Not sure if this is OCD related but I think I just had an anxiety/panic attack? I was driving out for an appointment and all of a sudden felt like I was going to pass out at the wheel and that was followed by nausea, lump in throat and feeling like doom or fear I guess? It was so sudden and so alarming that I eventually pulled over, cancelled the appointment, and turned around and went home. Now I'm feeling generally weak and tired. Has anyone else had something similar? Or know what this is and how to cope?

Hi there, From what you described, it does sound like you underwent a panic attack. Panic attacks can occur differently in people and can happen without a identifiable trigger if you experience an anxiety disorder. While OCD isn’t considered an anxiety disorder anymore, anxiety plays a major role in how the disorder operates. Many OCD individuals meet the criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder (I’m one of them). I’m sorry you experienced that discomfort. It’s important to remember that discomfort is not danger, and while it’s our instinct avoid whatever feels uncomfortable, it’s important to train our minds to understand that the signals of doom and panic are false signals. It’s easy to begin avoiding what we feel may induce anxiety, but this is empowering the fears and training our minds to continue fearing a feeling- which it doesn’t need to do. I experience panic attacks and they occur by causing a cold sensation in my back, shaking, flushing of the skin, crying, and shortness of breath. What’s helped me cope is recognizing that what I’m experiencing is a panic attack. It seems mundane, but for a long time I didn’t realize the feelings I was experiencing was a panic attack, so it caused me to experience it further. Labeling what’s happening can help you separate your logical mind from the feelings the panic attack is causing. I also practice mindfulness techniques when I feel panic coming on. Just engaging with your senses in a non-forceful way. Focusing how my hands feel on the steering wheel, how my feet feel in my shoes, and narrating in my mind what’s happening around me. Deep breathing can be helpful- I often like to do the 4-8 count. Inhale counting to four and exhale counting to eight like you’re blowing out a candle (I do this while visualizing a color or calm place in my mind). I also find hot liquids, heating pads, or grounding myself in a warm coat or blanket can help alleviate the physical symptoms of panic. I keep mints and water with me wherever I go to help refocus myself if I feel off. I’ve also begun an SSRI this year, which has made a lot of difference in my general anxiety. However, the techniques above made a difference before I was on medication. I hope this could be of some help.

Sounds like a panic attack to me. I am years into them and still don’t recognize them