When a message hits amygdala and it decides to panic all other actions slow down as the other half of Amygdala does contemplation. So you get weird thoughts as it looks for answers. It goes, not that, not that, till finally it decides there is no reason to panic and stops. Unfortunately it stores those weird thoughts for the next attack.
What Amygdala does is like slamming and locking the door while you check out the windows for danger, but the windows have a limited view so at some point you have to decide there is no danger. In stead of looking out the windows if you say, I just slammed the door, Why did I do that. There is no danger I'm going to look out the door, not the windows then the attack is shorter and Amygdala will save that for next time. In a while you learn to stand on the porch and say there is nothing here instead of slamming the door. This telling panic it is wrong and to go away is a coping skill. Before you can tell it to go away you have to recognize it is there. You can't do that if you slam the door.
It does sound like a panic attack but normally panic attacks only last about 20 minutes; however, they can last longer. To be sure it is best to get assessed by a doctor - this wll ensure there is not physical reason why you are feeling this way.
When we are in panic mode our brains are literally stuck in the fight or flight mode. This flight or flight mode is an adaptive attribute in most mammels as it helps us to escape threat. However, in cases like described sometime the fight or flight mode can hinder us. It is hard to control thoughts when we are not able to access our rational mind - the prefrontal cortex. It will take time and practice for you to change this but it can certainly be changed. I encourage you to start working on the program and continue to post here. You also might want to first check out the session on relaxation techniques as these techniques will help you to calm down when you are having a panic attack.
And to add on, when panic hits my brain couldn't function at all (couldn't think, analyse and react).
And I kind of seeing a lot of images popping up, often there is images of violence(slapping the people beside me) or funny/embarrass thing (running around naked), and I am afraid I would act on them (there will also be neutral images like walking to the toilet and I couldnt decide which one to act on).
When it hits, it would last until the night I go on bed and fall asleep.
I could do nothing at all during this period but just lay on my bed and gasping for air.
It hits me about 4 to 5 times a week, and i couldn't do anything else once it attacks..
Is this also panic attack?
In other aspect like bodily sensation (heart beats faster, short of breath, sweating) is the same.
When I rest on my bed, i would gradually calm down but when I wake up to continue my work I would become anxious again.
And my panic attack won't hit during the morning (since I wake up until a few hours after) and so far i never experience (or maybe i don't conscious) during my sleep.
