Did I have a panic attack??

[FartnissEverbeans]

I was sitting at home tonight before putting my 4yo son to bed and suddenly started feeling quite randomly anxious about work stuff. My throat started feeling tight/swollen inside but my breathing was fine.

My son has food allergies and I immediately thought of anaphylaxis. I called my husband, but he was caught in traffic miles away. Called my friend but no answer. I started feeling lightheaded headed and shaky and terrified I was going to die and leave my son on his own.

I read my son his stories and tried putting him to bed but it got worse and I thought I was going to throw up, so we got out of bed and went outside for a walk. I felt better when I saw other people around, and DH stayed on the phone until he got home.

I feel much better now but a bit teary.

Having googled it sounds like a panic attack. I’ve been busy and stressed at work but I do generally love my job and recently got a promotion that I’m really enjoying. I have a bit of health anxiety, especially since my son was diagnosed with allergies and got his epi pens, and I suppose this year has been hard work overall. I’m usually lucky enough to have pretty good mental health and I’m quite an optimistic, contented person most of the time.

I’ll talk to my dr, but does this sound like a panic attack? Is that likely to happen when I feel otherwise well? Is it likely to happen again?

Thank you xx

Definitely sounds like a panic attack to me, hope you're ok! I've had panic attacks for the last 10 years or so and through time I've developed strategies to cope with them. One big tip for if it happens again; try and concentrate on your breathing - count to 2 breathing in and then 2 again when breathing out, repeat but after a while count to 3, then 4 and 5. Focusing on something like breathing calms the mind and increasing the length of breaths gets more oxygen in slowly.

Panic attacks always wear me out afterwards, depending on the scale of the attack I can be wiped out and wobbly for 24/48 hours. Most of the time I feel better after a couple hours. Be kind to yourself and take some time to rest.

Sounds like it but best get checked out to be careful. If you have one again then you know it is, I always distract myself and concentrate on breathing and know it will pass eventually x

Yes it was a panic attack I would say.
As someone who used to suffer from them for many years can I advise you two things:

1. Don't get afraid of them or they will be more difficult. Try if you can to think 'this is my body just upping the stress a little bit more than usual' and let it come and go. They will go but panicking will close the door so to speak and they can't get out.

1. Do not run from them. Get a chair and sit facing the back and drape your arms over it and drop your head down. Just let it come in waves and breathe normally. The more you panic the more you trigger adrenaline. If it happens on transport, in work etc just use a finger to gently tap out a sequence - 1 to 7 lets say and focus only on that.

I hope this helps.

Definitely a panic attack and I 100% agree with what Jakey posted. I know how terrified you felt, but do not be afraid of a panic attack. All it is is a rush of cortisol hormone coming at an inappropriate time. How old are you, op?

Definitely sounds like a panic attack.
In addition to the rally helpful advice above, also try looking around you and naming/describing:
5 things you can see
4 things you can hear
3 things you can feel (touch)
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste.

It helps ground you and brings you into the present. Try engaging all of your senses.

Keep an eye on things and get help sober rather than later if things don’t improve. In the meantime try to find things that alleviate your stress and make some changes.
Are you eating well? Are you sleeping enough? Are you having enough time to do things that make you feel good? Are you exercising? All of these things make a huge difference.

I suffer with them regularly but with practice, I’m getting better at stopping them fully taking over. I’m beginning to realise when One is starting and have built a ‘grounding toolkit’ which is really helping me keep them under control. Good luck OP

Thank you so much everyone. I feel better already having read these responses!

@LooneyLovefood I was a bit wobbly afterwards but I’m feeling a lot better now. It’s been a really busy few weeks and I’m hoping things will improve now that I’ve got some time to rest. My husband chatted to me for a while and that helped too.

@Dobbyhasnomaster @Jakey056 @Honestadviceneeded Thank you all - I’m definitely going to put these strategies in place. Thank you so much.

@Aquamarine1029 I’m 36! I’ve always been a bit anxious but it’s never manifested in this way before...

Thank you for being so kind and helpful everyone xx

Sounds like a panic attack to me. I hope your alright. Sending virtual hugs