Can anxiety attacks actually kill someone?
Friday, March 5th, 2010 at
11:24 pm
I have anxiety attacks and sometimes have to go to the hospital for stroke like symptoms.. numbness, tunnel vision, black outs, cold/hot sweat, weakness etc. I finally figured out that it was my anxiety. but the last time it happened I was on bipolar meds and my hubby rushed me to the er because he said my lips were blue. it’s pretty scary. can I die from this if I didn’t have meds for it?
Filed under: Anxiety Attacks
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I don’t think it can actually kill you, but it can definitely cause you to pass out. Some of the symptoms you described (tingling, numbness, weakness) are caused by hyperventilation. Your nervous system gets overloaded with stress and you start breathing too fast and you don’t get enough oxygen. (Or maybe it’s too much oxygen, I’m not sure)…but in any case, it throws off the oxygen and C02 balance in your body and so you start feeling dizzy and all kinds of other symptoms. But you also get a sudden adrenaline rush and that causes a "Fight or Flight" response…you feel absolutely terrified. Your brain perceives a threat that actually isn’t there, and it kicks your body into overdrive to try to get ready for a threat. It’s like a false alarm and it doesn’t turn off.
A panic attack is absolutely terrifying. I’ve had problems with depression off and on since I was a kid. I went through a severe depression several years ago, and I’ve been having problems again. But this time, I also have a panic disorder. I had this really weird feeling of "dread" or "doom" like something bad was about to happen. Then I started having panic attacks almost every day. It’s horrible…you feel like you’re going crazy, and you feel like you’re becoming "disconnected" from the world. You feel disoriented. Sometimes you feel like you’re dying.
I don’t think it can actually kill you, but it’s disabling because your are so overcome with fear and you feel like you’re going crazy.
The big problem with a panic disorder if you don’t get it treated is that it can get worse and progress into other psychological problems. It can lead to agoraphobia, where you might be afraid to even leave the house. Thank God I never got to that point…but I can see how people can wind up that way.
If you are seeing a psychiatrist right now, you need to tell them what’s going on. A panic disorder can be an entirely different thing from whatever problems you have with bipolar depression. An anti-anxiety medication might help. I went back to counseling and I’m taking Xanax right now, and that has definitely helped. I don’t get that weird feeling of "doom" anymore and it’s been a while since I’ve had a full blown panic attack.
I don’t think a panic attack in itself can kill you…but all that stress definitely can’t be good for you long term.
By the way, I’m not saying that medication is the answer for everything, or that you’ll have to take pills for the rest of your life. I’m just saying that right now, you need to get this under control so you don’t feel miserable and you can get your life back on track.
No, you can’t die from feelings. Every book, site etc I have ever read/heard has always said, you can’t die from anxiety or panic attacks. I know, it’s hard to believe at the time but just remind yourself every time. No one has ever died from a panic attack.
Your lips were probably turning blue from yourself holding your breath. You can’t hold your breath to death. Eventually your own reflexes will make you breath again, naturally. Just remember to always breath and do it slowly in one of your attacks.
I don’t think that you will but it is probably possible like if you start hyperventilating and can’t breathe or something?
You really need competent, professional treatment for this condition. These symptoms are scary enough, but chronic anxiety eventually leads to other serious problems such as colon cancer and pulmonary disease.
You need to talk to a doctor and maybe attend a class on anxiety management and maybe read a book that a doctor or counselor could recommend. This question is too important to your health to rely on people here for information.
Take it from a pro hun I’ve had this for 15 yrs. you cannot die from anxiety..infact plenty of doctors told me i get a great cardio workout lol..yay good news..I know this crap can be like living in hell ..its very disruptive to our lives but we can learn ways to manage our symptoms and though therre are many scary symptoms the main ones are the ones we need to take care of..The breathing and the panic..if i sit here breathing really shallow fast breaths i start to get dizzy, my heart starts to palpitate i start to sweat..pins and needles , my vision goes funny and i feel like i’m in a freaking cartoon..so herre i msut slow my breathing and breathe deeper..like actually take in oxygen and i need to stop the racing negative thoughts so i walk around the house or i get a piece of paperr and i make some folds , jsut fold the dam thing while i focus all my attention on that paper..rip it up if you want,,scrunch it,,whatever jsut do something with those hands so it keeps you from feeli8ng out of control ..slowly you will relax..making a camomile tea about now is great,,drinking it will relax you and stop the panic ..it really works
I assume you are bipolar since the doc put ou on bipolar meds cause they definately do not prescribe those forr anxiety or panic disorder..make sure that you are meant to be on that medication..you really might do better with therapy and or anxiety meds for a short time,,remembe anxiety meds are addictive..xanax and valium do offer relief and are helpfull while you are doing therrapy aswelll..they can help break that barrier that might be stopping you from getting further help. Like some ppl might need the anxiety meds ot help them get to and from the therapist office.
I jsut really hope you can gett help managing your anxiety..take one day at a time..some days are good and some not so good but we cope.quote:.whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger..can’t remember who said that but they were wise.