Did i have a panic attack?

7 Comments

I work at a retail store, and I recently learned how to use the register. I can do basic stuff like doing a sale, but doing returns, and learning how to accept checks and other stuff is still difficult for me. The second official time I did the register, which was a few days ago, it was during one of the busiest times of the day, and I was at the very first register. I was tired, I was having cramps since it was the beginning of my period, and I didn't know what I was doing most of the time, and I felt like I wanted to cry.

All of a sudden, my head felt like it was swirling; I could barely feel my fingers on the keys; I could barely hear what my customers were saying, and I felt this uncomfortable surge throughout my body; my whole body felt hot; and I felt like I just could have collapsed. Even though it only lasted a few minutes, I still felt sick afterwards, but I don't think I showed any sort of physical signs that I was having some sort of mental attack or something. Whatever it was, I never felt so horrible in my whole life- I never want to feel that way ever again.

So, did I have a panic attack, or what was it?

Yes 14
No 5
No, it was an anxiety attack 13
Maybe 6
I don't know 9
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Comments ( 7 )
  • myownopinions
    11 years ago

    According to the DSM-IV-TR, a panic attack is characterized by four or more of the following symptoms:
    1.palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
    2.sweating
    3.trembling or shaking
    4.sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
    5.feeling of choking
    6.chest pain or discomfort
    7.nausea or abdominal distress
    8.feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
    9.feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization)
    10.fear of losing control or going crazy
    11.fear of dying
    12.numbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias)
    13.chills or hot flushes

    Also, an "anxiety attack" is used interchangeably with a panic attack and is not classified in the DSM-IV-TR (or at least that's what I read from the internet).

    I think what you felt was just a sudden rush of blood to your head or something.

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  • coffeebreath
    11 years ago

    What you described sounds very much like a panic attack. They occur out of the blue and can be very scary. You need to see a doctor to determine if the attack was triggered by an underlying physical problem, and if it wasn't, see a mental health specialist. And do this as soon as possible; you don't want to experience another panic attack.

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  • Captain_Kegstand
    11 years ago

    It seems like you had a very short, mild form of an anxiety or panic attack. If it was a panic attack to the full extent it would have been much worse! I suggest talking to a doctor if this happens consistently, as it is a problem that is extremely easy to manage!

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  • RinTin
    11 years ago

    Ive felt like that when I've been extremely anxious and stressed out, but I don't think it was a panic attack.I've had a few and you basically start to panic and your heart races and then you can't breathe. It happens pretty quick I actually just had one a few days ago when I received my hospital bill. Hahaha

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  • Shrunk
    11 years ago

    it sounds like something else almost an out of body experience... I have a panic disorder and for me a panic attack is triggered by something specific and you get all shaky and feel like you're going to die, heart pounding, nausea, mind racing with thoughts telling you how to stop it, you want to get out of there as quickly as possible, geez even describing it now is making me all nervous haha. I think maybe you were having a hypoglycemic(low blood sugar) attack, I get those too it's from lack of food-energy in your case probably due to your period, just make sure you eat enough carbohydrates and protein, before and/or during work

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  • Aleks85
    11 years ago

    I have anxiety disorder and this sounds like some symptoms of a panic/anxiety attack. Did you feel like you were having trouble breathing at all? Was your heart racing?

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    I don't believe it was. I suffer mild panic attacks and it's nothing like that for me.

    The fact you were on your period is important, I've felt ill like that before while menstruating, I wanted to throw up and the world was hot and spinning.

    Panic attacks usually involve feeling your chest tighten, an urge to run away, feeling scared and sweating.

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