Panic attacks/or shutdown and can't move
Hey. So I ended up with panic attacks at college and I ended up freezing in position so I could move. I was just staring into space frozen for like 30 minutes. Has anyone else felt the same?
I was able to go back to class though I felt I couldn't look at or be around anyone for a while but it's ok now. I feel like I am more focused now and can block out other things going on that usually distract me, I don't feel as much emotion so that's a good thing. Even though panic attacks pure suck I guess it can be helpful too. Has anyone else thought the same?
About 50% of my panic or anxiety attacks cause me to freeze like that. I go white as a sheet and numb, and my whole body goes stationary. I can't speak or move my arms or legs, and it can last anywhere from 5 minutes to over an hour.
I'll also say you're not the only one to have attacks at college. I had one in my history class, where it was test day and I had forgotten my booklet. For some reason instead of going up to my professor and asking to borrow one, I was terrified and actually just left class to go sit outside and stare off for the whole session. It resulted in me having to explain to my parents that I missed the test because I basically didn't want to talk to the professor face-to-face. When I went in the next day to take it in the office so it wouldn't be late, my professor looked me straight and just said, "I don't get it. Why didn't you just talk to me?" I explained to her that I was scared of ridicule, and her response was, "But to just up and leave? Why would you do that?" I don't know why, but for some reason that last sentence has always stuck with me every time I feel like fleeing a situation because I'm scared.
Thankfully my wife understands. It's taken her about ten years of knowing me to realize that I might be autistic, but it's definitely helped ease her thoughts about my sudden freezing attacks, my stutters, stimming, and anxious, panicked thoughts I have all the time.
_________________
~Lu
| Similar Topics | |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender flaw linked to ransomware attacks |
08 Jul 2026, 10:00 am |
