[xbeccamarie]

I'm 18 and I've had rather high anxiety for a long time, but I'm not sure if I've ever really had what qualifies as a panic attack before.
I've always been extremely anxious while driving on the highway and it makes me very nervous, but I've been trying to get comfortable with that by taking the highway more and more. Tonight, I was driving home on the highway- a trip that typically takes about 30 minutes- and about halfway there, all of the street lights went out. My anxiety flared up, but I did my best to keep it under control, however a few minutes later, it started pouring buckets and buckets of rain. There was thunder, lightning, and even a bit of flooding on the road. My windshield wipers couldn't keep up with all of the rain and i could barely see anything at all. I absolutely freaked out and suddenly it became very very difficut to breathe; my breaths were rapid and uneven. My throat went dry making it impossible to swallow. My heart was beating very loudly and quickly and my hands and arms were shaking. I was also crying uncontrollably and was absolutely terrified. I felt a little dizzy and was so scared, I didn't know what to do. This lasted for about 10-15 minutes until i finally got home and even then i had to sit in my driveway for 5 or more minutes trying to get myself to breathe and stop crying, but that was hard to do. I don't think ive ever been that afraid before in my whole life.
Did i have a panic attack? or was that just regular panic?

[glok]

Welcome to the Community, xbeccamarie.

Panic Disorder Symptoms | Psych Central

My therapist gave me a card with these coping tips. They take some practice but have been helpful.

Coping With Anxiety and Panic

1. Remember, feelings of panic are just exaggerations of normal bodily stress reactions.
2. Sensations are neither harmful nor dangerous - just unpleasant. Nothing worse will happen.
3. Anxiety is temporary. Instead of fighting it, relax into it. Just let it be.*
4. Focus on facing the fear rather than trying to avoid it or escape from it.
5. Stop adding to the panic with frightening thoughts of where panic will lead.
6. Stay in the present. Be aware of what is happening to you rather than concern yourself with how much worse it might get.
7. Notice that when you stop adding to panic with frightening thoughts, the fear begins to fade.
8. Wait and give the fear time to pass.
9. Look around you. Plan what you will do next as the panic subsides.
10. When you are ready to go on, do so in an easy, relaxed manner. There is no hurry.
11. Think about the progress made so far despite all the difficulties.
*Breathe