How to tell when your having a panic attack?

Do you ever feel like your heart is going to jump out of your chest? Like you can’t breathe and the world is closing in on you? Well, my friend, that might just be panic attack waving ‘hello’. But don’t worry; I’m here to help. Here are some handy tips to tell when you’re having a panic attack.

What is a Panic Attack?

First things first – let’s understand what we mean by “panic attack”. A quick Google search would tell that it’s an intense feeling of fear or anxiety combined with physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and shortness of breath. In essence, your body goes into fight or flight mode even if there’s no apparent threat around.

Signs That You Might Be Having a Panic Attack

So how do you know you’re having one? Let’s check out some varied signs:

Shortness of Breath

If breathing becomes difficult for no reason at all (ooh scary), it could signal towards anxiety taking over.

Racing Heartbeat

Your thump thump suddenly feels faster than Usain Bolt sprinting. It prompts the thought “Am I about to have a heart attack?” (Spoiler alert: No.).

Sweating Profusely

More sweat than heat-related activities call for? You might need some relaxation time-out!

Feeling Dizzy

The world starts spinning yet everything else remains stationary—you really aren’t on any theme park ride! Tighten that seatbelt because putting yourself in order may require more energy later!

Tingling Sensations

When pins and needles appear but without any pressure applied isn’t too pleasant either. Sometimes stress causes tingly feelings which directly affects our nervous system.

Chest Pain

To borrow a line from The Lion King ‘Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba‘ or in English, ‘it’s a circle of life’- fear is to chest pain what sunrise is to morning. It’s alright Sherlock when anxiety creeps in; the heart sends signals through nerves that sometimes forget it’s a ‘false alarm!’

What Should You Do if You’re Having a Panic Attack?

So now that you know the signs, let’s talk about what to do when you get one:

Stay Calm

Sure Amy Winehouse sang “Rehab”, but we’re not talking about getting replaced by Alistair Overeem with double uppercuts—we need our Breathing exercises friends.

Breathe In!

Get ready to take some deep breaths until your brain starts relaxing while oxygen seeps through!

Distract Yourself

Easier said than done, but give Googling recipes like chicken tikka masala and naan bread something more positive to focus on for entertainment value alone (bit bored googled both). Or calling up an old friend might help distract yourself long enough from thinking about panicking.

Get Some Outside Help ASAP

Battling panic attacks alone does not bode well mentally. Encourage siblings/friends/cousins/uncles-thrice removed—anyone amenable with good vibes will work plus resisting any opportunity for fresh air doesn’t help- Take-a-walkpeeee!!!

In conclusion, there are tell-tale warning signs of having a panic attack: shortness of breath, racing heartbeat which beats sounds like Jeremy Clarkson shouting at Richard Hammond during Top gear filming because someone called him ‘green banana shaped monster’. Sweating profusely gives out all sorts of creepy and awkward vibes whilst feeling dizzy makes us feel as though humanity may vanish unexpectedly…

There’s no denying-panic attacks suck!

But as charmingly intelligent human beings (if I do say so) we tackle mental challenges by taking deep breaths and distracting ourselves! Get help if you can’t manage it on your own, often family and friends want to support but don’t know how. Remember- “This too shall pass” might seem like a cliché phrase however love helps us cherish better times coming ahead-Hang in there lovely folks!!!

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