Non-fearful Panic Disorder/Attacks

[Rennie1989]

Hiya guys

So once in a blue moon I get these panic attacks which don't come with fear or panic. In other words, I get the physical panic attack symptoms of tight chest, adrenaline rush, subconscious hyperventilation, shakes etc but not panicking. In fact, I'm always calm when I have these type of attacks.

When I was 13 I had my first panic attack. I never felt fear like it, worse then death, fearing I was going to experience the worse suffering ever for eternity. I couldn't breathe, my hands went into a funny cramp, I couldn't see, hear and I was in a lot of pain. As a 13 year old not only was I scared sh**less but I had no idea what was happening. Since then I got daily panic attacks until I was 16/17 and saw a counsellor at college. She helped me understand what panic attacks were and how to change my thinking process. She taught me what to think during a panic attack and where to take my mind during anxiety. Since then my panic attacks became less frequent over time to the point now they are rare.

That was all well and good. Since then I still get panic attacks, but not of that definition. Rather non-fearful panic attacks which are out of the blue. They're harder to control because there's no anxiety or panic, or obvious reasons for it to be triggered. I try distraction techniques, relaxation techniques, nothing works. My body is in constant high alert with no 'off' button. They go as soon as I fall asleep at night, no matter what time of the day I get them (yes, even if I get it in the morning it sticks with me to the end of the day).

I did some research, yes very naughty of me, and came across something called 'Non-fearful Panic Disorder'. I am diagnosed as having Panic Disorder purely on the basis of having out of the blue panic attacks, but that classification definitely suits me better. At the moment it's not a recognised condition but I believe it's on its way of being so.

So I was wondering if you guys get these non-fearful panic attacks and how you get through them.

[Stormsky]

I've always believed you have an attack and then you panic.
Sometimes an attack comes out of nowhere, like the non fear type you said, and sometimes is due to a fear of something..or fear thoughts...
It's then you have a choice, whether you panic or not...
An attack to me is the initial physical symptoms, but a full blown panic attack would be once you start being scared of those initial symptoms, and start the what if thoughts..what if I'm dying, what if I pass out, what if I make a fool of myself. That leads to full blown panicking..
I don't let it get past the initial symptoms , I just try to ignore it.. And that way you don't add more adrenaline and panic..

On reflection, reading your post again, yes I've had the high Anx , constant symptoms, won't go away, no reason for it, I've had to go to bed at times just to sleep,it off...
So I agree it makes sense these non fearful attacks..

However you could still panic in those situations too, it's scary!

I'm sure I've read that once you've experienced panic attacks, you do feel anxious at times with no cause.
Perhaps our bodies are just over anxious at times now

[Regina]

This makes a lot of sense to me! I was thinking of asking a similar question about it. The first real bad attack I had a few weeks ago was all physical in nature where I almost passed out. I wasn't feeling scared or anxious, but very strong physical symptoms came on and that was what made me anxious because I thought I was gravely ill or dying.

There's also nothing specific that I fear or that I think of that brings them on most of the time. I've started thinking of them more as stress attacks. When I get overwhelmed or upset, the physical symptoms start and that in itself makes me anxious, like you said, Stormsky :)

I really don't know how to quell purely physical symptoms since talking myself out of them has been less than helpful other than repeating to myself that it will pass.

Glad to hear someone's else's story with it, though I hate to think of this happening to anyone else!!

~Regina

[Rennie1989]

In the past (and sometimes now) my panic attacks were caused by me panicking, which then triggered the symptoms. The attacks I'm talking about are physical symptoms which just appear (hyperventilating, tingling, chest pains etc) but I don't feel panic or anxiety and they don't cause them either. It's really bizarre.

[Regina]

I'm wondering if what's happening now is akin to this or what you're talking about. I'm at work and just can't get up. I'm not anxious, no palpitations, no chest pain right now, just a little dizzy (Very slight) and feel really heavy. My legs feel so heavy and I have to hold on to the walls to walk. I'm not having any rushing thoughts or adrenaline and I'm weirded out by it, especially because I'm at work right now, but I'm not panicking or anxious. Is this a panic attack? My feet are a bit tingly. I don't know what to expect anymore!

~Regina x

[Geo1]

Hi, I just came back from a visit at the neuropsychiatry department at the local hospital where I met with a specialist that confirmed I have non fear panic which is causing me anxiety and atrial fibrillation symptoms whenever I am under attack.
I never even imagined anything like that... I googled the subject and here I am at your page.
I have been for 7 months on short term disability and just got back to work full time last week.
In the last 3 months the symptoms and chest pain and shortness of breath have completely gone, I have started going to the gym and walking on the treadmill.
Yesterday at the office I was under such stress that the symptoms just came back again and it made me even more panic and worry when I felt it's all starting again.
It's great to know what I have, I don't have to guess anymore
My doctor prescribed mindfulness as a lifestyle habit to help me cope with any attack.
I will be soon starting an 8 weeks course at the local hospital here.
Anyone has had a good result from mindfulness to help with non fear panic?

Thanks
Geo1

[xvolatileheart]

Just wanted to say I've been having these lately, too. I'm sure they're a result of the many many panic attacks I was having over the last 3 years. They substantially went away, and now I don't often have panic attacks but when I do they come from nowhere and I'm not really scared because I know what they are but I HATE how they feel!

[Rainygator]

I've gotten these a couple of times.

First, in high school I started to feel odd out of nowhere, next thing I know I am on the ground, hyperventilating with horrible cramps in my hands and shaking uncontrollably. The whole time my mind was just chill going, "Wth?!?"

It happened again a few months later and I was carted off to the ER. When it happens I have almost an out of body experience and can't communicate to the outside world.

I almost had a third one today, more than 10 years later, but I was able to stop it this time. I forced myself to control my breathing and not let it control me and by catching it early enough I think I was able to reverse the process. I have zero fear when this happens.

The best thing I can say, based on my own experience and zero medical training, is try to figure out how your body starts the process so that you can nip it in the bud early enough to regain control of yourself. If you can slow your breathing down hopefully your parasympathetic nervous system can kick in and you can avoid the inconvenience of the situation.