Panic Attack

One description of a panic attack.

I've heard it called drowning,

Like the whole world caving in.

Or falling into the depths of despair,

Deeper than you've ever been.

I don't feel like I'm falling,

I know exactly where I am.

The thoughts they just keep coming,

They don't give a damn.

After a few minutes,

The thoughts just suddenly stop.

It becomes impossible to breathe,

Like my body just, forgot.

A new level of panic is reached,

It's now I could swear I will die.

The thoughts so lost in panic breaths,

I can't even remember why.

What set it off in the beginning,

Does it matter? Why do you ask?

Just tell me it'll be over soon,

That it isn't going to last.

In the vice of this deep panic,

Nothing else seems worthwhile.

And yet minutes later I promise,

I can face the world with a smile.

Even if you knew me,

You'd probably never see,

How minutes earlier I was,

More panic than I was me.

When the panic did set in,

If you were unluckily around,

Be sure, you didn't see it all,

Years of practice, I know how to play it down.

So if the goals to hide it,

Like it never did exist.

What's the point on telling you,

Something I really hoped you'd missed.

I really want you to understand,

It is as irrational to me as to you.

When the panic is alive within me,

I just don't know what to do. 

Author's Note

One account of a panic attack. Anyone can have a panic attack, for reasons you might not even understand. This is just how it feels to me. If you are unlucky enough to have found yourself in this situation, let me know how your experience is different. Thanks for reading :)

Reviews

[Michael (Letters and Li..]

You've explained something and portrayed something here that I'm sure almost everyone can relate to. The way you were able to put something like this into words is very skillful. I really liked it and it touched a part of me that knows this all too well. Good job!

[J.Sin]

I don't think I have ever had a panic attack, and after reading this account of one, I don't ever want to. So much confusion, so much pain, I would not wish this sort of thing on anyone. Amazing job at relating the experience through words. Cheers!

[Aaliyah Grace]

I feel like you hit the nail one the head with this one. I have a panic disorder and I could really relate to this.

[Wonderland Asylum]

An outstanding poem, I can relate to it very well.
It flows easily, and I love your word choice.
Very nice poem, I can't wait to read more of your work.