I cant remember my panic attacks

Posted by flamecharley @flamecharley, Sep 29, 2019

If I have a panic attack, it will last seconds to minutes. I really should begin with the fact that I don't even know if it is a panic attack. My symptoms range from sudden overwhelming fear (and some other feelings I can't seem to pinpoint), hyperventilating and uncontrolled crying to silent crying, a sense of doom, loss and uselessness, and shaking. However, after the attack is over, I can't seem to remember anything more than who I was with, where I was, that I had an attack, and I can recall the moment of the overwhelming fear and the feeling like I've just been slammed into a wall. It's almost like my brain freezes or blacks out and I can't remember any other feelings (thoughts especially) that I had. Is this normal? The "attacks" happen a few times a day, almost every single day. Sometimes they are triggered by something mildly uncomfortable, other times it is just out of the blue. For some background, I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, ARFID (another eating disorder), a food phobia, major depression disorder, sever social anxiety disorder, and major anxiety (separate from the social anxiety). Has anyone else had this problem?

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haleigh1493 | @haleigh1493 | Aug 21, 2020

When I first started dealing with higher amounts of panic attacks in fall of 2014, I could not and still cannot remember what brought them on. My therapist would help me get to the root of the problem, but I think it was just dealing with high amounts of stress. It isn't uncommon to forget what started the panic attack. It might be the brain protecting itself and you from that memory. The human brain is an interesting organ. I would try talking more with your doctor, therapist, or whoever you are seeing about this.

nathan24 | @nathan24 | Aug 22, 2020

In reply to @sears "In my non medical opinion it sounds like you’re having some type of seizure." + (show)

Thankyou mate, went to hospital last night and the doctors said they are seizures.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Aug 22, 2020

In reply to @nathan24 "I have the same kind of thing and every doctor I’ve seen so far has no..." + (show)

@nathan24
Good morning,
Did the doctor happen to mention what type of seizure it/they were? Have you had more than one of these? You may want to continue this discussion in the seizure section. Perhaps someone there may be familiar with your symptoms.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/epilepsy-2bb359/?utm_campaign=search
Did you have an MRI or EEG at ER ? During this episode did you bite your tongue or cheek? Were your muscles sore? Were you tired, confused or did you sleep afterward. Do you have Diabetes? Did the emergency room doctor order you any
anti-convulsant medications?

Take care,
Jake

karinatimashev | @karinatimashev | Dec 24, 2023

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@flamecharley Although a long shot the possibility exists they aren’t Panic Attacks. They might be Focal..." + (show)

I was thinking the same thing. They are episodes called focal aware seizures. I experience these almost on a daily basis but some days more than others. It doesnt get triggered by anything specific but what I do feel is a sense of dejavu and then I know i am about to have a panick attack with that extreme sense of doom. Within that moment I clearly understand what thought or dejavu lead me to this episode but after its gone or I sit it out, I cant remember what was the leading thought or the event of dejavu. I know it sounds silly but thats about the best way I can describe it lol