[greenday]

Could someone on this forum please explain to me what a bad panic attack is like? My mother who is 76 black out three weeks ago and we think she is having panic attacks. Despite NUMEROUS visits to the ER, nothing seems to be wrong. Dozens of tests come back normal. At least once a day she goes into almost a coma like condition. She trembles, shakes, breathes shallow and rapid, doesn't seem to know anyone is near her. She says she gets worried over dying and it seems to bring it on. (We have always thought she was a hypochondriac and think it is fueling the panic attacks, but want to give her the benefit of the doubt.) I was just wondering if these symptoms sound reasonable for panic attacks.

Don't be harsh about the hypochondriac thing, she was diagnosed a long time ago by two doctors, but my father found it too "embarrassing" to get her help due their social standing, if you can believe THAT!! Sadly it's true.