Getting kinda sick of people laughing and saying “Omigod, I almost had a panic attack.”

Panic attacks are horrifying. I feel like I’m literally dying. My pulse is 170bpm and I can’t breathe. My legs go numb.

They’re not a synonym for “anxiety” and they’re not a fucking joke.

Panic attacks can be humiliating if they happen in front of others.

The memories of them haunt you long after they’re over.

You start avoiding places/things that remind you of where you were when they happened.

And worrying about having another one makes them happen even more.

Sometimes panic attacks come out of nowhere.

I’ll be working, not stressed or thinking about anything in particular... and suddenly my pulse spikes.

My throat tightens up. My stomach feels like I’m on a roller coaster.

I try not to think about it, which only makes it worse.

tw: death, dying

While having panic attacks, I was convinced I had a blood clot that was about to go into my brain and kill me.

I knew, logically, that wasn’t what was happening.

Logic doesn’t matter in those situations. Fear just... takes over.