Panic attacks - how long should they last? Can they last hours & hours?!
Question: I have had panic attacks on & off for years. But my last one was months ago.
I had a really stressful night last night and started feeling like I was short of breath. It came and went but I finally went to sleep. Plus I was able to calm down some what. I slept ok I guess.
This morning though I am still feeling short of breath at times. I am still some what stressed but trying to move on.
Plus like past attacks I know it can be worse if you THINK about your breathing. So I try not to.
So how long can these last? Mine started I guess around 10:30pm EST last night. It is around 12:38pm now.
I've been trying to keep busy and keep my mind off things and that does help. But with 2 young children to entertain, house work and such it is hard to really RELAX.
Answers: I have had panic attacks on & off for years. But my last one was months ago.
I had a really stressful night last night and started feeling like I was short of breath. It came and went but I finally went to sleep. Plus I was able to calm down some what. I slept ok I guess.
This morning though I am still feeling short of breath at times. I am still some what stressed but trying to move on.
Plus like past attacks I know it can be worse if you THINK about your breathing. So I try not to.
So how long can these last? Mine started I guess around 10:30pm EST last night. It is around 12:38pm now.
I've been trying to keep busy and keep my mind off things and that does help. But with 2 young children to entertain, house work and such it is hard to really RELAX.
I get them too, but haven't in awhile. But when I did, I would feel like that for days as well and always wondered if it was normal. I think it is, because obviously we have both had the same issue. Of course them lasting for days would be considered a more severe attack.
It's so hard to give advice on them because t is so different for everyone. Like I couldn't even tell you how they stop for me, because I don't even know. It's just one month I notice I haven't had it in a long time.
Just try to take some time for yourself everyday to relax, if possible. Good luck!
One of my friends had a panic attack at school and she didnt "get back to normal" for about 3 days, her breathing rhythm was really really bad
SOME ARE BRIEF, SOME ARE HOURS, SOME ARE DAYS,
DEPENDING on the person!!!!
Panic attacks can last, sadly, for days. They can even wake you up out of a deep sleep. I would suggest getting on meds for panic attacks, like Paxil and also try counseling. If you're faith-based, you might try counseling through your local church or synagogue.
My panic attacks tend to wear off in about an hour or so. It depends on what I am thinking about. School related stresses last longer than my social based ones. I also heard that they are less intense if you do not focus on breathing. It works for me too. Try watching some TV or writing in a journal. Making lists help me too.
Depends on the situation and your ability to handle it. Breathing exercises help. Remove yourself from the situation (if possible). Tell yourself that you have complete control of your emotions and how you handle them. Call a Friend or loved one, someone you trust that is non-judge mental. Seek professional help if it persists and affects your daily life. You may need therapy and or medication. There is nothing wrong with getting a little extra help if needed. You are NOT a freak.
They can absolutely last long periods of time. Right before the end of my last college semester, I had panic attacks daily, which would, for the most part, last the entire day. My best solution was a bubble bath with lavender.
On the other hand, most medical info says they don't last "hours and hours", however, from my experience, that isn't true.
My heart goes out to you and your children. Good luck.
Number one start meditation,No.2, when you think it's coming drink a glass of water and do deep breathing,and I know you can avoid children but try to make a habit to take it quietly without any panic,I tell you with practice and with meditation you will be able to controls it,and better go to Doctor also and use some Madison in beginning and later you can stop medicine.Good luck.
I don't think there is a set time for a proper panic attack but mine are quiet severe and often last up to an hour. However I can maintain an emotional state of anxiety for several hours and get worked up into a panic attack if I don't break the cycle. Many simple things can set me off, a news bulletin, something some one has said, a negative thought.
I find distraction can be a useful technique, but by avoiding a thought or idea repeatedly, you set your mind up to believe that it something to be fearful about and gives it power to scare you.
It is better to stop, breathe long and slowly until you are centred and then confront the problem directly is a better solution. I usually use a piece of paper to sit down and work out how logical the source of my anxiety is, how realistic it is, the worse case scenario, the best scenario, what could I do change it, what would happen if I did nothing, etc.
Activity is a great way to dissipate nervous energy, doing things like exercise and house work are great because you can get into a rhythm and zone out in a zen like meditative state. Remember medication is a crutch for any mental condition and therapy is what really deals with the issues.
wow i have panic attacks too. mine started from my thyroid being over active i guess. have you tryed getting checked for your thyroid?i got a scan done and now im thypo under active so i dont really feel anxiety much.but when i would get them it would leave me all shacky all day.i bought a book on the net its called panic away it helps you a lot to get over them.there is this one move you do its crazy but it works.okay the one move is :just letting your body go through the whole thing on its own