What does your panic attack feel like?

My story below is how I described my panic attacks to a relative.

Have you ever been in a scary or traumatic situation, a car accident for example, where there was one horrified moment when you realized disaster was imminent - that shocked and terrified instant right before the $#%^ hit the fan? And it crashes over you like an unexpected wave at the beach when you aren't paying attention? You feel like the wind has been knocked out of you, and you can't get any oxygen. Your body/brain is screaming DANGER! DANGER! DANGER! You can't look at anyone in the eye. You can't think straight.

That's how I feel when I'm in public. Like I'm not getting any oxygen, my brain is short-circuiting, I'm spazzing, getting angry when the self-checkout machine doesn't work as expected, talking louder and faster (but only half-realizing it and not being able to stop myself). Sweating and feeling like everyone sees it and is wondering what's wrong with you. Feeling "caught" and like I'm about to be "in trouble".

What does your panic attack feel like?

Any of the followings can be a part of my panic attack.

a racing or pounding heartbeat
dizziness and lightheadedness
feeling that "I can’t catch my breath"
chest pains or a "heaviness" in the chest
uncontrollable crying
flushes or chills
tingling in the hands, feet, legs, arms
jumpiness, trembling, twitching muscles
sweaty palms, flushed face
terror
fear of losing control
fear of a stroke that will lead to disability
fear of dying
fear of going crazy

My panic attack typically lasts several long minutes and is one of the most distressing conditions I can experience. In some cases, my panic attacks have been known to last for longer periods of time or to recur very quickly over and over again.

The aftermath of my panic attack is very painful. Feelings of depression and helplessness are usually experienced. The greatest fear is that the panic attack will come back again and again, making life too miserable to bear.

My panic is not necessarily brought on by a recognizable circumstance, and it may remain a mystery to me. These attacks come "out of the blue". At other times, excessive stress or other negative life conditions can trigger my attack.