Key Takeaways
- Passing out during a panic attack is possible but rare. The article explains that people commonly feel as though they are going to faint, but actual loss of consciousness is uncommon.
- Hyperventilation can contribute to feeling faint. Changes in breathing during a panic attack can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, tunnel vision, and a sense of instability.
- Panic attacks can feel medically dangerous. Symptoms such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, and dizziness can resemble a heart attack, which can intensify fear during an episode.
- Recurring panic attacks may indicate panic disorder and can be treated. The article discusses professional diagnosis and treatment options including psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, exposure therapy, holistic approaches, and medication when appropriate.
Question:
Is it possible to pass out from a panic attack?
Answer:
While it is possible to faint during a panic attack, actually passing out is rare. More commonly, people experiencing panic attacks feel as though they are about to lose consciousness because of dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, tunnel vision, or difficulty breathing. Changes in breathing, particularly hyperventilation, can contribute to these sensations and make the episode feel even more frightening. Panic attacks can also cause chest pain, rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, shaking, tingling, and shortness of breath, which may resemble symptoms of a heart attack. The article emphasizes that recurring panic attacks can sometimes be associated with panic disorder, particularly when episodes create ongoing anxiety or avoidance. Panic disorder is treatable, and professional support may include psychotherapy, behavioral therapies such as CBT and ACT, holistic approaches, and medication when clinically appropriate. Learning breathing and coping strategies can also help people manage symptoms when a panic attack occurs.
People who struggle with panic episodes often wonder: can you pass out from a panic attack? It can happen, but it’s rare. More often, the feeling that you’re about to faint comes from the intense physical symptoms of panic, and in some cases actual fainting may be related to hyperventilation during the episode rather than the panic attack itself.
These short but intense episodes can be scary and aren’t always immediately apparent as a panic attack. If you experience episodes of intense fear and anxiety, if you care about someone who does, or if you’re trying to tell panic attacks apart from another health issue with similar symptoms, understanding what’s happening can ease some of the fear and help you respond appropriately. Perhaps the scariest part of a panic attack is the sensation of losing control. Panic attacks feel like a severe threat in the moment, and it’s not uncommon to feel like you’ll pass out or that something is seriously wrong.
Below, we’ll look at what a panic attack is, its symptoms, whether it can cause fainting or loss of consciousness, how panic disorder is diagnosed, what to do during an attack, and which treatments can help, including psychotherapy and medication.
What Is a Panic Attack?
Panic attacks are the physical result of overwhelming fear and anxiety. These feelings don’t always escalate into a panic attack, but it is possible. Because panic attacks combine your mental and physical responses into one connected incident, they feel severe and dangerous in the moment. Truthfully, having a panic attack is uncomfortable and also has risks and dangers associated. The reason behind panic attacks is a flooding of stress hormones in the brain, including cortisol and adrenaline. Thus, panic attacks are related to mental health conditions that have symptoms of anxiety. These include anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder. It’s also possible to have co-occurring disorders and experience panic attacks.
Notably, panic attacks aren’t rare occurrences. A great many people experience panic attacks around the world and in the United States. An estimated 11 percent of people in the U.S. will have a panic attack at some point. In many cases, individuals will experience a few panic attacks throughout their lifetime in moments of heightened stress. Yet, some people have recurring and frequent episodes, even to the point of disrupting their lives. In this case, the panic attacks show a deeper issue, which could be panic disorder.
Can You Pass Out from a Panic Attack?
One reason why panic attacks are so distressing is because they can strike without warning at any time. You might experience tunnel vision and the feeling you’ll black out because you can’t get enough air. If you’re driving, at work, with friends, or in another inconvenient situation, this adds another level of stress. But is it possible to actually pass out from a panic attack, or does it just feel that way?
