How can you explain anxiety and panic attacks to those who care about you but have never experienced either?

The only way I could possibly feel like I've answered this properly is if I explain how they affect me. Panic attacks make me feel like everyone is watching me and expecting something from me. Like they can see right through me to my soul and they can see every secret and every fear and everything I've ever wanted hidden. And it's mortifying to me. It feels like whatever has triggered that attack is bringing up that same feeling I've had from a similar experience in the past. And I feel like I lose control of my body. And I can't stop myself from losing control of my emotions and everything around me. It's like spiraling down a Rollercoaster with no safety belt and no restraints and I'm about to turn upside down through some loops and twists.

Create a scenario they would most likely understand. Such as relaying it to feelings they’ve had. Like you know that feeling you get when you lean too far back in your chair or miss a step on the staircase? That little clip of your stomach, quickened heartbeat, for that half a second you feel like you’re about to die. So imagine that feeling but x10 and 24/7. That’s what having anxiety feels like. But an actual attack is so much worse.

Let them know it's like drowning; you can't breathe, you're afraid, it's something that needs to be attended to right now and can't be ignored.

Its not easy to explain nor easy to understand a feeling that one has never been through. If someone you care about isn't sure how to help you deal or cope with anxiety, there are several things you can do to help them become more aware of you situation. You can gather information on your situation so they can read over the material and be more aware of what it involves and the details behind it. Also, if you are seeking therapy or counseling services, you might also want to invite them to attend a session with you. Sometimes it can be better explained by a professional as to what the situation entails and how to incorporate coping skills for all involved. Even though one can never fully understand a situation unless they experience it, you can do things on your part to help them get to a place that they understand better what you are dealing with.

Try to ask your doctor or go online to youtube on a website that is geared to provide visuals about that topic.

There are some amazing books and online information you can use to try and explain anxiety and panic attacks to people who have never experienced it. One book I used that really helped is "self help for the nerves" by Dr Claire Weekes. This book lists every symptom and explains why each one happens and is really helpful to give insight to those who have never experienced anxiety or panic attacks. You can also talk to people and explain how you feel, which can be difficult. One person explained a panic attack as "when you are walking down the stairs and miss a step almost falling, for that split second you experience panic, a panic attack are those feelings but magnified to unbearable levels and longer lasting"

Anxiety is a common thing, the average person experiences anxiety on a regular basis, it's human instinct, but some people experience it more intensely than others. Panic attacks could be from blanking out, to having the following; chest pounding or increased heart rate, sweating, tremors or shakes, short of breath or the feeling of being smothered, choking sensation, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal discomfort, feeling dizzy or light-headed or faint, feeling as if things or you are unreal, fear of losing control/going crazy, fear of dying, tingling feeling in extremities, and chills or hot flashes. It's your mind telling you you're in danger in a situation that has no danger, it's feeling terrified.

Anxiety is like stress that doesn't go away it always affects you and it's hard to cope with sometimes. Panic attacks are the worst you feel doomed when you're in the middle of one nothing's right. you're scared. Panic attacks can be a little shaky to seizures. It depends on the person

We can always share what goes on with in us to someone who cares. It is okay share. Yes, there will be times where the person may not understand because he/she hasn't experienced it. We can atleast ask them to listen to us because listening and talking helps a lot.