My Experience with Anxiety in A&E During a Panic Attack
What it really feels like when your mind spirals and your body screams for help
I never imagined I’d end up in A&E because of anxiety.
Not for a broken bone. Not for a cut.
But because I genuinely thought I was dying.
This is what a panic attack can do to you.
And if you’ve ever been through it — or are going through it now — I hope this helps you feel a little less alone.
The Moment It Hit Me
It started with a weird feeling in my chest. Tight. Heavy.
Then came the racing heart, the dizziness, the tunnel vision.
Suddenly I couldn’t catch my breath, and everything felt… wrong.
My mind told me, “This is it. You’re having a heart attack. Something’s seriously wrong.”
So I did what most people would do — I panicked more.
I ended up in A&E.
In the Emergency Room
I could barely speak when I got there. My hands were shaking, my heart was thumping out of my chest, and I felt like I was going to pass out.
I told the nurse I was having chest pain and couldn’t breathe. I was taken seriously — and quickly. ECGs, blood pressure checks, oxygen levels, blood tests — the full works.
Physically? I was fine.
But mentally? I was falling apart.
Eventually, a kind doctor sat beside me and gently said:
It Didn't Stop There
That first visit to A&E wasn’t the last.
In fact, there were many more.
Each new symptom — a flutter, a skipped beat, tightness — sent me spiraling back into fear. I found myself returning to A&E again and again, convinced something was being missed.
That’s when I started to develop health anxiety, particularly focused on my heart. Every sensation was a possible emergency. Every quiet moment became a time bomb.
How A&E Responded
On the whole, everyone was incredibly understanding.
The nurses, the doctors, the paramedics — even when I felt ashamed or like I was wasting their time — they treated me with kindness and respect. They never dismissed me. They reassured me, ran tests, explained things clearly, and reminded me I wasn’t alone in what I was feeling.
I’m honestly grateful for that.
Learning to Recognise My Triggers
Over time — with support, therapy, and a lot of self-education — I started to understand my anxiety better.
I noticed patterns. Triggers. Thoughts that fed the panic.
I learned grounding techniques. Breathing exercises.
I began to rebuild trust in my body.
Most importantly, I learned that fear doesn’t mean danger — and I could survive the feelings without needing to run.
What I Wish More People Knew About Anxiety in A&E
What Helped Me After
After that long stretch of visits and fear, I finally started getting the support I needed:
It’s still a journey. But it’s one I’m no longer ashamed of.
If You’re Reading This…
If you’ve been to A&E with a panic attack — or are terrified of ending up there — please know this:
🫂 You are not dramatic. You are not weak. You are human.
Anxiety is real. It can be brutal. But it doesn’t have to define you.
There is help. There is hope. And you are absolutely not alone.
What it really feels like when your mind spirals and your body screams for help
I never imagined I’d end up in A&E because of anxiety.
Not for a broken bone. Not for a cut.
But because I genuinely thought I was dying.
This is what a panic attack can do to you.
And if you’ve ever been through it — or are going through it now — I hope this helps you feel a little less alone.
The Moment It Hit Me
It started with a weird feeling in my chest. Tight. Heavy.
Then came the racing heart, the dizziness, the tunnel vision.
Suddenly I couldn’t catch my breath, and everything felt… wrong.
My mind told me, “This is it. You’re having a heart attack. Something’s seriously wrong.”
So I did what most people would do — I panicked more.
I ended up in A&E.
In the Emergency Room
I could barely speak when I got there. My hands were shaking, my heart was thumping out of my chest, and I felt like I was going to pass out.
I told the nurse I was having chest pain and couldn’t breathe. I was taken seriously — and quickly. ECGs, blood pressure checks, oxygen levels, blood tests — the full works.
Physically? I was fine.
But mentally? I was falling apart.
Eventually, a kind doctor sat beside me and gently said:
It Didn't Stop There
That first visit to A&E wasn’t the last.
In fact, there were many more.
Each new symptom — a flutter, a skipped beat, tightness — sent me spiraling back into fear. I found myself returning to A&E again and again, convinced something was being missed.
That’s when I started to develop health anxiety, particularly focused on my heart. Every sensation was a possible emergency. Every quiet moment became a time bomb.
How A&E Responded
On the whole, everyone was incredibly understanding.
The nurses, the doctors, the paramedics — even when I felt ashamed or like I was wasting their time — they treated me with kindness and respect. They never dismissed me. They reassured me, ran tests, explained things clearly, and reminded me I wasn’t alone in what I was feeling.
I’m honestly grateful for that.
Learning to Recognise My Triggers
Over time — with support, therapy, and a lot of self-education — I started to understand my anxiety better.
I noticed patterns. Triggers. Thoughts that fed the panic.
I learned grounding techniques. Breathing exercises.
I began to rebuild trust in my body.
Most importantly, I learned that fear doesn’t mean danger — and I could survive the feelings without needing to run.
What I Wish More People Knew About Anxiety in A&E
- Panic attacks can feel life-threatening. They mimic heart attacks. The fear is intense, and it’s hard to tell what’s real.
- You are NOT wasting anyone’s time. If your body and mind are screaming for help, you deserve care — no matter the cause.
- A&E staff do see this. You’re not the first person to come in for a panic attack, and you won’t be the last. You won’t be judged.
- Validation is powerful. One kind voice — a doctor, nurse, friend — can make all the difference.
What Helped Me After
After that long stretch of visits and fear, I finally started getting the support I needed:
- I saw my GP and talked about mental health for the first time
- I was referred to talking therapy
- I began learning what triggers my anxiety — and how to respond to it with compassion instead of fear
- I worked on accepting sensations rather than fearing them
- I stopped blaming myself — and started healing
It’s still a journey. But it’s one I’m no longer ashamed of.
If You’re Reading This…
If you’ve been to A&E with a panic attack — or are terrified of ending up there — please know this:
🫂 You are not dramatic. You are not weak. You are human.
Anxiety is real. It can be brutal. But it doesn’t have to define you.
There is help. There is hope. And you are absolutely not alone.
