Hello A...: This certainly sounds as though it must have been a terrifying experience for you. I'm so sorry you had to endure it. I occasionally have similar sorts of experiences... but of a milder variety.

I guess I don't even really have panic attacks as such. I simply get progressively more nervous & uncomfortable the longer I'm out in public. I typically know what's going on & I am able to work my way through it. Then, once I get home, I just find I'm particularly worn down & need to rest.

I also can't say that I've experienced any particular episode of paranoia along with these episodes of progressively heightened anxiety, although there can clearly be an element of paranoia in the mix. (I've just recently gone off of the Duloxetine I was on for over 2 years. Just last night, I had a rather intense episode of paranoia for a period of time. But this was while I was in bed trying to get to sleep. Anyway, the point being I'm not unfamiliar with the experience of paranoia either.)

I'm not sophisticated or knowledgeable enough, with regard to panic attacks or episodes of paranoid delusion to say if that is what you experienced. It certainly makes sense to me, given what you described. I just thought I would share with you the experiences I do have that seem similar albeit milder.

I hope you are feeling better...