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How To Differentiate Between A Mini Stroke And Panic Attack?

Posted on Mon, 5 May 2014

Question: I am 24 years old 6 ft 220 pounds. I have been active my whole life through sports and working out but I have been slacking a little since I started full time work 6 months ago. I have been on adderall 20mg xr for the last 4 yours but only recently started using it everyday when I started work. About two weeks ago I suffered a episode where I became slightly confused and paranoid and had what my doctor called a panic attack during work. In doing my own research it does seem that the symptoms I suffered are similar to panic attacks but what I don't understand is why a panic attack would come on when I was in so such a happy place. This is lead me to be worried I may have suffered a mini stroke. My question is how can I differentiate the symptoms between a mini stoke and panic attack?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)

Brief answer....given below Detailed answer.... Hello, Thanks or the query. You have asked a really important question because one really finds many similarities between the two but on careful analysis,you can come to know the difference easily. 1... The most important difference is that in cases of XXXXXXX stroke or TIA ,the symptoms would be entirely limited to one side of body only.The moment you find that symptoms are extending to the other half of body,it is not TIA. 2...the symptoms pertain more to disability in motor skills in cases of TIA ,like weakness,numbness,difficulty in walking,facial dropping on one side,slurring of speech. 3... in cases of panic attacks,the symptoms would be psychological like sense of fear or impending doom,nausea,hot and cold flashes,sweating,faintness etc. I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query. Best of luck Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar