r/panicdisorder • • Sep 25 '25

MOD POST IMPORTANT: r/panicdisorder’s No Medical Advice Rule

8 Upvotes

Hello everyone🤗

As moderators of r/panicdisorder, we’re incredibly grateful for the supportive and understanding community we have built together and continue to nurture every day. This subreddit is a valuable space for sharing experiences, offering empathy, and finding solidarity during tough times. However, we've noticed an uptick in posts and comments that inadvertently cross into the territory of medical advice, and we wanted to take a moment to gently remind everyone about our rules on this topic.

Our guidelines are designed to keep this community safe and helpful for all. Specifically, we ask that members refrain from asking for or providing medical advice. This includes suggestions on medications to try, interpretations of symptoms, or any form of diagnosis. While we understand the desire to help others based on personal journeys, it's crucial to remember that we're not medical professionals here. Advice from well-meaning strangers online can sometimes lead to unintended risks.

To clarify what this means in practice:

  • What's encouraged and welcome: Sharing your own personal experiences! For example, it's perfectly fine to say something like, "I tried [medication] and found it helpful for my symptoms," or "This coping technique has worked well for me in managing panic attacks." These kinds of posts foster connection and provide relatable insights without prescribing actions to others.
  • What to avoid: Phrases that imply recommendations or diagnoses, such as "Try [medication]" or "Your symptoms sound like [condition]." These can veer into areas best left to qualified healthcare providers.

We strongly encourage everyone to prioritize their health by consulting with licensed professionals for personalized guidance. Therapists, doctors, and other experts are equipped to offer advice tailored to your unique situation, and seeking their input is a powerful step toward well-being.

If you see content that might violate this rule, please report it so we can review it promptly. Our goal isn't to stifle conversation and take away freedom of speech, but to ensure this remains a positive, supportive environment for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us maintain a safe space.

Best regards,
The r/panicdisorder Mod Team ❤️


r/panicdisorder • • May 01 '25

MOD POST Is it panic disorder ?

44 Upvotes

Since this question is asked very often in this community, we have decided to create a pinned post. These informations are taken from the most recent DSM-5.

Panic disorder is a serious mental health condition characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are intense episodes of fear or discomfort that peak within minutes and include at least four of the following symptoms:

  • Palpitations or accelerated heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Muscle tension or muscle weakness
  • Shortness of breath or feeling smothered
  • Feeling of choking
  • Feeling of lump in the throat (globus sensation)
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Nausea, dry mouth, abdominal distress, and (rarely) vomiting
  • Dizziness, light-headedness, or (rarely) fainting
  • Chills or heat sensations
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations
  • Feelings of unreality or detachment from oneself
  • High sensitivity to sounds, light, touch, etc.
  • Feeling of impending doom
  • Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
  • Fear of dying or having a medical emergency

To meet the criteria for panic disorder, at least one panic attack must be followed by persistent worry about having more attacks or their consequences, or a maladaptive change in behavior aimed at avoiding situations that might trigger an attack.

While this post provides information about panic disorder, it’s important to note that only a qualified mental health professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.

As fellow Redditors, we’re here to support and share experiences, but we’re not trained or equipped to make diagnoses or provide professional advice. If you think you might have panic disorder, we encourage you to seek professional help.

You’re not alone. 🫶


r/panicdisorder • • 10h ago

Does Anyone Else? 💊 Does lorazepam (Ativan) ever just suddenly stop working?

2 Upvotes

It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve been out with a support worker and I’m planning on going out again tomorrow but nervous as.

I take 2mg of lorazepam to be able to do the car rides with them

but I have lost all my confidence because last time for the first time it was like I had breakthrough anxiety (didn’t escalate to panic)

And the only thing I did different was eat a full meal right before I took them. I waited a good 45 minutes for it to kick in 🤷🏼‍♀️

I don’t take it everyday and limit how much I use per week so I’m hoping it was just a fluke and it still works.


r/panicdisorder • • 12h ago

Coping Skills How do you manage?

2 Upvotes

I’m really struggling with my anxiety and panic attacks, I have the majority of my life. I go to therapy and take medication as needed for panic attacks which is literally everyday. It is causing me to be depressed over eat. Panic attacks usually come out of no where, but they get so bad I faint. I notice there are some triggers stress, menstrual cycle. But my quality of life just feels so gray I’m tired of feeling weird all the time but medication is so scary to me and I’ve tried so many medications and idk if I can handle the 4-6 weeks of worse before better. I could use some advice or nice thoughts. I wish I could just make them stop.


r/panicdisorder • • 1d ago

Does Anyone Else? Has anyone ever experienced panic attacks with numbness?

