I had the same experience last night at a business dinner. People were talking around me and all I could think of was how I was going to either pass out or have a heart attack right at the table. I'd breathe through it, and I drank a LOT of water - just because I was trying to keep busy with my hands and focus on doing something between courses so people wouldn't be able to tell how upset I was. I had one attack after another the whole time - then again today, but this time with overwhelming fatigue (since I didn't sleep well last night) and pinching pains in my chest and shoulders all day. I haven't been online in awhile, but honestly, the biggest help for me is knowing that I'm not alone in experiencing these symptoms. It's so easy to think that I'm the only one going through this, and that it must be a heart attack or a stroke or something - then I go online and read all of your postings and it helps. We're not alone - there's, unfortunately, a lot of us going through these things and coping with it - some better than others. But still, it's nice to know that I'm not crazy and that none of us are crazy - we're just dealing with these wacky episodes as best we can. I wish the best for everyone here and everyone dealing with this condition who hasn't been fortunate enough to find this site yet or perhaps is still trying to figure out what they're experiencing. I hope that we all have a wonderful anxiety-free night tonight with restful sleep, and a peaceful and calm day tomorrow!

Unfortunately, what I fear the most during a panic attack actually COULD happen. I fear vomiting more than anything, and I have heard of people vomiting during a panic attack. I personally have not, but the fact that it is possible unnerves me and causes nearly constant anxious thoughts. So I can't tell myself that it's physically impossible for me to vomit during a panic attack, because that's not true. Suggestions, anyone? I am working to challenge my negative thoughts, but this is a really tough one.

I can't tell you how many events I have faked my way through! Sometimes it's not so bad, but sometimes I feel like I am just floating through it. Even family holiday events. You'd think being the holidays and being around the family and everyone being so happy and social that I would be happy to be there, and sometimes I am. But, sometimes it's like I'm standing outside of myself watching it like a movie and acting like a robot, being socialable so noone notices. There's an old saying, "let your mind go and your body will follow." Sometimes that's easier said than done. Maybe that's something we should all try to do. Sigh.....

Hi antipanic2424, I found this on another site because I to, fear that I'm losing my mind but reading this has really helped me understand that it is only a part of your anxiety symtoms. What You Fear the Most Cannot Happen A panic attack is a horrible and terrifying experience, but it is not in any sense dangerous. Panic disorder is actually an entirely natural bodily reaction that is occurring OUT OF CONTEXT. For example, when we feel our survival is somehow threatened, all mammals have an instinctual response to either fight or flee. This response produces a sudden surge of adrenaline, accompanied by strong feelings of anxiety and panic, and a very intense urge to flee or escape the situation or circumstance. It is interesting that the intensity of the reaction and the strong urge to flee are things that would ensure your survival if you were truly in danger..... The flow of adrenaline and the resulting extra blood flow increases your strength and awareness of the danger. This extra "awareness" of the perceived danger may cause all sorts of feelings, such as dizziness, nausea, hyperventilation, heart palpitations, confusion, lack of control, unreality, being dazed, shaking, trembling, and sweaty palms, among others. During a panic attack, your body goes through the same physical processes as it would if you were in real danger. The DIFFERENCE, of course, is that although you feel you are in danger, you really ARE NOT. That you undergo panic attacks -- without knowing why -- only makes the situation much more frightening. Because of these feelings of panic, it's very common to "invent" or attribute danger to the accompanying bodily symptoms. Remember, though, that NO ONE has ever had these things happen to them as a result of a panic attack: "I'M GOING CRAZY": No one with panic attacks and anxiety has ever gone "crazy". In fact, because you realize that you have panic attacks, this is just another indication that you are not going crazy. People that "go crazy" lose contact with reality. Anxiety people are too much in contact with reality. Thus, people with panic and anxiety problems NEVER "go crazy". It simply cannot happen. "I'M GOING TO PASS OUT": Temporary dizziness leads people with panic to feel that they may pass o

I had a small dinner party tonight, and I felt rotten the whole time. I felt like I was "losing my mind" right then and there, slowly slipping away, while everyone sat and chatted and giggled the night away, there I sat, quiet... introspective... quietly listening for symptoms... thinking a few times I felt dizzy, or numbness in my face (I swear, right now, I can't remember if I really was "dizzy" or "numb" or not) And I just felt on the edge of a panic attack, and may have actually had one, I'm not sure, even though I had to keep it to myself. It was pure torture. It took so much effort to appear "normal" while inside I felt out of this world, I felt like I was watching a movie, and not really "present". I had to fake every smile, every comment... I felt horrible, and I kept sneaking into the house to look in the mirror and see if the right side of my face was drooping (it *felt* like it was, but wasn't when I looked) Oh, it was just awful. Anyone else feel like this ever?