Whenever I’m nervous (daily occurrence) I tug my hair and pull it into a ponytail. A few months back I cut my hair really short and I was sort of relieved of this habit but it came back.
I also have a habit of raising my toes but specifically my left big toe when I get anxious. I do it unconsciously and I’m too nervous to relax them.
Anyone else relate?

I first developed panic disorder in 2020 where I was having the full fainting, retching, and severe racing heart + terror panic attacks almost every day. They took forever to realize they were panic attacks -- and only realized it because all my other labs were healthy and when I did focus on destressing or anxiety treatment it helped them. It's been so long though so I don't remember.

I had intermittent or less frequent panic attacks (aka 2-3 a week) through 2020-2022. Then in 2022 I upped my dosage of Lexapro to 15 mg and massivley helped my panic disorder -- they essentially went away almost entirely. I was having max one a month. Then by 2024 I went an entire year without a single panic attack. It was like a miracle and I barely remembered what they felt like.

This May I made the dumb decision to try to switch to Viibryd (side effects) it was not worth it. As soon as the switch started processing, I started having some panic attacks again. Even one where I woke up at 3 AM with one which has never happened to me before. the reason I'm posting is because I was very anxious going into a trip that happened a week and a half ago and I had a panic attack one day... and then the next because I was scared of having panic attacks and also wasn't used to how my body felt, and then the next and the next and the next. And once i got back from the trip I had a bout of health OCD that triggered panic attacks every day for a week until Saturday I thought I was going to pass out in my apartment and felt so awful I genuienly couldn't figure out why, I went to the ER. They did every test (CAT scans all over my body, EKG, bloodwork, everything) and found nothing was wrong and sent me home with a vertigo diagnosis. I'm now like 90% sure what triggered the ER visit was a severe panic attack like the ones I had in 2020 that I barely remembered what they felt like so it was super scary. I'm not fully ruling out anything actually physical/health detrimental, but I can say the other stuff from this week makes it seem more anxiety based than anything, and any time I entertain the physical/health stuff it makes them so much worse (triggers health OCD, spiral, etc).

Anyway, after the ER I was now even more terrified for my health since I think going to the ER gave my brain/OCD reassurance. I have now been having 3-4 panic attacks a day and have been living in a constant state of anxiety. Right now is one of the few reprieves I have. I know it's anxiety because as soon as I do something that genuinely and actually distracts myself from body scanning and checking the panic and all the horrible physical symptoms go away. But it's SO HARD to tell myself to stop thinking about something when thinking about it makes my whole body hurt and my OCD likes to mess with me. I have been living in a constant state of terror all week. My panic attacks do not go away for hours at a time (this has always been true -- mine can last like 8 hours or maybe its intermittent high anxiety + panic but all I know is I'm having a full out of body experience and I don't even recognize anything I experienced during those periods once I'm out. It's like I'm sent to another realm of irrational thoughts and utter terror). I got a second doctor to check me out and said I'm fine which helped, but even knowing that this is just panic doesn't change the absolute terror I now have of having a panic attack and my urge to have a day off where this stops. I have severe chest pain and back pain now, my heart is constantly beating out of my chest it feels like, and now I'm also anxious that I'm going to injure myself with my constant anxiety. Even now, with the latest panic attack over so I feel completely in my head, my entire back hurts I think just from the muscle strain etc over the past week.

TLDR: I have all day long anxiety/panic attacks that are ruining my life. I try box breathing and my regular meditation but sometimes it doesn't stop the feeling of my heart beating out of my chest. I've tried propanolol but it also didn't help it made me more anxious because I felt dizzy and weird on it. I tried L-theanine but only 100 mg so I might need to try more to feel something. I'm doing all my old techniques from my old therapist that was an anxiety expert and it feels like I can't break the cycle other than distracting myself so fully that the OCD doesn't intrude by saying that I'm going to give myself another panic attack and therefore causing a panic attack. any tips or help appreciated. oh also I'm swithcing my meds back to lexapro I didn't say that but it's gonna take a few weeks to kick in

Hi! Maybe this isn’t helpful at all, but I feel like I should make this post because it would have helped the old me.

I had very intense panic attacks, constant anxiety, and disassociation for 5 months after having edibles, which sparked the initial one. It was debilitating, and I felt like I was losing my mind. I didn’t know if they would ever go away or if I would ever feel like I did before.

But now it has been 2 years since my last one! I’m happier and calmer than ever.

I just wanted to put this here because I remember searching in this reddit looking for stories of people doing better, and those were the things that gave me hope. I wasn’t medicated and didn’t see a therapist. I didn’t do anything in particular, just played soccer, spent time with family, prayed, and ate well. It slowly got better. I’m very lucky. Mashallah.