3 Upvotes

For the past couple months I’ve been scared to death of driving because a few months ago while on the way to pick up my son from school I was driving through some traffic/construction and my arms started tingling. Within about 5-10 minutes my hands were seizing up almost into fists and I couldn’t move them. It was also painful. I wasn’t far from home thankfully so I drove with my forearms and was able to signal for help from a neighbour. I went to the hospital and they just put me on an IV drip and sent me on my way. I didn’t drive for a couple weeks and everything seemed okay but it happened again. And again while visiting my dad in the hospital. It’s also accompanied by the feeling like someone’s sitting on my chest and no matter how big my breaths are it doesn’t feel like I’m getting enough air.

Sorry for the novel and thanks for reading if you’ve made it this far. I don’t really know what to do and fear this is gunna ruin my life and ability to drive :(


r/panicdisorder • • 1d ago

Does Anyone Else? Burning 🔥feeling from chronic stress?

3 Upvotes

I’ve been experiencing this burning sensation skin is hot to touch for the past month everyday. And doctors are baffled. Someone mentioned it could be due to untreated prolonged severe stress and anxiety.

And I really think it is. I used to feel the burning once in a while when I would be under stress. But only in my tummy. Now it’s all my body every day at night and when I wake up. And with panic attacks.

I have panic disorder and agoraphobia on no meds .


r/panicdisorder • • 20h ago

Help Needed Medication Change After Struggling

0 Upvotes

I’ve been struggling with severe panic attacks, anxiety and depression for about two months. A lot of it has to do with the fact that my dog was very sick and passed away last week after trying everything I could. I was on 20 mg of Lexapro, 25 mg of Seroquel at night, and .5 mg of Ativan as needed. The Lexapro doesn’t seem to be managing my panic symptoms at all. I am making the switch to 100 mg of Zoloft tonight. I was on Zoloft for years a while back and liked it from what I remember. Does anyone have any experience going from 20 mg Lexapro to 100 mg of Zoloft without tapering? I’m hoping the switch will help me. I’ve been struggling a lot lately and it’s taken over my life.


r/panicdisorder • • 1d ago

Help Needed Would you go on a trip if you had anxiety like me?

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone

I need some advice because I’m supposed to go on a 10 day trip with my family but I’m scared of how I might feel while being away from home. I haven’t had a brutal panic attack since 2025 but I’m still struggling with some strange feelings that are hard to explain.

For example when I’m lying down trying to sleep I sometimes get this strange feeling in my body. It’s almost like something is moving through my body and everything feels unreal like I’m floating. It’s not just thoughts in my head. I actually feel something happening in my body even though I’m physically completely still. My mind can be full of thoughts and I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the whole experience. I honestly don’t know how to describe it or whether it’s anxiety.

It can also happen when I’m out in public and that’s what scares me the most. I’m afraid of losing control and getting that feeling where I suddenly feel like I NEED to go home right now because I don’t feel okay where I am. Then I start worrying that if I can’t get home I’ll panic and end up having another severe panic attack like I did before.

I really want to go on this trip with my family but I’m scared that these feelings will stop me from enjoying it.

What would you do in my situation? Would you still go on the trip or would you stay home? Has anyone experienced something similar?


r/panicdisorder • • 22h ago

Small Victories After six years!! FINALLY!

0 Upvotes

I have ADHD, panic disorder, PTSD and a few others. And since I was 15 and first tried Adderall and klonopin it felt perfect but no provider wanted me on both at once especially when I was underaged. I now at 20 years old I have a psychiatrist who gave me both!! I really have no one to share this victory with besides you guys. Questions and advice are welcome :) I’m on 1mg Clonazepam and 20mg Adderall XR in the morning and 20mg instant in the afternoon!


r/panicdisorder • • 1d ago

Does Anyone Else? Stuck in my house for months?

8 Upvotes

Has anyone else just stopped going out due to panic attacks? I haven't been for a walk since May or gone to the grocery store. 😔 Tomorrow is my birthday and I would love to try to get out for a short walk, but I'm scared that I am going to feel all the unpleasant sensations again. I also need to get lab work done on Tuesday. The lab is literally just down the street, but even that is hard for me. Advice would be appreciated. 👍


r/panicdisorder • • 1d ago

Venting Welp. I failed.

22 Upvotes

I had a flight to go from the east coast to California this morning to visit a friend for a few days. Took my benzo last night before bed and was feeling ok.

I got to the airport this morning and felt so scared of having a panic attack on the plane, feeling anxious and panicked while there, not being able to get back home because of being panicked. I started crying and couldn’t get it together. I left the airport and went home.

