How can you tell if you are having a panic attack?
When you have a panic attack , can you get a really bone dry mouth and find it almost impossible to swallow , even though you drink heaps of water , also can you shake and have tingling lips , im worried about how i breathe and it makes it worse..?
Yes, that could be a panic or anxiety attack. A panic attack generally starts as apprehension, either generalized or to something specific. It then creates a physical reaction, your heart racing, your throat goes dry, trouble swalling, shaking, etc. The panic often rises so that you feel you need to GET AWAY from whatever is creating it, you feel like you might die.
It's sometimes mistaken for a heart attack, the experience is so intense.
There are meds to help and also breathing and relaxation techniques that can help.
It's actually pretty common, and people can develop panic attacks to all sorts of bizarre things: bridges is a big one, highways, enclosed spaces, or for no reason at all.
There are books that can help you work through it too.