Hi, my 19 year old son has been experiencing strange things that wake him up in the night. Last night he said his heart was hurting, his feet felt cold, his brain felt like it was swelling, his throat felt like it was closing up, he said he couldn t breath and his vision was dark and he saw many many colors. Also he experienced halliucinations. I could not feel anything different, no sweats, not cold to touch. He has been told he suffers from anxiety attacks, however we don t know what is bringing them on. Many of the same symptoms have been occuring for the past 10 mos but seem to be getting worse. I do not want to put him on meds (recommended is xanax) for these attacks. He s a teen and I don t think a addictive drug like xanax is good. What would cause hallucinations? and why does he feel like he is about ready to die when these attacks occur?
Most probably, in a teen, and at night the symptoms you describe might not have an organic basis.  It may be part of her turmoil in personal or professional (school), you are very true when you say that you would like to avoid any Chat Doctor.  I would hereby suggest a visit to a good psychiatric and psychotherapy.  We would try to bring out his fears and ad