Some ways people describe panic attacks
I am so scared that another panic hits me. I thought I was going to die when I had the last one. It came right out of the blue - I couldn't get a breath, my heart felt like it was going to burst. I felt that I was going to faint. I was drenched in sweat and I felt sick. At its worst point, I thought I was dying. It was the worst feeling I have ever had
When I feel panicky, my throat gets all tight. It feels like I've got a ball stuck there. I feel I can't get a breath. It feels like I can't get enough air in my lungs. I even get like this in the shower - as soon as the water hits my face, I feel I can't breathe and have to get out
I go through each day with a dread that I might panic. I had a panic last week and I was rooted to the spot. I couldn't move. I was like a rabbit caught in a car's headlights
My panic seems to start for no reason. I can be soaked in sweat in seconds and my head spins. I think my heart is going to burst out my chest. I can shake from head to toe and I often have to get to a toilet quick. I get this surge right through my body. That scares the hell out of me. I get these pins and needles in my fingers and arms and, if it is a bad panic, round my mouth. I try to sit down when I feel it come on. I think this will stop me from fainting
As soon as I feel a panic come on, I rush to sit down. I hold onto the arm of the chair really hard so that I don't collapse.
I'm fine when Ray is on days or a back-shift. When he is on nights, I won't go to bed. I keep my jogging suit and my shoes on so that if I start to panic, I can run out the house for help. I tell my friend next door that Ray is working and make sure that it would be OK to chap her door during the night if I need to. I don't care if she thinks I'm off my head, I need to know I can go there.
