What are panic attacks?

[solo]

Hi there

Can anyone tell me what a panic attack is?

I often burst into tears before I have to leave the house and the other week I went out for a meal with friends only to do a runner half way through the night. Are these episodes panic attacks?

Solo x

[Buttercup]

I think panic attacks manifest themselves in different ways. When I have them, sadly frequently, I start hyperventilating and cry uncontrollably. Afterwards I feel totally exhausted and get an awful headache.

[Zaf]

I feel terrified to do something or need to get out of somewhere urgently, my heart pounds and races, I can feel dizzy and I have a tight feeling in my chest

[Sweetpea]

I have an urgent need to get away from a situation or place, I go hot dizzy racing heart beat and feel like I am going to pass out.

S x

[Desperado99]

Panic attacks are different things to different people.

When I'm inside (like shops or meetings) I have an urgent 'I need to get OUT' feeling. I also get really hot/sweaty and feel dizzy/faint like I'm going to pass out, but since my therapist told me that I can't pass out from a panic attack (cos your blood pressures too high) I tend to be able to talk myself out of the situation.

[solo]

Thanks for your replies everyone  :)