It is possible to faint due to a panic attack, yet it usually feels like more of a threat than it needs to. Passing out from a panic attack is rare, and most episodes briefly raise blood pressure, which makes actual fainting less likely. More often, a person feels faint because they’re hyperventilating rather than because they’re truly losing consciousness. Breathing too fast can expel too much carbon dioxide and alter carbon dioxide levels, which can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, and a faint feeling. In some cases, vasovagal syncope can trigger a sudden drop that leads to fainting, and heat, dehydration, or crowded surroundings can add to the risk, so feeling faint is not the same as actual fainting.
Why Panic Attacks Make You Feeling Like Passing Out
As mentioned, passing out during a panic attack is really rare. However, one major symptom of panic attacks is the feeling and belief that you’ll faint. This certainly heightens stress and anxiety because the idea of fainting is frightening. What happens is your breathing pattern changes when you’re in the midst of a panic attack. You might find it challenging to breathe normally and exhale more than you inhale. As a result, you don’t get enough oxygen into your central nervous system. Thus, you might feel dizzy, lightheaded, weak, and unstable on your feet.
Can You Die from a Panic Attack?
Panic attacks are frightening and alarming. They aren’t too commonly discussed, and as a result, people may not know what a panic attack looks or feels like. In connection, the first time a person experiences a panic episode, the fear of their symptoms adds stress to the whole situation and makes it worse. Notably, having a panic attack can make a person wonder if they are going to die. But in reality, can you die from a panic attack?
The answer is no, it is not possible to die from a panic episode. Your symptoms will be uncomfortable and alarming, but they aren’t life-threatening. Often, a panic attack may feel like a heart attack, but rest assured that you will be ok. In the moment, it’s important to remind yourself you aren’t in any danger.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Panic Attack?
There are many common signs and symptoms of a panic attack that can alert you you’re having an episode. You may experience some or all of these symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Disorientation
- Feelings of danger
- Rapid heartbeat
- Chills
- Nausea
- Headache
- Sweating
- Trouble breathing (hyperventilation)
- Lightheadedness
- Shaking
- Limb tingling
- Dizziness
- Ringing in your ears
- Shortness of breath
Panic Attack vs Heart Attack
Although the above symptoms may feel like a heart attack, are they actually close to the experience of a heart attack? There are certainly some overlapping symptoms between a panic attack and a heart attack. For example, chest pain, lightheadedness, nausea, rapid heart rate, and anxiety are shared symptoms. However, the big difference between a heart attack vs. a panic attack is the reason triggering it. Panic attacks are physical symptoms of intense mental stress, but the root cause doesn’t signal danger. On the other hand, heart attacks are caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart and can be life-threatening.
What Causes Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks are the result of having excess stress hormones triggered in the brain, and panic attacks happen as a sudden episode that can feel like a serious medical problem. It is fairly common to experience a panic attack at some point in your life, whether mild or more intense, especially when cognitive patterns lead someone to misread normal body sensations or physical symptoms as obvious danger. However, occasional panic attacks are different from repeated panic attacks, and unexpected panic attacks are more concerning when they recur because that pattern can indicate panic disorder, which is a mental disorder. This condition is an anxiety disorder that has symptoms of panic attacks that occur seemingly without a cause or trigger. It’s believed between 2 and 3 percent of people in the United States have panic disorder.
What Causes Panic Disorder?
The exact cause of panic disorder isn’t known, and most likely, the condition is rooted in a variety of factors, including irregular brain chemistry. For one thing, anxiety disorders like panic disorder are connected to family history and genetics. Individuals are 2 to 3 times more likely to have an anxiety disorder if their parent does. Also, panic disorder may be linked to childhood trauma. Unfortunately, having panic attacks can worsen your panic disorder. Eventually, a person might develop persistent worry, constant fear, and concern about further attacks, which can worsen their condition. It may seem like there’s no relief or solution when it comes to panic attacks and panic disorder, but they can be treated.
How Is Panic Disorder Diagnosed?
You will be able to get a diagnosis of panic disorder or another mental health condition from a mental health provider. The first step is making an appointment to speak about your symptoms. Also, you can receive a medical diagnosis for your panic disorder at Royal Life Centers. We will connect you with one of our mental health counselors to discuss your condition.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Panic Disorder?
