I've struggled with panic attacks since I was 17 years old. I'm 25 now and they have stopped intruding in my life less. Although, I got a really bad one a couple weeks ago, and my hands got really tingly and I was gasping for air along with dizziness, shaking, sweating and incredibly scared. The tingles in my hands were new and that scared me even more. Has that ever happened to anyone?
Also, I keep randomly feeling short of breathe and it scares me. I've awoke in the middle of the night gasping and then went into a panic attack. I was told by my therapist that it was "Free floating anxiety". I've gotten short of breathe and calmed myself so I won't get a full blown panic or anxiety attack. I have been checked for asthma and was told by that doctor that it must be anxiety that is causing my shortness of breathe. Does this happen to anyone else? It is definitly scary!
New symptoms of panic
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First, yes I get these symptoms too. You're certainly not alone. These are very common symptoms for panic attacks.
Second, these symptoms have very rational explanations. As you know, a panic attack occurs when our bodies go into the "fight or flight" mode that comes with being in a dangerous situation. The reactions we have are all designed to protect us and keep us alive. The problem is that there coming at the wrong time and out of context so they feel extremely odd and often terrifying.
While there are an incredible number of changes that our bodies go through during the panic response, I'll address the two you brought up. The tingling in your hands and as Gopens said around his mouth come from the redistribution of blood throughout your body. You're body thinks it's in danger and your blood vessels contract in some areas and dilate in others. The purpose is to get as much blood to the major muscle groups like your legs and arms so you can run or fight. Places like your hands, feet, and face lose blood during the process since they are not important during the survival response. That's why they feel "tingly".
Your breathing is much the same way. During panic, your breathing becomes naturally shallow and fast. Again the idea is for self preservation. By breathing this way, your body is getting as much oxygen it can into your blood stream to power your muscles for running or fighting. But because you're not actually in a dangerous situation you notice it and it feels like hyperventilation, which it actually is. That's why we learn in the relaxation CD to slow our breathing and breath deeply from the abdomen.
I know that these explanations don't take the feelings away, but I think it's helpful to know that your body is doing what it's supposed to for dangerous situation. It's just the timing that makes it feel so awful. If you were actually in a dangerous situation you wouldn't notice these symptoms and they would help to keep you safe and alive. But since they are occurring out of context and at the wrong time, all you can notice is the symptoms since there is nothing else to pay attention to without a real threat.
Just know that these feelings can't hurt you and that they will pass, generally with the worst of it only lasting a short while.
Jamie
Second, these symptoms have very rational explanations. As you know, a panic attack occurs when our bodies go into the "fight or flight" mode that comes with being in a dangerous situation. The reactions we have are all designed to protect us and keep us alive. The problem is that there coming at the wrong time and out of context so they feel extremely odd and often terrifying.
While there are an incredible number of changes that our bodies go through during the panic response, I'll address the two you brought up. The tingling in your hands and as Gopens said around his mouth come from the redistribution of blood throughout your body. You're body thinks it's in danger and your blood vessels contract in some areas and dilate in others. The purpose is to get as much blood to the major muscle groups like your legs and arms so you can run or fight. Places like your hands, feet, and face lose blood during the process since they are not important during the survival response. That's why they feel "tingly".
Your breathing is much the same way. During panic, your breathing becomes naturally shallow and fast. Again the idea is for self preservation. By breathing this way, your body is getting as much oxygen it can into your blood stream to power your muscles for running or fighting. But because you're not actually in a dangerous situation you notice it and it feels like hyperventilation, which it actually is. That's why we learn in the relaxation CD to slow our breathing and breath deeply from the abdomen.
I know that these explanations don't take the feelings away, but I think it's helpful to know that your body is doing what it's supposed to for dangerous situation. It's just the timing that makes it feel so awful. If you were actually in a dangerous situation you wouldn't notice these symptoms and they would help to keep you safe and alive. But since they are occurring out of context and at the wrong time, all you can notice is the symptoms since there is nothing else to pay attention to without a real threat.
Just know that these feelings can't hurt you and that they will pass, generally with the worst of it only lasting a short while.
Jamie