I’m having a panic attack

[schwaneverstressed]

I think , I was lying on bed reading my phones and suddenly got heart palpitations and hands and feet all numb and can’t move them . NHS 24 have a 45 minute wait and I’m scared I’m going to die . I don’t know what to do . I don’t want to call 999 . I can’t stop shaking and dizzy and scared

Have you ever had one before?

You need to try to ground yourself.
Find five things you can see
Four things you can touch
Three things you can hear

Try to distract yourself. Put on a podcast or radio and try to keep yourself busy.
Hope you’re ok x

Take some really deep slow breaths, concentrate on your breathing.

About a year ago, I dialled 99 9 then, this feels a bit the same, sudden out of the blue and like a rushing. Feel of terror . Can’t breathe right, it’s too fast and forceful

I would call 111 by the way

Actually, if you can't feel your feet I think you do need to dial 999. I have panic attacks and numb feet are not a symptom for me?

Panic attacks can be very sudden and come out of nowhere. Try to get your attention away from your bodily sensations and onto external things.

@TheVolturi

Actually, if you can't feel your feet I think you do need to dial 999. I have panic attacks and numb feet are not a symptom for me?

It’s like they go to sleep and can’t move them, they’ve come back now but still can’t slow the breathing which I think is making me feel worse . NHS24 said hour wait minimum .

Is anyone with you? I get DH to talk to me. About anything at all. He goes on and on about really boring stuff at his work and for some reason it really helps! Numbness is really common with anxiety. Can you find some deep breathing exercises e.g. on you tube?

Why do you think it is a panic attack and not something different.

It could be something to do with your heart. I think you need to go to an UCC or A and E

If you can, download the calm app and following the breathing exercise on there. It’s just breathing in and out, in and out.

Are you alone? Can you call someone to come be with you.

We’re all here, but for now just focus on your breathing. Breathe in for four seconds, hold, and breathe out for four. Count it as you breathe, just focus on that x

Breathe op....this will pass soon. Is there anyone with you? Ambulance will be there shortly you have done the right thing by calling them. Can you go on YouTube and hear Dare panic attacks response or something similar? The dare app basic version has lots of audios which can help.

Panic attacks come out of the blue but I’ve never felt that I’ll die from them. But do dial 999 if you feel you need to, as it would be considered an emergency.

Can you breathe in for 2 counts, hold for 2 counts and breathe out for 4? It really calms the nervous system.

Hey OP, you’re not alone, it’s ok. Focus on slowing down your breath, breathe in for a count of 4, hold briefly, then out for a count of 7. Repeat - Really focus on making the out breath longer than the in breath. Then ground yourself by focusing on the feeling of your feet on the floor, and the parts of your body making contact with the bed or chair. Then look around the room and notice five things. Remind yourself ‘I am safe, it’s anxiety and it will pass’. Keep repeating until it has passed.

OK. How about go outside and get some air. It always helps me. Look at the stars and tell yourself that this WILL pass and you will be OK. And breathe.

Find an object, like a ball or a bottle of water, and keep throwing it from one hand to another. Something to do with engaging opposite sides of the brain to calm you down

@Marcee

Why do you think it is a panic attack and not something different.

It could be something to do with your heart. I think you need to go to an UCC or A and E

Just saying because I used to get palpitations that were an SVT- supraventricular tachycardia out of nowhere. And they can easily be misdiagnosed as panic attacks. Unless you suffer from anxiety or are under a lot of stress, or have had previous panic attacks, I wouldn't expect one to start just when relaxing lying on a bed istening to music for no reason.

Maybe try box breathing?

Breathe in 1-2-3-4.
Hold it 1-2-3-4
Breathe out 1-2-3-4
(sometimes feel slightly dizzy, that's quite normal).

Dentist taught me this when I had a huge panic attack during a filling! It often works for me.

I often can't feel my feet when I have a panic attack. My face tingles and goes numb too.

Hi OP, sounds really scary. I’ve had panic attacks and they are horrible.

What works for me - standing at the door and getting fresh air. This always works well.

I also access The Anxiety Guy on you tube and listen to one of his videos - I like this one m.youtube.com/watch?v=j0QOh-_BZws&t=68s

Breathing exercises are also really good. For physical symptoms I find progressive muscle relaxation good too.

How are you doing?

My hands feet and face go numb when I have a panic attack and they can come out of nowhere and feel like you can't breathe or are about to pass out or die. I always have to go for a walk outside and look at the sky and focus on breathing. Another tip my Dr taught me is to lie on my stomach or pull my legs up to my chest it compresses you and is supposed to help slow down breathing when it's too fast. Call 111 if you need help or more reassurance. Hope you feel better quickly. Feel free to keep talking on here for reassurance.

Managed to speak to someone through mental health helpline (breathing Space, scotland), there was something triggered it but was a couple of hours ago … stress at home unfortunately.

I get ectopics heart beats when stressed and they usually throw me into a panic , been checked out with ECGs and stuff before .

My breathing has settled now although my shoulders are in agony from breathing too hard, and ears are ringing . Going to try phone 111 and join their queue again and I’ve taken propranolol to see if that helps too

I’m in halls of residence for uni so don’t want to 999 if I can help it, if there’s a way of sorting it with 111 maybe

I’m on hold to 111 now . I think it was just panic but it’s scared me a lot . I’m on my own, I only moved here on Saturday . Only one other flatmate (in a flat built for 7) and she’s out .