One of the main symptoms of panic disorder is panic attacks. Further, other related symptoms of the disorder can include:
- Ongoing and regular anxiety
- Fear of being out of control
- Feelings of dread and danger
- Avoidant behaviors
You may experience panic attack hangovers, which refer to the exhaustion, aches, pains, and upset stomach you might feel afterwards.
How to Deal with a Panic Attack When They Happen
In the moment of having a panic attack, it can be difficult to remain calm and levelheaded. However, it’s important that you do, as remaining calm can help shorten your panic episode and reduce the symptoms. Undeniably, escalating anxiety in the moment only worsens a panic attack. Familiarize yourself with how to deal with a panic attack in advance so you’re equipped to help yourself get through it when it happens.
If you feel a panic attack coming, and while it’s happening, focus on taking deep breaths in and out. Focus on something manageable, like your breathing. Remind yourself you are not in any danger, and it’s unlikely that you will pass out. If you’re able to, drink some water and take a seat.
Further, to help prevent panic attacks from happening, find healthy ways to manage your stress and anxiety. Sticking with a regular routine can really help individuals find balance. Ensure your routine includes exercise, relaxation, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep at night. Notably, if you want to avoid certain places or hobbies for fear of triggering a panic attack, try not to restrict yourself. You might find yourself in the cycle of being afraid of your fear. This only worsens your anxiety and places limits on your freedom.
How Is Panic Disorder Treated?
Be aware that panic disorder can be treated, managed, and improved! The first step is receiving an official diagnosis so you understand your condition. Next, panic disorder treatment aims to reduce the frequency of panic attacks and manage symptoms through therapies that support both mind and body. At Royal Life Centers, our programming combines traditional psychotherapy with holistic therapy. Each guest receives a personalized treatment plan based on their needs. As a result, our guests achieve whole-body healing that improves their bodies, minds, and spirits. Treatment at a professional recovery center like Royal Life Centers is the most effective way to overcome your disorder. We equip our guests to manage their symptoms by teaching them tools and skills, with talk therapy as one part of panic disorder treatment; DBT can also improve emotional regulation. Yet, we also prepare them with what to do when they are triggered.
Research-based Psychotherapy for Panic Disorder
Research-based psychotherapy is the traditional therapy and counseling approach to mental illness. Typically, behavioral therapy is an effective treatment method for panic disorder because it has its roots in anxiety disorders, and cognitive behavioural therapy is a research-based talk therapy used to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. We offer various psychotherapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and exposure therapy. Dialectical behavior therapy can also help by building distress tolerance and improving emotional regulation.
Holistic Treatment for Panic Disorder
Holistic therapies treat the mind, body, and spirit consecutively, making them ideal for a condition like panic disorder. Understandably, panic attacks and anxiety symptoms have a great toll on both the body and mind. All of our guests participate in holistic treatment at Royal Life Centers.
Medication for Panic Disorder
We also provide a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for those who benefit from medication for their disorder. Panic disorder and panic attacks can be managed with medicine, including anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants. Your therapist will work with you to ensure the right dosage and medication and to prevent prescription abuse.
The Dangers of Benzodiazepines
Unfortunately, it is possible to develop an addiction to certain prescription medications if used outside of a prescription. For example, benzodiazepines, a common medication for anxiety disorders, can be highly addictive when abused. Entering our MAT program ensures safety around medication use to prevent the risk of drug misuse and addiction.
Find Professional Treatment for Panic Disorder
If you have recurring panic attacks or other mental health conditions that may need professional care, you likely live in a state of fear and anxiety. There’s no reason to continue living that way. We can help you manage your symptoms and overcome your anxiety disorder through a proven mixture of therapy and counseling that also addresses anxiety attacks. Additionally, our medication-assisted treatment program will connect you to medication that can help alleviate your panic attacks, including anti-anxiety medications when appropriate after assessment by your treatment team and care guided by National Institute of Mental Health-informed standards. Please reach out to our admissions at Royal Life Centers to discuss entering treatment.
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