Not sure what to call it?
I am not sure if you would call this a panic attack but I have had these episodes where all the sudden I feel like I can't catch my breath even though I am breathing. I feel a sudden urge of panic but no panic attack it just sits there it feels like I am gonna die from not breathing. It feels like my body is fighting the panic attack and after about 5 - 10 min of this I feel so exhausted. The pressure is lifted and I can breath but the experience I just had frightens me. Is this another way of a panic attack coming on. I am not scared of the full blown panic attacks anymore. Just when I thought I was getting over the panic attacks this comes. Can anyone give some advice?
I too have had this happen to me. It happened to me today. I know what I am experience now, so it's not so bad anymore when it happens, but i hate the feeling. I try to ignore it and distract myself by keeping occupied with household chores, errands, etc. Don't dwelling on it , which makes it worse. I sometimes get a dizzy feeling for a quick moment then it goes away. It always does and eventually they will stop.
It seems to me that this is all a process and so great for you that you are not getting big size panic attacks. Be proud of how far you have come. I have just come to terms with the fact that along the way to some of my bigger attacks have been an accumulation of moments of dizziness (several in a week) and/or migraines (again, several in a week). These, over a period of weeks, accumulate and result in a blow up.
Be patient with yourself and know that the only way to end it all is to acknowledge it. Try the breathing, it seems to settle me a bit or even if you can't lie down, try tensing and releasing the part of your body that is tense.
Good luck
Be patient with yourself and know that the only way to end it all is to acknowledge it. Try the breathing, it seems to settle me a bit or even if you can't lie down, try tensing and releasing the part of your body that is tense.
Good luck