Do you know what a panic attack looks like?

What a panic attack can look like.

1️⃣ Not all panic attacks look the same. Symptoms vary from chest pain, to a choking sensation, to intense fear and derealization. Sometimes, you won’t even know someone is having one.

2️⃣ Panic attacks are common. Every year, about 1 in 9 Americans experience a panic attack. You are not alone! However only a small percentage of them develop panic disorder, which consists of recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, persistent concern about additional attacks, and a significant in behavior related to the attacks.

3️⃣ Treatment exists! Therapy, medication, and other options exist to combat panic attacks. There is hope ❤️

📒 Source: National Institute of Mental Health, Cleveland Clinic

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About Me:
Name: Jake Goodman
Degree: MD, MBA, PGY2 Psychiatry Resident

DISCLAIMERS:
- Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
- My content is for educational and marketing purposes and should not be used in place of therapy or treatment

[Tatianna]

I went shopping with my sister and I didn't realize she was having a panic attack from having to interact with sales associates until I asked her to ask one a question and she couldn't do it. She had been going through it the whole time and I hadn't know. From then on I learnt and noticed her signals and things she did when she was having one.

[cuddlebunny]

Watching my mum have a panic attack was the worst night of my life. Really scary. Can't imagine how it must have been for her and she still came later to comfort me.

[ihithyatottempudi]

y'all here feel like my family....we are fighting the same battles in different forms....god bless u all and i mean it...!!

[marythr]

When i was a kid, I used to get the second type a lot. Feeling as if I was inside a body/container that was “not really me”, kind of like an impostor pretending.

[rukia]

I really appreciate that you show what panic attacks can look like in different ways. Just because we look ok to someone does not mean we are ok.
I try to remember this with other people too, bc it’s easy to forget. I really love your channel and that you put yourself out there to explain things like stigma and especially the medical field. Patients just assume I am ok and I am not hurting physically or mentally. I’m not a Dr. But I am in the medical field.
Thank you again for posting what you do- you help us all feel a little bit more “ok” with ourselves I think☺️

[jennifertaylor]

Thank you! It’s exhausting not just dealing with an anxiety and panic disorder, but also defending myself because people don’t understand or believe that panic attacks can lie beneath a calm demeanor.

[ineffablefallen]

so this just made me realise.. i have panic attacks way more often than i thought.

[drhulk]

I have intense sweating, heart rate increase, chest pain, weird feeling in hands, sometimes tunnel vision, feeling like i'm going to die.

[stephaniemay]

Also waking up from a dead sleep... For no reason I would wake panicking, it was the worst time of my life. I was afraid to sleep

[caedis_why]

I would always get the second “type” and would just describe them as mini because I get them so frequently especially at school. But thanks for educating me!

[too_tired_for_this]

Yup! I’ve been having them at work. I seem “fine” (I guess???), but they make me dissociate, and I’ve had to manage derealization episodes. It sucks.

[misscypher]

Hey Jake, I know you probably won’t read this but I just wanted to say thank you for all of your hard work! I failed biochem which really ruined my GPA, then attempted it again but withdrew since I couldn’t handle another poor grade. Currently a rising senior who sometimes feels hopeless, but your story always reminds me that everyone’s journey to becoming a doctor is different, and that’s okay! Thank you for reminding me that mistakes and numbers do not define my value :)

[chessyhappysushi]

i used to get the second one you described a loooot but it got better thank whoever made it get better honestly
keep going y’all

[PetThePeeves]

I love this. They started at 11 and I’m 36. They never stopped, I just cope better. And that second one? That’s me at work. My students won’t know I’m having one. And they should t, because they should feel I’m the stable and constant in the room. I’ve learned to mask very, very well. And over time the physical symptoms, even when not at work, have become much less noticeable. It doesn’t make them any less brutal, but it does give me confidence that I can handle it. And it also helps to be able to remind myself that I’ve had probably thousands and maybe 50 of those were obvious in public. When it got to the point where I wouldn’t leave the house I accepted the CBT was my best ally. Everyone is different.

[ameliaXbrehaut]

I find myself more like the first one when having a panic attack and the second one is closer to having an anxiety attack for me

[simonefilter]

"Fear of losing control of your mind'
...
I.. I can't even describe how much I relate to this! I thought, I didn't know that that can also be part of the panic attack!! It explains so much!

Edit: I also can't describe how it feels..

[carleygarza]

thank you for raising awareness for mental health!

[norie]

What a beautiful demonstration! 🤩👍 Informative.

[AfterMEokayy]

I've never experienced a panic attack in my life but I hope you guys stay ok
This sounds horrible

[lizb]

I've asked for help so many times from my Dr I just can't take it anymore. I feel like the only way he'll take people with mental health problems seriously is if I drop dead in his office