Thank you!!!

[Emmas Mom]

You have no idea how relieved I am to know that the paleness, tremors, and heart palpitations are normal for panic attacks.  The weird thing with my panic attacks is they come on out of nowhere usually.  Most of the time I get a panic attack when I am not stressed at all.  Is this normal?

[Jade59]

The very second you start to feel your heart pounding or whatever happens first for you, take the Xanax and then start some deep breathing.   I had panic attacks when I first quit smoking and I remember thinking I could get through it without any meds or maybe it's not going to become full blown this time, but it always did, so I learned to take the xanax as soon as I felt it starting.  Also, if you look up CaliGirls jounal you will find some exellent breathing techniques she has so kindly listed for our sakes.  

Hope this helps some....

[Emmas Mom]

How to you guys deal with it when it comes on out of nowhere?  I have .25 xanax but sometimes that takes 1/2 hr to 45 min to kick in.  Any tips on how to deal in the mean time?  It is so hard to deal with when it happens at work.  I just want to run outside and I freak out and cannot be alone.  

[shelzmike]

It is not weird at all, in fact, it it why what we have is panic disorder as oppesed to simply panicking in "normal" circumstances. You may not feel overly stressed at the time, but your sympathetic nervous system may be - there may even be a trigger, but it happens SO fast that you do not pick up on it.

Mike

[nakuru]

I think it is normal .. this is exactly how mine happen almost every time. I will just be fine and it will hit me like a ton of bricks. I always heard they stem from anxiety and so I didn't know what I was having was a panic attack. But yes, it is completely normal.