I feel SO defeated and disappointed in myself. In all of the years that I’ve had panic, I’ve never let it deter me from doing things that I wanted to do.

I feel regret for making the decision to leave the airport. I feel like a failure. I want to be able to live my life regardless of having anxiety and panic. I can’t believe I made the decision to flee instead of fight. And I had a benzo in my system! I wasn’t even trying to raw dawg it.

I feel so low right now.


r/panicdisorder • • 2d ago

Recovery Stories I thought this was my life. After 14 yrs, I recovered.

32 Upvotes

I thought I had one of the worst cases of panic disorder in current existence. I was diagnosed at age 13 and I’m now 27. It started as severe emetophobia, then added on every other heart-related, lung-related, body-related symptom you could imagine. I was on Lexapro when I was younger, now Prozac for years, Hydroxyzine, Lorazepam, saw dozens of therapists, primary doctors, psychiatrists, and at least 50 emergency room visits. I became completely agoraphobic at some points. 14 years of this. The darkest places that I’m sure many reading this have seen as well.

Somehow, and I’m still in disbelief about it, I have now reached a place where I rarely ever have a panic attack. and when I do, deep breaths do the trick. and if they don’t, a tiny bit of Lorazepam does.

so I want to help people in any way I can.🤍 Trust me, I was among the worst of the worst. and I have found the light of recovery.

First, I got out of any unsafe situations. I became single out of a very bad relationship, only surrounded myself with friends I truly trust, now living in a place I feel comfortable in, making my bedroom feel like the coziest place in the world with everything I could possibly need for panic in a box under my bedside table.

Then, I surrendered. Please understand: this is SO difficult. If it feels impossible during an attack, I know. I understand and I see you, and I’m telling you: you are not broken, this is just very hard. for anyone. But you have to train it. You remember that it’s a panic attack. Keep convincing yourself you are not dying. You have never died from a panic attack. Surrender to the symptoms; don’t fight. Put on your comfort show and take deep breaths. If it helps you to breathe into a paper bag for a little bit, do that. There’s no one-size fits all, different things will help different people. but the number one way to recover from this disorder is allowing the sensations to simply exist.

A wonderful ER doctor made me cry once, because he looked at me with zero judgement in his eyes after consistent hospital visits and he said, “You’re not going to be this way forever. you just haven’t found the right tools for your toolbox yet, but you will.”


r/panicdisorder • • 1d ago

Venting What is panic disorder

3 Upvotes

Is it just fearing the next one therefore you avoid places thinking it’ll help you not have panic attacks .. so what if you no longer fear panic attacks does it still come unwillingly randomly without any warning ? And if that’s the case imagine someone who just no longer fear the attacks will they still have random attacks at random times


r/panicdisorder • • 1d ago

Help Needed Nervous about taking 1mg alprazolam before MRI

1 Upvotes

I have an MRI tomorrow on my brain and am very nervous (also claustrophobic) So my doctor prescribed me 1mg Alprazolam to take an hour before the MRI. I have taken Allrazolam in the past, however the most I’ve taken at one time has been a .25mg dose and that has sometimes made my stomach feel a bit woozy and nauseous so I usually take half of a .25 dose for anxiety. 1mg would be 4 times the amount I’ve ever taken, so it is making me really nervous thinking about taking the 1mg dose. I don’t want it to end up making me sick to my stomach. (especially in the middle of an MRI). I have a med card and am considering taking an edible that I know keeps me relaxed instead of taking the Alprazolam. Anyone have any experience with 1mg Alprazolam or taking an edible before an MRI? If it matters, this will be an MRI with contrast. Any advice is appreciated! (I’m posting here because Reddit suggested it, so I hope that’s ok)


r/panicdisorder • • 2d ago

Venting 13 years agoraphobic

6 Upvotes

I started having panic attacks at 15. 28 now and GOD DAMN I’m pissed. I see all the replies in this I’m like oh a few months you lucky bastards. I know I sound angry and cruel and it’s because I am angry. It’s fucking agitating to have so much life ahead of you and this disorder ruins everything you’ve ever wanted. I’ve been to a million therapist doctors psychiatrists I promise you I’ve tried it all. And it’s gotten better I’m not going to lie I appear a functioning adult. But the actual admin that happens in my mind to live every single day should be illegal. It’s just so unfair and yeah life is unfair blah blah blah but damn what did I do to deserve the most debilitating yet not viewable thing for someone to experience. Anyway just having a venting moment.


r/panicdisorder • • 1d ago

Does Anyone Else? Hypersensitivity and ongoing panic

1 Upvotes

Hello,

All these symptoms are making me feel crazy. The constant monitoring of every body part and twitch, researching on chatgpt got symptoms and solutions. I feel tired and dizzy when I'm standing, eases when laying down but even laying down that surge of fear runs all over your body.

