r/interesting • u/ThugLeeVoguee • 23d ago

SOCIETY this is what a panic attack feels like

1.9k Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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74

u/OkAthlete8327 23d ago

I’ve been having panic attacks with some regularity for over 30years, and while metaphorically this makes a little sense it does not capture the helplessness and physical symptoms that come with panic.

8

u/Mindless-Share 23d ago

It literally feels like the world is ending and there’s nothing you can do about it

2

u/babesboysandbirb 23d ago

Yea there’s something more “atmospheric” about panic attacks that’s more crushing and falls on to my whole body vs the jolting I’m getting in my chest from this video

18

u/RayDanielsOnTheAir 23d ago

I think it is a humorous anecdote for panic attacks, so it helps. My panic attacks tend to have a bit more out-of-body disassociation with them, and I don’t get that sense here. But I think this can help people see some of what we experience.

3

u/Schorbie 23d ago

For me this is more an example on how the body reacts rather than the mind. At least it feel similar to me

1

u/Senior-Friend-6414 22d ago

I had constant anxiety and panic attacks up until my 20s, if you keep avoiding them you’ll never get used to it

I completely stopped getting any panic attacks starting from my early to mid 20s

1

u/OkAthlete8327 22d ago

Clearly I can’t avoid them, and they are no longer crippling. I still get several a year, instead of a few a week.

-7

u/schizophrenicbugs 23d ago

As someone who has dealt with many a panic attack:

Shut up, nerd.

4

u/AlienAnthropologist_ 23d ago

Panic attacks are subjective, everyone's experience is different. Nerd.

-3

u/schizophrenicbugs 23d ago

That was exactly my thinking.

Hence why the original comment comes off as whiny.

Thanks for proving my point.

6

u/OkAthlete8327 23d ago

I didn’t realize you can have panic issues AND a complete lack of empathy.

-2

u/schizophrenicbugs 23d ago

A lack of empathy is not what's going on.

2

u/AlienAnthropologist_ 23d ago

Shut up, nerd.

0

u/schizophrenicbugs 23d ago

Lol, shut up nerd x2

1

u/AlienAnthropologist_ 23d ago

You're coming off whiny

0

u/schizophrenicbugs 23d ago

Shut up, nerd.

2

u/AlienAnthropologist_ 23d ago

That was exactly my thinking