How dangerous are the physical symptoms of a panic attack-when I have one I feel like I could die?

My therapist told me, that there are only minimal dangers in physical form. He told me, the worst thing that can happen is that you pass out (and thats rare!). And physical damage will be a cause of the passing out (e.g. hitting the ground). But normally, you should not have a physical damage after a panic attack is over.

The physical symptoms aren't as bad as first presumed, it's an instant state of worry in which you'll eventually come out of, although scary you will progress through it.

I know this has to be really stressful on you and I'm sorry you are experiencing this. The physical symptoms of a panic attack can make you feel like you are going crazy, loosing control, and even like you are experiencing a heart attack. But they can't kill you.

Very little indeed. Even if you were to manage to hold your breath until you passed out, your body would automatically start regular breathing again.

They are not dangerous, when you have a panic attack it may feel like your throat is closing, you can't breathe, you are dizzy, your heart is beating fast, your fingertips might tingle, but you need to remember that you are not in any immediate danger. Its difficult to convince yourself that physical symptoms are not harmful but if you worry about it, it might feel like they are getting worse. Sit down, relax your body one muscle at a time, legs, chest, shoulders, arms and face, and breathe out through your mouth, your body will automatically breathe back in for you, just keep doing this and you should start to feel a little more calm within a minute or so. :-)

I've found that most physical symptoms are harmless, yet terrifying. Some symptoms though, such as serious hyperventilation or any affect that hinders your breathing or your brain should definitely be followed up by a visit to your doctor or a trip to the ER.

well you dont actually die n but what you can do is go to somewhere where you can breath as fast as you can and get some water before it gets worst or ask for help

Nowise, the physical symptoms of panic attack includes mainly hyperventilation (fast and deep breathing) and palpitation (fast and strong heartbeat) which causes hyperoxygenation of organism and you can feel tingling in limbs, fainting or you can have feeling like you are going out of your body or like having heart attack. But in fact, you are in control all the time, it's only fight or flight reaction which is normal part of organisms auto defense system. But in panic attack it is triggered in situations that didn't contain any risk or danger. Everything that happens is normal and natural reaction of organism, but in this situation you have scare from the triggered fight/flight reaction and it makes that symptoms worsen and that trigger another defense reaction and that scares you.... It's vicious circle. But in every case, it's not dangerous! It's only abnormal, and for your calm, it's normal to feel abnormal in abnormal situation. But one of the important things is to calm yourself and wait if the attack disappear, if not after about 2 hours or if it's worsening, it's strongly recommended go to the hospital and get an assessment. The reaction itself is very energy consuming, so whether the body wants or not it must after some time end it.

The best answer is to talk to your doctor about how your symptoms impact you. Many people experience panic attacks. The sense of impending doom is part of having profound fear, Fear is a natural emotion and it serves to protect us in dangerous situations so it is not directly harmful. In my experience most of the risk from panic involves how we make decisions when we are in such a state of fear. Making hasty decisions or doing risky things because we are panicked is a real issue and one your doctor can help with. He can also tell you if the stress you experience during a panic attack is a risk to you because of other health issues you may have. I wish you peace ~J

Listen I'm not going to chase death well i'll find a way to discuss my problem with someone or maybe i could feel better