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When panic strikes

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For me, a panic attack is almost a violent experience. I feel like I'm going insane. It makes me feel like I'm losing control in a very extreme way.

My heart pounds really hard, things seem unreal, and there's a powerful feeling of impending doom.

Between attacks there's dread and anxiety that it's going to happen again. It can be very debilitating, trying to escape those feelings of panic."

These are the words of Brian, who suffers from panic attacks.

Today is Panic Awareness Day - look out for these symptoms

  Sense of being overwhelmed by fright and terror with accompanying physical distress for between four and six minutes
  Racing or pounding heart
  Chest pains
  Dizziness
  Light-headedness
  Nausea
  Difficulty breathing
  Tingling or numbness in the hands
  Flushes or chills
  Sense of unreality
  Fear of losing control, going "crazy", or doing something embarrassing
  Fear of dying

Find out more and where to get help.

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