor or go to ER.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.