Many people with panic and anxiety disorders experience dizziness and fainting during a panic attack. There are a few reasons a person may faint due to stress. The first reason is that of hyperventilation. When a person breathes too quickly, they breathe out too much carbon dioxide, resulting in constriction of the blood vessels—including those in the brain—causing lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, and fainting. The second reason a person may faint is due to an adrenaline rush. Adrenaline causes tunnel vision and increased heart rate, making a person pass out. Alternatively, certain parts of the brain may simply shut down during a panic attack, causing a person to pass out.

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