[under_the_iron_sea]

After speaking with a counselor about this recently, I was told that what I'm having are panic attacks (she called them anxiety attacks, but I think they're the same thing?) I almost always get them during or after I wake up from naps in the afternoon. I feel like there is a knot in my stomach and butterflies in my chest. The feeling is extremely unpleasant and I can't shake it off on my own. Sometimes I feel a little out of it as well. But that's it. It eventually fades away, but I hate it and wish I knew how to find some relief sooner. But, I don't have the emotions of terror and helplessness that I thought usually go with these attacks. Any thoughts on if this is still a form of a panic attack? Or is this maybe something else?

Briar

[Junerain]

Do you remember whether or not your dreams, or thoughts, you have while you sleep are contributing to this?

[detachedangst]

Everyone experiences anxiety or panic attacks differently. Panic attacks are much worse then anxiety attacks. Mindfulness / meditation can be very helpful.

[waiting4]

If your counselor said it was, I'd go with it. It sounds very familiar as I was under a tremendous amount a stress this past fall and winter and had the exact same thing happening with me--got so bad I didn't want to sleep because waking up was so awful--and my T said that's what it was. I don't take meds, and refused an offer to get on them....I'd just try to make myself busy doing ANYTHING until it went away.

I know it feels awful...if you have a therapist or pdoc maybe you can get on some meds to help you thru..

Take care.

[Disorder7]

It sounds like some sort of anxiety related condition or reaction. It's not really what most people think of regarding panic attacks.
Everyone is different, but my panic attacks usually include shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, shaking, sometimes derealization...and well, extreme panic.