First panic attack (long post)

[LizzieTwoShoes]

Hey everyone,


I'm a 27 year old female at University and I suffered my first panic attack on Friday. Growing up I've always had trouble with social anxiety, GAD and OCD but I'd never fully had a panic attack before as I was always able to keep myself from getting to that point by reassuring myself I'm okay and a panic attack can not hurt me.


My panic attack came on out of nowhere, I was watching the new Alien Covent movie at the cinema and it was the last few minutes of the movie. Then out of nowhere I caught my breath and my heart started pounding; it literally felt like it was going to pound out of my chest. It only lasted a few minutes and I calmed down and I'd forgotten about it.


Then on Monday I was in my end of year exam and I suffered another panic attack, this never reached the stage of full fear but it was more terrifying as it lasted longer and I was in a room of over 200 students. I'd had myself under so much stress with my exams and I was exhausted that when I opened the exam book I literally knew nothing.


I tried to ignore the panic and continue on with my day, I went for breakfast with friends and even attempted shopping all the while feeling like I couldn't breath, my head feeling like it was going explode and my whole body was numb and my chest tight. Then I made it back to my Uni flat after feeling like this for over 2 hours and I called my sister up and I just broke down on the phone and then had a full blown panic attack. Fight or flight took over and I then got my dad to pick me up and I went to my parents until today.


I knew if I didn't come back here today I was going to develop a phobia so I pushed myself and I came back here despite the fear I felt… and still feel as atm I have this horrific fear that I'll have another panic attack while here on my own. And although I know that panic attack can't hurt me and that my dad would come get me any time of day if I felt that way again, it's just the thought of been alone when I have those terrifying feelings over me that scares me.


I was just wondering, with myself been a first time panic attack sufferer, are these types of feeling normal? And will this fear of panic attacks pass? Also I have another exam coming up in two weeks and I was just wondering if I should discuss this with my tutor incase I have another panic attack?

[twice]

I would let your university know about this, it allows them to make any accommodations for you. As for the fear of panic, I hope it passes. I would go and speak to your doctor maybe too, they could refer you to mental health specialists.

[riddler]

I had my first panic attack at University when i was around 23, awful experience, I ran out of class hyperventilating and could do nothing but walk around the city for hours, eventually i went home and then stayed in bed for 2 days. It's an awful feeling that of course you don't want to experience ever again.

I went to the Uni psychologist, thinking i'd gone mad and she told me just how common this was amongst students. She explained the symptoms, gave me some useful breathing techniques (breath from your belly, not from your chest).

I was very shaky and frightened for weeks after, with the welling up of panic taking hold on a number of occasions. I called my brother who had experienced these same attacks a year or so before, he told me to 'enjoy' the actual panic attack, to treat it like a fair ground ride, the attack won't actually harm you, it'll make you go dizzy and light headed and you'll want to get off, but after a few minutes it fades away. I tried it and it worked like a charm, the ride stopped as soon as i told myself to enjoy it. I guess i just relaxed, which slowed my breathing and stopped the physical symptoms.

Exams are a pressure and you do feel trapped, so yes do tell the University, they will probably have a psychologist on site and they'll be able to advise what to do about exams. good luck