Panic Attacks – what are the symptoms and what can be done to help them?

breath slowly into a paper bag
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I used to have panic attacks alot. First you get really clammy feeling and then I would forget how to breath, throw up, and pass out. The only thing I found that really helps is my mom used to stand there and say STOP IT! to get my attention and then try and breath really slow. You have to get the persons attention and have them start taking deap breaths or they will pass out. I started it when I was in high school at cheerleading competitions and then it got worse as I got older and situations got worse. I never went to the hospital because my mom was a nurse and when i passed out and then woke up I was ok. Usually taking someone out of there comfort zone and making them do things they are not comfortable with will start an attack everytime. Hope that helps!
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panic attack
 
–noun Psychiatry. an intense attack of anxiety characterized by feelings of impending doom and trembling, sweating, pounding heart, and other physical symptoms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_attack
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panic attacks are complicated and generally not associated with one particular thing/activity (although, after someone has a panic attack, they begin to subconsciously associate it with the event). General symptoms include but are not limited to: "heavy chest", diziness, tight throat, feeling out of breath/unable to breath, restless feeling within, heart palpitations and other less common symptoms. As far as medical care – it’s not necessary – although it is VERY scary for the person dealing with the panic, they are in no physical danger (unless driving or performing an activity which can cause injury). The best thing for you to do is STAY CALM. The last thing someone with a panic attacks wants is for someone around them to get all worked up. Be reassuring and continue telling them that "it’s just panic, you can’d die from it" and that "it will go away". I had daily attacks for years before i decided to take medicine for it (zoloft, although there are many good meds out there for panic).
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panic attacks can happen somtimes if you sleep in a bad place. like in a chair, if you want to help your freinds tell them to get good comfy sleep in a BED. sometimes they happen to me, A panic attack can cause a rift in rational thinking temporarily while it is happening. If you see it happening to someone, try to make the comfortable and it will almost instanly go away. mine used to happen when i wake up from falling asleep in a bad place. want to know what it feels like? this is the situiation with me: i cant hear anything thats going on, my head is pounding and everything hurts, my brother told me that i was sweating and crying and yelling out random stuff, weird huh. he tried to jerk me out of it but that didnt work, as soon as he turned the tv on it went away, dont talk to someone fast and say, ITS OK ITS OK ….cause that makes it worse, trust me… just stay calm and comfort them and it will stop in its tracks
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