Can you explain what a panic or anxiety attack feels like?

I’m not sure if there is a difference between the two. I have been having these weird pains for about a year now… I’m in a store or some place with a lot of people and my heart starts racing, breathless, and feeling like I need to vomit. I just feel so overwhelmed I have to get out of the place I’m at right away. I thought this was just because I was shy but I’m starting to wonder if it could be something more..

Panic attacks, which I used to get, are sudden, appear out of nowhere and are fairly short in duration (like under an hour). I thought I was having a heart attack because I felt like I couldn’t breathe (but air was going in and out), felt dizzy, heart started racing, etc. Its very scary and very physical. Anxiety is usually slower to arise and longer in duration and is very mental as well as physical. An Anxiety Disorder is a response that is disproportionate to the stimuli that often manifests itself in a fight, flight or freeze response. Like being so stressed out about a test that you can’t even study (freeze). Men often get angry and snap at people and pace (fight). Women often get depressed (flight/turn within). Anxiety can be over a specific event or occurance (anxiety over flying) or generalized. For more info the best basic source is the DSM IV which is probably available at your local library.

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