Panic Attack

Dream Theater

All wound up
On the edge
Terrified
Sleep disturbed
Restless mind
Petrified
Bouts of fear
Permeate
All I see
Heightening
Nervousness
Threatens me

I am paralyzed
So afraid to die

Caught off guard
Warning signs
Never show
Tension strikes
Choking me
Worries grow

Why do I feel so numb?
Is it something to do with where I come from?
Should this be fight or flight?
I don't know why I'm constantly so uptight

Rapid heartbeat pounding through my chest
Agitated body in distress
I feel like I'm in danger
Daily life is strangled by my stress
A stifling surge shooting through all my veins
Extreme apprehension, suddenly I'm insane

Lost all hope for redemption
A grave situation, desperate at best

Why do I feel so numb?
Is it something to do with where I come from?
Should this be fight or flight?
I don't know why I'm constantly reeling

Helpless hysteria
A false sense of urgency
Trapped in my phobia
Possessed by anxiety

Run, try to hide
Overwhelmed by this
Complex delirium

Helpless hysteria
A false sense of urgency
Trapped in my phobia
Possessed by anxiety

Run, try to hide
Overwhelmed by this
Complex delirium


Lyrics submitted by Shadow_BR, edited by Heif53

Panic Attack Lyrics as written by Kevin James Labrie Jordan Rudess

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Panic Attack song meanings
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42 Comments

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  • +3
    General CommentI found the Hysteria reference interesting because I read that the Octavarium album was heavily influenced by Muse's Absolution, which has a song called "Hysteria" on it. Not sure if it means anything, though. I just found it interesting.
    ant423on January 10, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General CommentIt seems that the song describe someone who suffers paranoia or something like that, similar to "War inside my head" but this time the paranoia appears to be for no reason.

    BTW great song to hear while driving (speeding) :P

    \m/
    toky_worldon January 21, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General CommentIt could be about a drinking problem..And the reason why I say this is because of this line, "overwhelmed by this complex delirium". Now, if you look delirium up in the dictionary, it says that an episode of delirium is usually caused by the withdrawal from alchohol, which in turn, causes all of the things described in this song (delusions, dehydration, seizures..etc). This song is awesome, though, my favorite song from the Octavarium with Never Enough & The Root Of All Evil trailing close behind.
    Lateralus518on September 22, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General CommentIt's about panic attacks, as the name says. Anyone who has suffered from them will be able to tell you the lyrics describe EXACTLY what happens.
    weckon December 10, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentFor me, this is the most \m/ song on the Octavarium album, followed by The Root of All Evil and Never Enough. JR and JP yet again impress us with amazing unisons! :)
    Idanon June 06, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentFor me personally this is about more than the single occurrence of a panic attack. These lyrics describe my daily life eerily well. I wonder if Petrucci has anxiety, this isn't stuff you can write from study or observation. Also it's complex* not conflicts, and reeling* not feeling.
    bob99on February 26, 2023   Link
  • 0
    General CommentYes, yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. Yes.

    This song rocks like a death biscuit, but anybody who's heard the Rush song "Driven" has heard this style of riffing before.
    Wadatahon July 13, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis is the best dark song from dream theater, and also the best song from the album octavarium, the melodies are just great, another brilliant song from dream theater, hope they will make more
    Panic Attackon September 10, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI find myself singing this all the time at work. Fucking kickass song ^_^
    NickBush24on September 21, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentwow, what a coincidence. i am listening to dream theater, which is my fav band and it is the latest commented song.
    episode666on January 21, 2006   Link

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