Am I having panic attack (time sensitive)?

It sounds like you’re anxious. I get that a lot, too, especially for exams. The night before my Calculus I final I was so nervous that not only did I feel anxious, I spent the night until 2am doing problems from the book because I was so nervous. These exams seem to be really taking a toll on your life. Good luck—I wish you the best.

I have had my fair share of panic attacks. Generally, it feels like a fat person is sitting on my chest.

These do not sound like panic attacks to me. Panic attacks tend to involve sudden intolerable physical experiences such as rapid heartbeat and trouble breathing. People I have observed having panic attacks and who have told me how they felt afterward describe a feeling like having a heart attack and thinking they may be about to die or are going insane.

It sounds to me like you are experiencing severe anxiety, but not so much attacks. Headache and loss of appetite are common symptoms of general anxiety. Breathing deeply can help – try counting in for 4, hold for 8, exhale for 7. Listen to music that makes you calm. Take a bath. Go for a run. As you said, anything to distract yourself and change your body’s reactions for a while. If this is a continuing issue you might consider meeting with a psychiatrist for a little pharmaceutical help before exams.

Hey you, how is your breathing? Do you feel like doom is coming.

Sounds like “mere” anxiety to me. Full-on panic attacks start there but keep going. When I get one, we’re talking hyperventilation, vision and/or hearing fading, and tremors (if not outright seizures).

@Adirondackwannabe I cough more often. I guess that’s the result of breath shortness. And yeah I do feel dreaded.

A full-blown panic attack includes a combination of the following signs and symptoms:
Shortness of breath or hyperventilation.
Heart palpitations or a racing heart.
Chest pain or discomfort.
Trembling or shaking.
Choking feeling.
Feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings.

There’s no guessing about shortness of breath. You know when you can’t catch your breath.

@everyone Thanks for all your responses. Guess I got mixed up between “panic attack” and “anxiety”. The anxiety has cooled down a bit for now. The heart has calmed down though it still beats faster than usual.

You’ll be okay. Today’s anxiety will pass.

I know this is stupid to ask a health question here instead of going to the doctor, but I don’t have much time now.
That is what 911 (or whatever emergency number you have) number is for, not trying to have cyber non-doctors tell you what is going on.

It’s not stupid to ask Fluther for help with health questions. http://www.fluther.com/30017/ever-have-constipation-so-bad-that-it-hurt-to-move/

Keep an eye on the situation and if it happens again then get some medical advice. Sounds like anxiety and fatigue hit you a bit harder than usual. I hope you spend some time outdoors a bit and not always inside!

Next time try to breath deeply and then exhale very very very slowly. Repeat until your heart beat becomes normal. I’m not an expert I just know who uses this system.