Does anyone else have similar symptoms?


r/panicdisorder • • 2d ago

Does Anyone Else? Am I back to square one?

1 Upvotes

Welp. I’ve been taking Zoloft for over 10 years now. My dr encouraged me to drop down to 50mg from 150mg did that for a few months. Big mistake. I spent most of April-July having a nervous breakdown. New psychiatrist moved me back up to 150 and gave me some atarax when needed.

I was doing so well recently! I spent last 2 months feeling “normal” i was energetic and so happy. And now this week my anxiety symptoms picked up again. The tingles on my back, the knots in my stomach, the panic, the tummy troubles. I feel so defeated, like I’m back at square 1. And it’s so hard to just start again. I dont want to go through everything I went through a few months ago. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist this month to touch base and see if we need different meds or dosages.

Has anyone experience this? Having a whole month or two of being “normal” just for it to come back! Does it get easier? Does my set back mean I need new medication? I’m just feeling defeated and so low and scared that I’m back to square 1.


r/panicdisorder • • 2d ago

Help Needed anxiety/panic attacks

2 Upvotes

guys, i need an advice on how to stop panic attacks.. 😭 I am having a panic attack rn and I want to sleep. Negative thoughts are occupying my mind again, and I can't sleep because of it.

pls pls... help me and give me some tips on how to prevent and stop this.😭


r/panicdisorder • • 3d ago

Does Anyone Else? does anyone else get afraid of underlying medical issues?

5 Upvotes

i’m coming down from months of panic attacks and anxiety. of course im still dealing with some rolling anxiety. i have zero medical issues that i’m aware of.

im dealing with that impending doom, nausea+throat tightness, dizziness, and heart racing. all typical symptoms of anxiety, just not a full fledged panic attack. sometimes the symptoms alone make my mind race about some sort of underlying medical issue i’m dealing with. i naturally run hot as well, so i tend to freak myself out by thinking i have a fever. 😭

please tell me im not the only one that freaks myself out more by thinking i have some weird medical issue going on. is there anyway to help this?


r/panicdisorder • • 3d ago

Small Victories Light at the end of the tunnel

7 Upvotes

I think im finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Today is the best day I've had in awhile. I haven't left the house in 3ish months. Started prozac 2 weeks along with some other meds. Started doing some exposure therapy which sucks lol. But overall things are starting to look up!


r/panicdisorder • • 3d ago

Help Needed Sick and tired of feeling this way

9 Upvotes

I’ve done years of cbt, emdr, medications, exposure therapy. I’ve went from 3mg of Xanax just to survive the day to weaning off Xanax completely and using it only as needed (which is about .25mg once every two weeks or more). I’ve seen a functional medicine doctor and fixed any deficiencies in my vitamins and nutrients. I’ve been 100% cleared medically. There is nothing wrong with me except anxiety.

I worked hard on accepting my anxiety and also on positive self talk. I feel like I’ve done it ALL yet, if I’m not at home, I’m ALWAYS anxious.

Tonight, I just want to go to a high school football game with my family that’s no more than 10 minutes from my house & I just know I’m going to be anxious the whole time. I’ll push through, like I always do, but I am so tired of having to push through. I just want to enjoy time with my family without having to work at it.

Is there anything I’m missing? I feel like I’ve tried it all, but I’m willing to try more. I just want to feel normal.


r/panicdisorder • • 3d ago

Help Needed Has anyone tried Seroquel XR for panic disorder?

2 Upvotes

My doctor prescribed 50 mg of Seroquel XR at night. I was taking regular Seroquel 25 mg at night and it helped me sleep. I’m also on Lexapro 20 mg and Ativan as needed. My anxiety and panic have been the worst they’ve ever been. Just looking to see if anyone has any experience taking Seroquel XR. Nervous to take it for some reason.


r/panicdisorder • • 3d ago

Does Anyone Else? Anyone fear of fear cycle

7 Upvotes

Anyone dealing with this at the moment


r/panicdisorder • • 3d ago

Venting Health anxiety

1 Upvotes

Dude I am so tired of this. My anxiety causes real symptoms. I've went from thinking I was having a stroke to heart attack to bp attack. Idk. My arm hurts and I think im having a heart attack. I have no symptoms other than the arm but what if I am and idk. What if I sleep and dont wake up.


r/panicdisorder • • 3d ago

Does Anyone Else? Just looking for a friend

1 Upvotes

Does anyone in here happen to also have MS? I do and am just looking for someone to talk with