Key symptoms
Overwhelming sense of dread
Inability to breathe/hyperventilating
Heart palpitations
Dry mouth and/or throat
Chest and wind pipe closing up
Chest pain
Crying
Nausea
Feeling like they’re being choked
Sweating
Hot flushes
Chills
Dizziness
Pins and needles
Need to go to the toilet (for either)
Stomach churning
Pins and needles
Shaking
Shivering
Visions becomes like things are viewed through a fish-eyed lens
Feelings detached from the situation (depersonalisation)
Intense emotions
Lashing out (e.g. throwing things)
The number one thing NOT to do—unless those around your character having a panic attack are unsympathetic—is to tell said person to ‘calm down’. This makes them worse. Every time.
If the character knows they’re being irrational, it infuriates them. If they don’t know, it could make them panic further.
Panic attack triggers
Anything can trigger a panic attack. It depends on your character.
Some people suffer from panic attacks more than others. It depends on a) what their trigger/s is/are, and b) how often they’re exposed to it/them.
If your character has anxiety, the tiniest thing could set them off. There isn’t always a definitive answer.
If they’re of a nervous disposition, it could be something as minuscule as the way another character says something.
It doesn’t matter how confident or happy your character is. Panic attacks can affect anyone. All it takes is the right trigger.
It doesn’t have to be something they fear, it could be something they hate, or even something they love. Love can very quickly turn to fear/anxiety/panic if the character is in an unknown situation.
You’d be surprised how many situations can trigger fight or flight.
Overwhelming sense of dread
Inability to breathe/hyperventilating
Heart palpitations
Dry mouth and/or throat
Chest and wind pipe closing up
Chest pain
Crying
Nausea
Feeling like they’re being choked
Sweating
Hot flushes
Chills
Dizziness
Pins and needles
Need to go to the toilet (for either)
Stomach churning
Pins and needles
Shaking
Shivering
Visions becomes like things are viewed through a fish-eyed lens
Feelings detached from the situation (depersonalisation)
Intense emotions
Lashing out (e.g. throwing things)
The number one thing NOT to do—unless those around your character having a panic attack are unsympathetic—is to tell said person to ‘calm down’. This makes them worse. Every time.
If the character knows they’re being irrational, it infuriates them. If they don’t know, it could make them panic further.
Panic attack triggers
Anything can trigger a panic attack. It depends on your character.
Some people suffer from panic attacks more than others. It depends on a) what their trigger/s is/are, and b) how often they’re exposed to it/them.
If your character has anxiety, the tiniest thing could set them off. There isn’t always a definitive answer.
If they’re of a nervous disposition, it could be something as minuscule as the way another character says something.
It doesn’t matter how confident or happy your character is. Panic attacks can affect anyone. All it takes is the right trigger.
It doesn’t have to be something they fear, it could be something they hate, or even something they love. Love can very quickly turn to fear/anxiety/panic if the character is in an unknown situation.
You’d be surprised how many situations can trigger fight or flight.