Panic
A panic attack is a sudden and overwhelming feeling of intense psychological and physical symptoms. You may feel fearful, as if something awful is about to happen. You may also have physical symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, shaking and a feeling that your heart is beating too hard or too fast, sometimes called palpitations. It can feel as if you can't breathe or as if you might faint or pass out.
Although panic attacks can be very frightening, it's important to remember that they won't cause you any physical harm.
Do you recognise these common signs of panic?
What you feel:
- Terror
- Unreal, as though you are not really there
- Anxiety, especially in situations where panic has happened before
What you think:
- I'm going to have a heart attack
- I will collapse or faint
- I'm running out of air
- I'm choking
- I'm going to be sick
- I'm losing control
- I'm going to make a complete fool of myself
- I've got to get out of here
What happens to your body:
- Heart pounding, beating fast or skipping a beat
- Heart seeming to stop, followed by a big thud
- Chest pains
- Changes in breathing, either gulping air, breathing fast or feeling short of breath
- Pounding in the head
- Numbness or tingling in fingers, toes or lips
- Feeling faint, wobbly legs
What you do:
- Avoid situations that have caused panic or you fear might cause panic
- Escape from situations when you start to panic
If you recognise these symptoms and you are ready to make changes to improve your wellbeing, then we may be able to help:
- Arrange an individual appointment by completing our self-referral form or by calling our service: 0300 123 1503
You can also find more information on nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/panic-disorder and in all Our useful resources and links.