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how long do they last?

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how long do they last?

21 years ago 0 +0 / -0 31

Hi outlaw, My bad attacks will peak in about 20 mins..and the effects linger from 10mins or 2 or 3 days after my attacks..My Doc says that I have Panic disorder with some mild depression..and small signs of Agoraphobia. Before I knew what I had I wo8uld race to the ER everytime I had an attack...I have had 3 Ekgs and blood work done at 2 different Hospitals...Even after the first one it would not sink in that it was in my head. I have learned to coach myself when I feel them comming...which in time you will get to know what precurser feelings will lead to an attack. I know it sounds funny, but I talk to myself like I am talking to somebody else and I answer myslef, and bring myself down...I try and not take my Ativan unless I have to. Just keep in mind..your not going to die...We are all still here. I understand they are very scary, we all get scared as well. Just hang in there and do what your doctors say. Keep in mind while having an attack..that it's your body, and it should listen to you.sometimes that helps me...sometimes not...the point is When they happen..experiment with different things..like deep Diphram breathing..I won't go into it but you can read about it on this site. There are alot of coping methods on these boards that people use..give them a try. I'm sorry to hear that you are one of us, but you are very welcome here and from I have experienced very good company -Jay

21 years ago 0 +0 / -0 217

Outlaw, I agree with Danielle. What you are experiencing sounds like generalized anxiety. It was eating away at me several weeks ago and I thought I would lose my mind. My actual panic attacks only last 5 minutes or so. Its the aftermath (the anxiety) that bothers me more than anything else. Cheryl

21 years ago 0 +0 / -0 23

I hear ya. I have felt like this the last week. Just as soon as I think all is fine. Wham...there are those heart palpitations again and then instantly the flushing face and racing pulse. Then after an hour or two of all this...my heart rate drops, but I am left purely terrified that my heart will go into one of those episodes again. I feel "keyed" up, if I allow myself to stay this way in a state of terror...then the cycle starts over again...sometimes within only a few hours. I get into a vicious circle. Which comes first the palpitations or the fear of them? What I keep telling myself is that I have them often and otherwise besides extreme fear from feeling them nothing else is happening to me. Breaking that cycle is hard. have you seen a doctor to have workups? If they don't find anything, and even if they do it most usually is benign(not life-threatening.) I really am having palpitations, but they say they don't mean anything, that a lot of people have them. But heightened response to my bodily feelings makes me more aware of them. May be this is your case...but your Doctor can help you deal with them with medications one way or the other. If it helps to know I am, currently, in one of those week long attacks myself and trying to "dig" myself out. I've had them in the past for long periods to a time...very wearing and tiring. But I only get these long ones only once or twice a year. Last year I had none....just little 10-40 minute ones once a month or so. I hope it breaks soon for you. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

21 years ago 0 +0 / -0 80

First things first...check with your doctor! If he has checked you head to toe, ECG's, bloodwork etc and gives you a clean bill of health...you can be quite sure that it isn't your heart...you have to trust them. Another clue is that people who have a heart condition or problem, do not usually have panic attacks about having their condition. They are often concerned etc but are not OBSESSED with it like people with anxiety disorder. Being overly concerned with your heart is one of the most common symptoms of panic disorder.

21 years ago 0 +0 / -0 93

I can realte to what you are saying. Sometimes I have symptoms all day as well. I am not very old either. It gets really tough sometimes.

21 years ago 0 +0 / -0 433

i try but it seems like mine can last hours and day after day,i feel like im losing it sometimes i got a family to take care of im young guy this is not normal.. what is the diffrence between panic and heart problems?

21 years ago 0 +0 / -0 80

Hi there, I used to feel like my panic attacks lasted forever but if you rate your anxiety on a scale of 1-10, the WORST PEAK of the attack is really what a panic attack is. All the hours and days in between are generalized anxiety. Believe me, I know how bad that is too...it is awful. But, the panic attack itself cannot sustain itself that long. If you are in doubt...time it...and see. You may have MANY MANY peaks over a long period of time but each one of those, is an individual attack which doesn't last more than a several minutes. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly very very slowly. Over and over. It'll help. Danielle

21 years ago 0 +0 / -0 433

i read a panic attack should last like 15 minutes or so right?well im having the racing heart,chest pain,and scared,not myself thing going right now..mine last days on ened like 3-4 days in a row with little breaks inbetween very little is this possible?shouldnt they be shorter?well any response is a good one..p.s can anyone tell me how are we supposed to know the diffrence between heart attack and panic attack,or just something wrong with the heart im so scared...

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how long do they last?