1. < Mental Health

Blackout panic attacks

Posted by gidkip @gidkip, Dec 29, 2020

Hi I am the brother of a sister who has panic attacks. She has only had them two times but these panic attacks have recently started happening and this worries me because this may be something she lives with for her entire life. When she has had the panic attacks she hyperventilates starts crying and she keeps saying shes scared. She usually falls asleep to calm down, but she doesn't remember what happens when she wakes up. I have researched a little but I haven’t read anywhere about people forgetting what happened during their panic attacks. Is forgetting a panic attack a symptom of panic attacks or is she having different medical condition.

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Erika | @erikas | Dec 29, 2020

@gidkip Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Your sister is experiencing extreme anxiety and memory loss and you are concerned. Members like @artscaping @abopp2022 @bibinance @anxiety227 @firewolfpup17 @buyearly @flamecharley @jenniferhunter have experience discussing a similar topic and may be of help.

Below I have linked a couple of related discussions. You may wish to scroll through the posts to get previous suggestions and information.
- Increased forgetfulness and Memory issues/ Mental health or other? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/increased-forgetfulness-and-memory-issues-mental-health-or-other/
- I cant remember my panic attacks https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-cant-remember-my-panic-attacks/

I'm wondering if you can give us more information? How old is your sister? Has her thought patterns and behaviors changed otherwise?

It's impossible to know if anxiety is causing your sister's symptoms or if your sister is feeling anxious because she feels a change in her mental status due to an organic brain issue/mental health episode. As I mentioned, your sister is experiencing a change in mental status and it's important that your sister seeks medical attention as soon as possible to rule out any serious organic or mental health diagnosis. May I ask why she has done so already?

REPLY
1 reply
gidkip | @gidkip | Dec 29, 2020
In reply to @erikas "@gidkip Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Your sister is experiencing extreme anxiety and memory loss and..." + (show)
@erikas

@gidkip Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Your sister is experiencing extreme anxiety and memory loss and you are concerned. Members like @artscaping @abopp2022 @bibinance @anxiety227 @firewolfpup17 @buyearly @flamecharley @jenniferhunter have experience discussing a similar topic and may be of help.

Below I have linked a couple of related discussions. You may wish to scroll through the posts to get previous suggestions and information.
- Increased forgetfulness and Memory issues/ Mental health or other? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/increased-forgetfulness-and-memory-issues-mental-health-or-other/
- I cant remember my panic attacks https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-cant-remember-my-panic-attacks/

I'm wondering if you can give us more information? How old is your sister? Has her thought patterns and behaviors changed otherwise?

It's impossible to know if anxiety is causing your sister's symptoms or if your sister is feeling anxious because she feels a change in her mental status due to an organic brain issue/mental health episode. As I mentioned, your sister is experiencing a change in mental status and it's important that your sister seeks medical attention as soon as possible to rule out any serious organic or mental health diagnosis. May I ask why she has done so already?

Jump to this post

She is 11 years old and we have not sought any medical attention because both panic attacks were about one month apart. And we are also out of town. I am also thinking a possible trigger may have been a family party that we were at because there was alot of people.

REPLY
2 replies
sears | @sears | Dec 29, 2020
In reply to @gidkip "She is 11 years old and we have not sought any medical attention because both panic..." + (show)
@gidkip

She is 11 years old and we have not sought any medical attention because both panic attacks were about one month apart. And we are also out of town. I am also thinking a possible trigger may have been a family party that we were at because there was alot of people.

Jump to this post

You’re parents need to address this immediately.

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bibinance | @bibinance | Dec 29, 2020

Thank you for taking such a pro-active stance in seeking help for your sister. It is obvious that she is suffering and if you do something now perhaps you can save her from having an entire life of dreadful panic attacks. When she goes through life she will have many more stressful situations and she needs help to know how to cope if her mind and her body react this way to stress. I've never had memory problems associated with my panic attacks so that does make me think something else may be going on with her and there is no way to know unless she is evaluated for her symptoms. You know that you can come back to this forum anytime. Please come back with an update on your situation. God bless

REPLY
Erika | @erikas | Dec 29, 2020
In reply to @gidkip "She is 11 years old and we have not sought any medical attention because both panic..." + (show)
@gidkip

She is 11 years old and we have not sought any medical attention because both panic attacks were about one month apart. And we are also out of town. I am also thinking a possible trigger may have been a family party that we were at because there was alot of people.

Jump to this post

@gidkip It's obvious that you want to do what is best for your sister and you are reaching out for that reason. I agree with the other members. She needs to be seen immediately. Is this something your parents are ready and able to do?

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gidkip | @gidkip | Dec 29, 2020

Thank you everyone for the help we will seek medical attention asap and I will keep you guys updated.

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