Was/is this a panic attack...?

[Teaandcakeat8]

I have suffered what I would say mildly from anxiety since last summer, when I had two full blown panic attacks (shaking, can't breathe, fast heartbeat, nausea, pins and needles) plus general episodes of mild panic maybe once every couple of days (lightheadedness, shortness of breath, that weird spaced out feeling). A doctor found nothing physically wrong.

Tonight I was just drifting off to sleep and then woke up maybe 20 minutes later with the feeling something was wrong. Next thing I was boiling hot, sweaty, heart absolutely pounding.

I've been to the toilet and opened a window and am starting to feel a bit better. My heart is slowing down and I'm cooling down.

Was this a panic attack? I don't feel ill or unwell. I've never woken up like this before and it was so disorientating!

Oh you poor thing- whatever it was, it doesn't sound pleasant.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? You couldn't be peri -menopausal could you? What you describe sounds a bit like a night sweat.

Could be but also sounds quite like a night terror.

I'm only 26 so hoping I'm not pre menopausal! Feeling very awake and slightly wiped out now although my heart rate is almost back to normal.

I think it might have been a panic attack as I had similar when I was suffering from anxiety. I also had reoccurring sleep paralysis but that (unsurprisingly) involves paralysis so I don't think that's what it was. Has your doctor prescribed anything?

Sorry op I forgot to say - I'm glad you're feeling a bit better.

I'd say it sounds like a panic attack, they are horrid Hope you're feeling better soon.

No nothing prescribed by the doctor - I was a bit wary of medication and hoped he might suggest counselling but actually he was quite unsympathetic - his exact words were 'you can deal with panic when you know nothing is physically wrong with you!'.

I was in an unhappy relationship and feeling quite trapped and have been feeling much more in control since it ended, which seems to have eased my symptoms. So that's why I'm confused this has come out of the blue!

My depression and anxiety started when I was the most stable position in my life that I'd ever been. I think it's because when you're in the bad situations you're busy focusing on living and getting through them; when you're finally out of it your mind starts trying to process what you've been though and I think it can all come to a head in your mind in a big rush. I don't think I explained what I mean very well there but I hope it makes some sense.

Anyway, your doctor sounds really terrible! Is there another gp at your surgery you can see? Counselling ime can have a long waiting list on the NHS, if you can afford to then I'd say private is the quickest option for that. I understand many people have qualms about taking medication for their mental health but as my dp always says, if you have a broken arm, you'd get it treated so why not treat your mind? It is an illness like any other. I was taking medication for anxiety and depression (quietipiane and sertraline) and it made me better and I don't take it anymore. But if I got ill again I wouldn't hesitate in taking it again. I did have CBT before I started the AD's, but it did not really do anything for me, though I know some people do find it really helpful.