Hi, so I’ve experienced the occasional anxiety ever since I (20F) was a kid but I’ve never had a panic attack until maybe a year ago. But I don’t know if I’m correctly describing these episodes as a panic attack.

I’ve probably experienced this maybe 3 or 4 times over the past 12 months. It’ll randomly feel like it’s getting hard to breathe, my heart starts racing, my hands get sweaty and I start trembling like a leaf. During these episodes I don’t get scared that I’m dying because I immediately recognise it as just anxiety BUT I do become fearful that I’m going to lose control and embarrass myself. I also can’t stay still and I usually start pacing to calm myself down.

Is that what a panic attack is?