I think I had major anxiety attack last night.

[Madrone]

Not having had one before I'm not sure - but if I were to describe what I *thought* an anxiety attack felt like - that's what I suffered through last night. Or I was having a heart attack - which seems unlikely since I'm still among the living.

I'm suffering from some stress as a result of my job (or, some people at my job) - and it's a miserable situation. If I would have received one more snarky comment from either of two specific individuals yesterday I was just going to go home. Luckily they got tied up in meetings and I was able to make it through the day - even though I was on edge with frustration.

When I got home I vented on the phone to the person I'm dating - and when we hung up I laid down to go to bed. And my mind wouldn't turn off. Next thing I know I'm shaking, my whole body is wound tighter than a cheap watch, I have crushing chest pain, and can't catch my breath. I was scared to death - which made it worse because I was by myself and afraid my heart was going to stop and no one would be around to help me.

I was so scared I finally called my SO - knowing full well he was sleeping, he had to work in the morning, and that I was going to wake him up. I'm the kind of person that will suffer rather than inconvenience someone else - so calling him at all was a big deal. He didn't answer, so I sat there trying to regain control - and I couldn't. I ended up calling him again - and he answered. Long story short - he's so awesome he got up, got dressed, and came and picked me up to take me back to his house. I couldn't even drive myself there!

Anyway - I'm not sure if that was an anxiety attack or what - but it was HORRIBLE. Worst. Experience. Ever.

[Shell Beau]

1. It does sound like an anxiety attack. A lot of

people think they are having a heart attack. But go to the doc, have him check things out. Sorry, that sucks!! :hug:

[flamingyouth]

2. Yikes. Poor you.

Been there. :hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

3. that suck!

I have panic disorder...have them all the time...the most important thing to remember is a panic attack never killed anyone, even though they feel like they will...I hope you feel better...:9

[Pool Hall Ace]

4. Wow, sorry you had that experience.

I've had those before, so I know how unpleasant they are.

Try to find a constructive way to blow off the stress of your job situation. I've always found journaling helpful. You can get as nasty as your want on paper, then tear it up if you feel guilty about what you wrote. But it's important to get it out.

When my brother was going through a nasty divorce, he kept his sanity by talking into a tape recorder. I've done that one too, and it sure beats snapping at a co-worker!

Your SO sounds great. Here's a hug to let you know you're not alone. :hug:

[graywarrior]

5. Been there. Hate them. They come out of nowhere.

[commander bunnypants]

6. hang in there

I am going through one right now. Thankfully its on the tail end

CB

[pitohui]

7. crushing chest pain?

good lord, see a doctor, a relative of mine noticed some not even crushing but mild chest pain and nausea, blew it off, walked around for 2 weeks before he finally wandered over to the doc & found out he'd had a heart attack & needed emergency surgery

not to create more anxiety but a person could die, crushing chest pain is a serious symptom & your first thought should not be oh it's all in my head maybe it will go away

besides there are prescription anxiety drugs that can keep this from occurring again if indeed it is just anxiety

[Hell Hath No Fury]

9. During my first major panic attack...

I had terrible chest pain and a numb left arm. I ended up in an emergency room because I thought I was having a massive heart attack.

That type of chest/arm pain is not uncommon with panic attacks. The increased anxiety levels can cause your chest/abdominal muscles to constrict something fierce, leaving you with the feeling/thought that you are having a heart attack.

Ruling out true heart trouble is always advisable, though.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. Classic panic attack.

I've suffered from them for over 15 years now.

Things you need to know about them:

You are NOT going to die.
Your are NOT having a heart attack.
The attack will NOT last forever.
You are NOT losing your mind.
There is NOTHING happening to your body that is in any way dangerous.

What happens during a panic attack is you are interpreting something that is happening to you as dangerous (either conciously or unconciously), you start to hyperventilate, and your body responds with the fight or flight reaction, pumping adrenaline into your blood stream which causes your heart rate to increase, your breathing to become more rapid, and your brain to go on high alert for the "danger". Which causes you to freak out even more, and starts your adrenaline pumping even harder.

In other words, your body/mind is reacting as if you are standing in front of a sabertoothed tiger who's about to have you for an afternoon noshe. :)

If you should ever have another attack, remind yourself what is happening and that it is harmless (even though it feels like SHIT) and do the following exercise to bring down your adrenaline levels:

Breath in to a slow count of three.
Breath out to a slow count of three.
Hold your breath for at least a slow count of eight.
Repeat.

What you are doing is reducing your body's level of carbon dioxcide (which is raised during hyperventilation and sets off the adrenaline dump) by slowing your breathing. You are giving your brain/body a signal that says, "The danger is over now. I can relax." When you slow your breathing and reduce your carbon dioxcide levels, a chemical is then released in the body that is the anti-adrenaline -- it is a calming chemical that will slow your heart/breathing rate and stop the panick attack.

Panic attacks can certainly be brought on by stress levels in your life. There is also a genetic component -- if you have family members who have had attacks, you can have a predisposition to having them as well.

I am a 15+ year "survivor" of panic attacks. :D They suck like nothing I have ever experienced, but I am still here to tell my tale. the gods forbide you should ever have one again, but if you should, I promise, you too will survive.

[edbermac]

10. Had some bad ones a few years ago...

First one when I was in some bookstore; my heart started pounding and I starting gulping air; drove home hoping not to crash into a tree; worst one was me bolting out of bed at 1:00am after 2 hours sleep and not being able to go to sleep until noon...literally thought I was going to die; was out of work with no insurance...
x(