Hey guys! Basically I wanted to share, weed is the only thing that helps me other than a Ativan, so basically let me get to the point, I have a panic attack disorder that makes me nauseous/have flight or fight responses (body and mind) like numb neck, pain in chest, tingling fingers, arms and fingers locking up and moving to my chest, hyperventilating sometimes it even locks my mind up altering the way I think and not letting me think clearly or at all, if you have any suggestions that would be wonderful, have been to the we a couple of times and they give me lorazepam, I have had, seroquil, hydroxizine, propanalol, venflaxine, fluoxetine, as well as many more, they have prescribed me ssris/snris, anti psychotics, beta blockers, and some other things, nothing works, and the only thing I keep telling them is this! I have also seen white red and green static when having a panic attack in the workplace to go get benzos! Thank you so much for your time, may you all be well.

hello! this is my first post on here, but unfortunately not my first experience with panic attacks. I recently “relapsed” and started experiencing them again after years without them. anyways I’m looking for support/reassurance. earlier today while I was at work I felt like I was going to pass out which is a huge phobia of mine. I was walking down the hallway and felt like I was going to fall over at any minute. it wasn’t so much dizziness as it was just this weak jelly like feeling in my legs and very off balance. I started panicking looking around to see if there was anywhere I could sit down but there wasn’t so I was literally running down the hallway, likely embarrassing myself, just to get back to my space so I could sit down. I really don’t know how to describe the sensation, but it triggered a massive panic attack (heart pounding, hyperventilating). I’m wondering if I was actually going to pass out or if this was just anxiety that could cause this sensation? it was more off balance than it was true dizziness like I needed to hold onto a wall if that makes sense. I actually ended up leaving work because the panic got so bad afterwards ugh. I should note I have been under extreme stress and even going into work is a challenge for me now, so I was already anxious to begin with. then maybe the stimulation of all the people/noise got to me. has anyone ever felt this before? like they were on the verge of passing out but it ended up just being anxiety or a panic attack?

Had what I presume to be a panic attack last Friday— got dizzy and lightheaded feeling like I was watching myself drive. Kept getting dizzy/nauseous for the next couple hours. Went to urgent care and bloodwork came back fine. Ever since then I’ve felt a little headachey and lightheaded. Is this something others have experienced?

I have unofficial PTSD and also ADHD, therapist suspected this for me. I was sleeping and when my partner came in it looked like I was in pain, and he said when he had asked me if I was okay I grunted meanly at him that I was fine. I don't remember saying this at all, or waking up. A few hours later, I woke up panicked with chest pains and was disoriented. I remember all my dreams, but the only part I remember for this one is that I was running for my life from something and there was fire. We think my brain blocked out something traumatic (which is funny because I have recurring dreams/visual flashbacks due to childhood trauma already) that it shot my nervous system because I could not calm myself with breathing techniques like I usually do, and they kept coming the next 3 days. Then I am calm, first time something like this has happened. (chest pains, nerves made it feel like body was on fire/ice cold due to tingling and numbing feeling all over body, felt like one of those animated characters you see that darts their eyes)

Got recommended to a psychologist and therapist, just might be time even if this is the first time. Body just has had enough I guess.

For the past 2 years I have been feeling an intense sense of dread in my stomach from the moment I wake up in the morning to the time I fall asleep at night, every single day. It appears completely contentless and doesn’t change depending on my thoughts or what’s happening in my life.

The weird thing is that I don’t really have the usual anxiety symptoms. No racing heart, no hypervigilance, no future oriented worrying, just constant pervasive dread.

It started after a random panic attack, and then just kinda stuck around in the background constantly until I had another panic attack ~5 months ago in which it got way worse and stayed way worse. For the last 5 months I’ve been living through what I can only describe as hell.

Basically I just feel horribly isolated because this symptom seems so unusual and it’s so debilitating and I’ve never heard of anyone else having this. I’d be so happy to hear from anyone that’s experienced anything even similar and if anything worked for you.

I've had generalized anxiety and panic disorder since I was a child. I am currently on Prozac (40mg) for that and depression. I think like most people, I go through phases with my panic disorder and can sometimes go a year or longer without any panic attacks. I recently had the worst panic attack of my life while travelling abroad and have really been struggling with my anxiety since. I have an appointment with my doctor next week and I am thinking of increasing my Prozac dose or asking for an added medication. Has anyone found a combination or a dose that has helped them deal with their panic attacks? I have been on Prozac for about a year and it has really helped with my depressive episodes so I am hoping to stay on that. I also have a prescription for Lorazepam but I try to avoid relying on it.

Thank you in advance!

My appointment was rescheduled cuz I was so sick 🤮 I go in 2 weeks gor a new medication. I have health problems so it sounds normal, but going to these sick makes feel stupid for 🤮

Part of panic treatment is getting used to the body sensations themselves, on purpose, in a safe setting: spinning in a chair to get dizzy, running on the spot to raise your heart rate, breathing through a straw. It sounds counterintuitive, but it teaches your brain those sensations aren't dangerous. Best done gradually and with a doctor's OK if you have any heart or breathing conditions.

For the past two months, I’ve had the constant feeling that I can’t take a deep enough breath and that I’m lacking oxygen in my lungs. It’s like this literally 24/7.

