Can a panic attack make me faint?

It’s very unlikely. During panic, your heart rate and blood pressure tend to go up, while fainting usually happens when blood pressure drops.

Why do I get panic attacks out of nowhere?

Attacks can feel random, but they often follow stress, poor sleep or caffeine, or start when you notice a body sensation and get scared of it. A therapist can help you find your patterns.

Is it OK to carry things that make me feel safer?

At first, yes. Over time, therapy can help you learn you can get through an attack without them. If you take medication for anxiety, follow your doctor’s advice.

Panic attacks: what’s happening, and what to do in the moment

What a panic attack is

A panic attack is a sudden rush of intense fear that usually peaks within about 10 minutes and then starts to ease. It can bring a pounding heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, shaking, sweating, tingling, nausea, or a feeling that things aren’t real. Many people are sure they’re having a heart attack, about to faint or losing control.

Panic attacks are common: up to a third of adults may have one in a given year. They’re frightening, but they aren’t dangerous.

What your body is doing

Panic is your body’s alarm, the fight-or-flight response, going off when there’s no real danger. Your heart speeds up to send blood to your muscles. You breathe faster to take in more air. Your senses sharpen. Each of these changes is designed to protect you.

The trouble starts when the sensations themselves feel like the danger. “My heart is racing, something must be wrong” adds fear to fear, and the alarm gets louder.

What to do in the moment

Name it. Tell yourself, “This is a panic attack. It feels awful, and it will pass.”
Stay where you are if you can. Leaving teaches your brain that escaping is what saved you, which can make the next attack in that place more likely.
Slow your breathing. Breathe in gently through your nose, then out slowly, a little longer than the in-breath. Don’t gulp air.
Let it float. Instead of fighting the sensations, notice them with curiosity and let them rise and fall, like a wave you’re floating over.
Ground yourself. Use your senses to come back to the room. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 trick.
Carry on, gently. When the peak passes, go back to what you were doing if you can. It shows your brain the attack didn’t stop you.

Panic attack, or something medical?

If you have chest pain or trouble breathing and you’re not sure what’s happening, especially the first time, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. It’s always OK to get checked.

Once a doctor has ruled out other causes, you can be more confident that future attacks are panic, which makes it easier to respond calmly.

When panic becomes a problem

One panic attack doesn’t mean you have panic disorder. Panic becomes a problem when attacks keep coming, when you spend a lot of time worrying about the next one, or when you start avoiding places like stores, highways or crowds in case one happens.

Panic is one of the most treatable anxiety problems. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps you understand the panic cycle, test the fears behind it and, step by step, return to the places you’ve been avoiding.

Sources

This article is general information, not medical, legal or insurance advice. For advice about your situation, talk to your health care provider, your insurer or a lawyer.