Triggered Panic Attacks?

Hi I'm new here and came across this disorder just reading and its the closest thing I've heard of to what happens to me, but not exactly. I'm 16 and I experience all the symptoms of DPD as well, though I have never been actually diagnosed. (also have mild paranoia) At first I thought that maybe the attacks I have are typical of DPD but they don't seem to be.

What happens to me is never out of the blue panic for no reason. Its always triggered by something somebody else does or says. But when it happens I have completely irrational thinking, my heart starts to race, chest hurts (feels like my heart hurts), my mind starts to get... hyperactive (only word i can find to describe it) meaning that i feel like im thinking twice as fast as normal. I start trembling if its a really bad one and i always start crying, though usually i can keep this under control if I'm in public. If I'm in public I become unable to speak about it but if I do I start crying. While I have had these attacks for a while in my life they have gotten increasingly common, though this could be attributed to having a boyfriend I'm very attached to... which causes triggers a lot more often. When I panic I start thinking of every bad thing possible having to do with me not being good enough and I start having imagined fears that he is going to leave me or there is some problem.

My boyfriend and my best friend have become used to this happening to me and can always tell when im having one if we are together. He has gotten pretty good at snapping me out of them once he knows what the trigger was. He keeps trying to convince me that all fears are imagined and of course he doesnt feel that way. But when I'm panicking I easily convince myself either that he just says it to try to prevent panic attacks or that that was only true for that time not this time or stuff like that. The only way to snap me out of a panic attack is to identify the trigger and stop that very pinpointed fear. Though I'm sometimes extremely uncomfortable saying what it was or I'm not always positive exactly what it was. Hours after the attack when I feel completely normal it is obvious to me that nothing was wrong and that I got upset for no reason.

So my question is are these mild panic attacks as they seem to me or is it something else? They seem to have most symptoms except for some of the extremely severe ones and the fact that they are triggered. Thanks for any help, I really just want to know if anybody else can relate to what happens to me.

First of all, you are not alone. Triggers can be anything that could have been from a post traumatic stress, stress itself, anxiety, certain ways you may feel in your body, it can really go on. For instance, my triggers are really loud noises that scare me. This was from abuse from my step parents. I will go into a fit of anxiety. I also can not see anything death related. This is because I have a fear of dying. There can be other things associated with your anxiety or panic disorder. The best thing to do is get evaluated and check with your school counselor. I did that when I was in school. She helped me a lot. They can refer you to a psychologist if you need medication.

Panic attacks come in many forms. You have all of the signs that is associated with panic attacks. This could be triggered from anything. Find your specific trigger and try to get help. It is also normal that you may feel that you will loose a loved one from your panic disorder. Almost everyone I know with this disorder has this same issue. If they love you and they know you are getting help then you should have nothing to worry about. Care about you for now and get some help. Good luck and know were here for you!

Thanks very much. I wasn't sure if what I have is a panic attack according to the disorder criteria because I don't really feel nauseous or sweaty or weak, and my attacks are always caused because of something particular and they always have a purpose. A friend of mine who is borderline suggested I had DPD and maybe PPD after knowing me for a very long time, and after that I researched it and felt like i definitely had it, but I've never gone to a counselor or psychiatrist. My friends are the only ones aware that anything is seriously abnormal with me, and my parents aren't really aware of anything. So I'd be nervous going to the counselor because it's not really out in the open. I'll consider it if it gets too hard to handle though.

I do think that my attacks are related to things in the past (realized this was probably the case not too long ago), though my mind makes sort of abstract connections between things and it can be hard to explain why something upsets me.

Thats completely understandable. Also, panic attacks come in many different forms. For me, my panic attacks come in a wave. I get really scared over something. It usually comes out of the blue. Although, sometimes I can feel them coming. My brain starts to go everywhere and its like I can't stop it from getting back on the ground. I start to tense up, hands get clammy, heart beats out of my chest, dizziness. It can go on. Some panic attacks are mild where I feel disconnected with my body. I feel that I am totally aware of my surroundings but I am literally right in front of my body YKWIM? Most of the time the anxiety is so bad that I tend to get overwhelmed and cry. Enough about me! I just wanted you to see what I experience. Hopefully you can get a clear thought to what you may have.

Honestly, If your OK with dealing with this, find your own space and time to think about what may be causing it. You seem like you have the strong will power to kick it in the butt. I believe you will. Since your young, get it now so it doesn't distress you in the future. It will definitely help you in the long run.