Panic attack

[Callwaiting]

Well I'm not sure if this would count as a panic attack or not, but something really strange happened today. I was in the shower before anyone else had woken up, and I heard this squeeking noise over by the door and saw a small flicker of shadow.
I started thinking really weird thoughts like someone's going to come in with a knife and kill me, or there's an escaped mental patient who's about to strangle me. I started breathing really fast and my heart was beating so fast it hurt. I could hardly move for fear I'd make a sound.

Obviously I was panicking over nothing, but at the time it seemed so real that my life was at risk.
So I wanted to ask someone whos had one before, is this what a panic attack is? I didn't curl up on the floor and start shivering or anything, but I was just pumping adrenaline, my muscles all clenched up and I started breathing crazily.

[alsoknownas]

survival instinct maybe :S

When we are vulnerable or alone or don't feel safe we over react because when our instincts were made usually there would be something there.

In the shower, you are trapped naked and not in much of a position to defend yourself so its normal to get easily spooked but i have not had this problem.

I think someone may have been watching too many horror movies?

[Sapphire]

What you experienced was not a panic attack. It was the fight or flight reaction. Your body was preparing itself to either fight an enemy or run away from them. When this happens your heart beat quickens, you get a rush of adrenaline and your blood vessels dilate.

It is not abnormal to think about the things you were considering (intruder with a knife etc) but next time, just remind yourself that you don't live in a crappy teenage American horror film. There are not knife wielding maniacs waiting around every darkened corner.

[Callwaiting]

Wow that's a relief, I don't want panic attacks on top of everything else.
And I hate horror movies, I think it's just my overactive imagination.

[George678]

I have had it before dont get scared it is natural I think...

[thiscityisdead]

thats not a panic attack at all, i sometimes do that after a really real feeling horror movie lol, my g/f has panic attacks and its frightneing to tell you the truth,

[legend247]

i know what you mean i felt similar when i was reading it, lol
i have had this many times

[wavey]

I feel like this sometimes, i mean, i subconciously think that the computer is playing music when its off and i hear it in my head sometimes, (yeah 5years of spammed volume)


cant beat the classik :)

and i feel sum1 is upstairs sometimes, if this si the first or its happened two or three times before, its ok, but if its regular occurance, see a physcologist.

[smith.ross]

There are some good resources out there. One I came across recently was on a lot of topics related to better living with hypnosis. You can sure give it a try. Here is the link http://www.betterlivingwithhypnosis.com/hypnosis_promo.html. I also noticed that they are offering a free mp3.