Panic attack at work!

[Roxyx88]

So I recently started a new job and Saturday had what I believe to be a panic attack whilst there. I suddenly felt faint, my vision started to go funny, hearing kind of a bit muffled and legs felt like jelly. I kind of knelt down and told a colleague I felt dizzy and she got me a stall to sit on. It took about half hour to pass. Whenever I tried to stand up I just felt dizzy again so had to sit down. At the time I thought it was just a random dizzy spell but having thought about how I have been feeling recently I am now sure it was a panic attack. I have had 2 before with very similar symptoms, both previous times were whilst I was at work at a previous job and on both occasions I just lied down wherever I was at the time I think on a wall the first time and in a toilet the second. Now I am worried it will happen again at work tomorrow and I will just embarrass myself. I work in a pharmacy so would be embarrassing if I suddenly started to panic and felt the need to lie down. Like what would I do 😩

Are you sure it was a panic attack, I suffer from them too but also get low blood sugar attacks that feel similar and often then bring on the panic too. Happened at work a few times, I usually hide in the loo and hope it’s not serious!

@DevilWitch thanks for your reply. I am not 100% sure it was a panic attack but have been feeling particularly anxious recently and also stupidly tried to come of my medication that I take for anxiety a couple of weeks ago. Have been back on them a few days. Although not 100% I am quite sure it was a panic attack. Comparing to the last 2 which definitely were.

Panic attacks can only last a maximum of 20mins because that it the biological amount of time that any body can sustain the adrenaline rush that goes along with them. If it was 30 mins, it is unlikely to be a panic attack.

I think you should go and see your gp

@Geneticsbunny thanks for your reply. The nhs say panic attacks can last from 5 to 30 minutes. The vision and hearing problems didn't last the full 30 minutes, they subsided.

@Geneticsbunny I will see a gp this week thanks.

Honestly, it sounds more like a blood pressure or blood sugar crash than a panic attack.

Sounds like a panic attack to me. Your poor thing, it's horrible when they happen.
I'd be thinking about staying on your medication for a little while longer. Especially if you're working in a new job.

Starting a new job and being in a new environment might have made you feel a bit overwhelmed. It sounds (not a doctor) like a fainting episode. Can you keep a diary for the week, eat regularly, take sit-down breaks, bed early, stay hydrated, get a walk in each evening, maybe cut out caffeine - see if that helps too?

im sorry for you; it’s a rotten sensation.

@DreadPirateRobots thanks for your reply. I did initially think something to do with my blood pressure. I will go and see my gp.

@MrsMorrisey I have started taking them again so hopefully will start to feel better soon! It was a silly time go think about coming off them really!

@SleepPrettyDarling thanks for your reply. Could have just been a fainting episode I guess, although I didn't actually lose consciousness. I could try cutting our caffeine and walking. I do eat regularly as I worry about fainting if not!

I have had similar symptoms in the past and turned out to be low blood pressure brought on by overheating and/or low blood sugar. It’s really scary and horrible. Hope you can see your GP and get some answers 💐

I think it's unlikely to be a panic attack unless associated with fear and strong anxiety

If your anxiety meds were beta-blockers, it may have messed with your blood pressure when trying to come off them. I had quite a few dizzy spells when I decided to stop taking mine and didn’t taper down.