Panic attack with no bodily symptoms?!

[metaworrier]

I’ve had anxiety and panic disorder for years—and know a panic attack like the back of my hand I’ve had so, so many of them. But these past couple of months how my panic manifests almost feels like it’s changed. I feel on edge and rattled most of the time, and I’ll have these bursts of panic like a panic attack but instead of my heart racing, shortness of breath, sweating, etc, it’s all entirely mental. Instead it’s feelings of racing thoughts, derealization, depersonalization, some dizziness. It’s hard to describe but it’s like thoughts are shooting at me in my head and there’s this deep sense of dread and losing insanity. Pretty scary right? And it can last for minutes if not a good hour. I sometimes can distract myself from it, but it also feels like it’s always there in the on the back burner in my head. But while my brain is panicking my body is calm and I’m totally lucid/aware that all of this is in my head and can function at the same time. The only thing I can relate this to is what’s going on in my head during a panic attack. But this time there’s no bodily symptoms to go with it. Has anyone else experienced something like this?

[anon99]

I have.

Sometimes I feel like I’m about to lose it and fall from reality but no body sensations it feels like it’s all in my brain. Everything looks weird and I just feel like I’m about to lose touch with reality or have already lost it.

[Vegcat]

I’ve felt something like this too. I have anxiety, but I never really have physical panic attacks with heart racing, etc. It’s more like a meltdown in my head. You’re not alone.

[Noz29]

I've had this as well. I'm new to panic attacks. They started in March and I've had them ever since. Every day. Hyperventilating like crazy. I was in a lot of stress for years. Emotional and physical stress (chronic pain) and then covid 19 hit and something snapped in me. Since I'm asthmatic I was very worried. I've been in a derealisation state for 2 months. Like I'm not on this planet. I snapped out of that and now it can come on without bodily sensations as well. All in my head. One day it's in my head, the other day I'm sweating, hot flashes, chest tightness and feelings of suffocation. I try to handle the hyperventilation syndrome.. Hoping the panic attacks will then lessen.