Does anyone suffer with panic attacks?

I've only ever had one. It was kind of poetic justice because I had for years had derogatory thoughts about a good friend of mine who has them. I know from experience: when it happens you're kind of screwed.

You utilize the "breathe in your nose and out your mouth" tactic when you get them I presume?

Unless you've got IV Ativan I'm guessing it takes at least 15 minutes for your meds to become effective?

It sounds crazy, but when I had them I would hold my breathe. Also, put a number on how panicked you are and try to view it as an outside observer. Welcome it, challenge it, embrace it. You're not going to die, so treat it like the passing inconvenience it is. Dreading it makes it ten times worse and puts it firmly in the drivers seat.

Also, I started taking a beta blocker for them. If I'm going into a stressful situation, it controls the physical symptoms.

ETA: And NEVER avoid a situation because you think you might have one. At that point, you're admitting defeat and letting it dictate the terms of your life. Think of them as a separate adversary in which you're in competition with.

I deal with mild ones every once in a while. I usually just ride it out by holding my breath, but the biggest help now is having dealt with them enough to realize it's temporary and I'm not going to die.

I've had 3 full blown attacks with the first two ending in emergency room visits. The first one came out of nowhere and was one of the scariest physical sensations I've ever experienced. Was standing in my living room looking out the window one morning and all the feeling left my body at once. I had the sensation of being detached or that I was leaving my body. I managed to gather myself enough to get to the couch. Tried to calm down but I was sweating, shaking, dizzy, and my heart had gone from 0 to 60 almost instantly. I thought I was about to die. I had another one at work a coupper of weeks later and had someone drive me to the emergency room. Saw a cardiologist to rule out heart issues which I had none. I have to watch it when I drink because dehydration/hangover is.a major trigger for me. Same thing happens if I overdo it on sweets. Had one too many Krispy Kreme donuts driving home one night and the sugar high trigerred my last one. Had to pull off on the side of the road. If dehydration contributes to yours try drinking Gatorade if you feel like one is coming on. The electrolytes help.