What are the main symptoms of panic attacks?
313 Answers
Moderated by Maria Wasielewski, Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance, University of Arizona
Updated: Jul 19, 2023
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positiveLove82
on
Jan 7, 2016
Panic Attacks Expert
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I'm not sure what the main ones are but some of the symptoms are: Shortness of breath or hyperventilation, heart palpitations or a racing heart, chest pain, trembling or shaking, choking feeling, feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings, sweating, nausea or upset stomach, feeling, dizzy, light-headed, or faint, numbness or tingling sensations, Hot or cold flashes, fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy, etc
Dealing with panic attacks?
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esceflora
on
Oct 31, 2014
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I get all shaky and can't think straight. I start breathing heavily and become really pale. Almost everytime I have this overwhelming feeling I'm about to pass out. Not nice, but you can learn how to deal with this.
Anonymous
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Nov 19, 2014
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Troubles with breathing, dizziness, feeling like something is sitting on your chest, high heart bits...
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H3LL0
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Sep 22, 2014
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An overwhelming feeling of impeding doom. A feeling of you are going to die or have a medical emergency. Having difficulty breathing. Crying.
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Enigmatica
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Sep 23, 2016
Panic Attacks Expert
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At least some of the symptoms are; A sensation that your heart is beating irregularly, sweating, trembling, hot flushes, chills, shortness of breath, a choking sensation, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, feeling faint, numbness or pins and needles, dry mouth, a need to go to the toilet, ringing in your ears, a feeling of dread or a fear of dying, a churning stomach, a tingling sensation in your fingers, shivering and shaking.
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RisingSun
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Nov 11, 2014
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Whenever I have a panic attack my heart races, I get sweaty, sometimes I'll even get cold chills. I usually end up with a headache as well.
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tatertott
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Jan 2, 2016
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The main symptoms of panic attacks are:
Shortness of breath or hyperventilation.
Heart palpitations or a racing heart.
Chest pain or discomfort.
Trembling or shaking.
Choking feeling.
Feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings.
Sweating.
Nausea or upset stomach.
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zchowdh
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Nov 8, 2014
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Main symptoms of panic attacks are racing heartbeat, sweating, over thinking, not being able to sleep, and worrying.
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seaturtle
on
Oct 1, 2014
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Emotionally, panic attacks feel like a suffocating and frantic frenzy of confusion. They feel like a wave of despair and desolation that is inescapable. Physically, symptoms can include rapid or labored breathing, nausea, dizziness, and feeling hot or flushed.
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RememberingDecember
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Oct 11, 2014
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My personal symptoms are very sudden. I tend to get them all at once, overwhelming me. I have very intense sweats and shivers, and some fear because I feel like I'm dying. I feel like my heart is skipping a few beats, and it really freaks me out. I get really shaky and tense, and feel like i'm going to fall over, or maybe pass out.
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friendholly
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Dec 10, 2015
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When I have a panic attack, it's as if I have to just get out of wherever it is that I am. My breathing and heart rate increase, and I feel hot and cold. I don't want anyone to see me like this, even if they wouldn't be able to tell I was in distress. There's pressure in my head, and my vision narrows.
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elliejade
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Feb 10, 2016
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These are some: Shortness of breath, Racing heart beat, Discomfort in the chest (chest pain), Shaking, Choking feeling, Feeling separated from your surroundings, Sweating, Feeling sick, Dizziness, Numbness, Hot or Cold flushes, and fear of dying.
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cr0508
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Nov 3, 2014
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Shortness of breath, sweating, shaking, feeling as if you're choking, nausea, hot flashes/chills, a feeling of detachment from reality, etc.
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professionalDeer72
on
Feb 23, 2017
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Here are the main symptoms copied from a site:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate.
- Sweating.
- Trembling or shaking.
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering.
- Feelings of choking.
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Nausea or abdominal distress.
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint.
- Chills or heat sensations.
- Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations).
- Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
- Fear of losing control or “going crazyâ€.
- Fear of dying.
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Rorschak
on
Feb 11, 2016
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The main symptoms of panic attackss are shortness of breath, increased panic (although you may not feel as though you are panicing, it just feels like you're dying), racing heart, sweating, trouble staying calm. It helps if you close your eyes and use imagry
Anonymous
on
May 30, 2018
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"Racing" heart.
Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy.
Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers.
Sense of terror, or impending doom or death.
Feeling sweaty or having chills.
Chest pains.
Breathing difficulties.
Feeling a loss of control.
Anonymous
on
Feb 11, 2016
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Fast breathing/Heartbeat, Feeling as if you're having a heart attack/stroke, Irrational thinking
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Jessicka
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Jun 13, 2016
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The main symptoms of panic attacks are usually hyperventilating, chest pain, racing heart, trembling, sweating, and nausea. If you feel that you're having reoccurring attacks its best to seek professional help to better manage how often you have them.
Anonymous
on
Mar 5, 2017
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I can say that with my experiences of a panic attack happening the symptoms that occur are increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, chest pain, tightened muscles, thoughts that make me feel like I must be dying, struggle to conversate and ringing in my ears. In every experience I can remember when having a panic attack is that it has just come on so suddenly, without me overthinking anything or anything that I could think of that triggered it. This was the scariest part because it would happen when I really did not plan for it or know it was coming. I hope this helps answer your question(:
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Jedda
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Oct 29, 2014
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Panick attacks feature intense fear coupled with physical symptoms like dizziness, sweating & a racing heart.