Is this a Panic Attack?!

Is this a Panic Attack?

I am 14 and only during summer or vacation, i get what i suspect to be panic attacks. However, the symptoms what i have are different, as what i get during these supposed panic attacks is a intense sensation in my chest as if a plane has dropped several hundred feet...is this a panic attack...thank you...btw i do have anxiety/depression....THANK YOU ALL!!!!

Yes, it does sound like a panic attack, but check with your doctor. If it is a panic attack, make sure you are breathing properly. This will control your panic and anxiety. At the moment, when you feel anxious, you begin to breathe more rapidly (or yawn or sigh). This extra intake of oxygen makes you feel even more anxious – and you start breathing even more rapidly. This cycle continues until you hyperventilate and have a panic attack.

The good news is you can stop this cycle! As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, sit or lie down. Then breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better. (Books and psychologists can explain it a lot better than me!) Once you start practising, it’ll become second nature.

Also I would really, really advise a course of Cognitive Behavioural therapy. CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks. It takes a bit of work, but if you put the effort in it’s super effective.

You can speak to your doctor and parents about doing a course, or you can take a course for free online at: http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/elear... (A ‘prettier’ version of this type of programme can be bought at www.thewellnessshop.co.uk). If you don’t like computers, the best book is Dr Robert Burns, The Feeling Good Handbook which teaches CBT (it’ll also tell you breathing techniques). It is brilliant and used by many psychologists.

All I can say is CBT changed my life. My panic attacks (after 15 years of them) have been virtually eliminated. I also did relaxation exercise tapes 2 or 3 times every day for a year.

Remember that you always have the power to stop your panic attack!

Good luck! I hope you start feeling better really soon.