Panic attack?!

[amyleigh33]

Does anyone know what a panic attack or an anxiety attack feels like? Does anyone know if they are common in pregnancy or anything to worry about?

Now that the baby has dropped a bit, I can breathe much better generally; but last night when I was trying to sleep I started having this feeling like.. the only way I could think to describe it was when you're on a rollercoaster, and you've gotten to the top of a really steep incline, and you're about to go down but you freak out and want to get off but there's no way that you can... so you get that pain in your gut, and you can't breathe (at this point, on a rollercoaster, you'd probably scream because it's the only way you can seem to get air in our out)..? Does anyone KWIM? It was so weird and it lasted for a good 20 mins or so til I finally fell asleep (for a few hours, argh).

[Velvet005]

I had a panic attack once. It was really scary. I couldn't breathe and my heart was RACING!!! I thought I was having a heart attack. It was really scary. That is the only way I can describe it. Dh has had a few too. I hope your find some relief for your anxiety.

[BrooklynDoula]

That sounds like anxiety and horomonal shifts can cause them, so it is not too uncommon for women (8 out of 10 women in the US have them at some point in their lives).

[amyleigh33]

Wow, that's a lot. So I guess it's not really something to get too concerned about unless it persists...

[purplemamaaz]

I suffered from panic attacks for about 10 years before I got good treatment. Not to mention I'm a social worker in a hospital and work with people who have panic disorder all the time. Panic attacks are #1 reason for emergency room visits in this country. They are usually disguised as "chest pain" or "shortness of breath".

What you are describing sounds like it could have been one. However, I have talked to many people who have only had one or two in their entire life. I do think hormones can bring them on. I don't have them anymore but I did have two during this pregnancy which I found interesting. When I had them regularly I almost always had one if my period was coming or if I was getting sick.

If they do become a regular thing for you I wanted you to know they are curable for 95% of people with the right treatments.

I'm sure it was a one time thing but if not get help asap!

[Buttermilk]

Hey, I had a mini one last night as well. I was lying in bed having Bhs and they were getting a little uncomfortable. I'm 37+ weeks BTW, so it's still alittle early but I gave birth w/ DD after a night of uncomfortable Bhs.

Last night I got adrenaline rushes and almost had a panic attack. I used to have them in college... your heart beats fast and it seems hard to breathe so you have to get some fresh air and it still doesn't help and you panic and feel like you're gonna have to call someone to help and then it finally goes away.

It finally passed after many prayers and deep breaths and I was able to finally sleep.

It's been a long time since I have had one-years really. Maybe hormones