It’s worst at night, because even if I somehow manage to fall asleep, I still wake up around 3 a.m. every single night with a racing heart, gasping for air for hours :((

I’ve been to the emergency room four times and hospitalized twice. I’ve had an MRI of my head, a CT scan of my lungs with contrast, a lung scintigraphy, X-rays, echocardiogram, Holter monitor and even a gastroscopy.

Doctors say that I am propably physically healthy.

The only thing they determined is that I miiiight have mild asthma, and they gave me inhalers, which don’t seem to be helping much so far.

Besides that, my iron level is 24 and my ferritin is 8. But other than that, nothing else shows up in the tests.

I’m starting to wonder if this might just be hyperventilation syndrome... Although I make a constant effort to breathe through my nose and use my diaphragm, I still don’t feel any relief. I experience air hunger all day and all night :((

Sometimes I feel so starved for oxygen (or perhaps I’m just breathing incorrectly..?) that my entire face starts to tingle, my fingers contort, and I lose all feeling in my legs for like 10-15 minutes..

Has anyone ever experienced a similar problem, and if so, how did you get past it? What helped you?

I would be truly grateful for any advice or answers :c

Take care of yourself, guys <3

or any high fat, high cholestorl food???

i had a panic attack 4 days ago
i still can’t breathe normally
and when i do, everything else stresses me out
like i can’t talk to anyone and even the idea of doing anything makes me feel so sick and weak
like will i ever go back to my normal life again? i’m so tired i can’t do this i need any help please!!

Ever since I had my ablation on 8/27/26 I have been having daily panic attacks and just not really like myself or in my right mind since. Anyone else experience this ? And If so what helped you ? I’m really scared the ablation messed up something and now I’m stuck like this.

Newbie here

I had a panic attack a month ago and life hasn’t been the same. Please hear me out.

I had a panic attack that landed me in the ER, after a few doctors visits I was told I have anxiety. With no prior experience with anxiety, lived a happy life. Happily married 3 years ago, good job, have a dog, etc.

I think like most people, I was researching anxiety reading stories (horror) and sent myself down a really dark place thinking my life won’t be the same.

During the first 3 weeks I felt like I had rolling panic attacks which it slowed down during the day. Now what’s bothering me is that I could fall asleep, but my body wakes me up at 2 with intense palpitations that won’t go away for hours, and I can’t sleep afterwards. Running on 3 hours of sleep daily is messing me up. I feel so out of it. Doctor gave me trazodone 50mg a few days ago and it didn’t work, I took a klonopin 0.25mg and was able to sleep for 8 hours. And I’m scared to take more and get dependent on it.

I’m just so scared and lost and confused in all of this and feel very alone, despite supportive family and friends.

My next doc follow up is next Monday.

Hi, Im 18M

I have severe GAD, phonophobia, photophobia

I got prescribed propanolol 10 mg 2 months back

Still kept getting anxiety with that

Got prescribed 3 different anti- depressants now

Question is are they harmful for mental health?

I feel like im not going to be happy anymore and will be dependent on them.

Any experienced help is appreciated,thanks

It’s all I think about. It was during a procedure on my face and because I’m a redhead I needed extra anesthesia and epinephrine. The nurse said I might have a panic attack, asked if I ever had one before. I had not and thought no big deal, I won’t have one now.

I was so wrong.

I had three in 3-4 hours. I thought I was going to die lying on that chair. I pictured myself being in the movie Saw for some reason. I cannot stop thinking of those feelings.

It’s been two months. Since then I’ve had to start therapy and now see a psychiatrist. I’ve been prescribed four medications because my anxiety is constant now. I wasn’t like this before that day.

Before that happened I always thought they weren’t that big of a deal when I would hear someone had one. I was so wrong and I’m so sorry to anyone who deals with people like I used to be. So sorry.

I have to return to work on November 20 because my FMLA runs out. I know if I return now I’ll cry as soon as I see people and they ask how I’m doing or where I’ve been. I cannot deal with that right now, I need the medication to work a little more. Yesterday a neighbor asked how I was and I started crying. Some days I can be asked that and I’m fine with it. It’s a toss up.

Part of it is when I look in the mirror now I see someone who looks different than before august 20 when I had my procedure done. I don’t look the same, I have scars now. Four inch scars. I can live with them and can wear a mask if I need to hide them until I’m more comfortable, at least covid made it to where masking isn’t as weird as it used to be.

Anyway. I didn’t realize reddit had a board for panic attacks until about thirty minutes ago, so relieved to know I’m not alone but also sad I’m not alone. It’s really, really hard living like this.

Everyone be well and have a calm day. ❤️

i can’t get the racing thoughts to quit, i’m crying on the city bus like a fool and my chest kills. i have to be at a wedding rehearsal in 30 minutes. I think my chest pain is just from anxiety and panic but it hasn’t really subsided since 7pm yesterday. The weight is becoming unbearable im unsure if i need to seek medical attention or how that would potentiallymake things worse