Panic attacks. Maybe you've experienced them firsthand or know someone who has. Panic attacks or panic disorders in general are difficult to talk about for a few reasons. Primarily, it's because panic can manifest differently in people and because people in our everyday life and in society use different language when describing their lives and behaviors, whether it be everyday stress or severe anxiety.
What do I mean by that? Take a fellow classmate or coworker. They had a rough exam, or a presentation in front of the boss and they "totally panicked." Now, in everyday vernacular it's totally acceptable to say something like that because there's a common understanding of what that means, right? Did they simply get nervous when that paper was placed in front of them or when they felt the glare of disapproval from the boss? Did they have a full blown panic attack? Does this type of language affect someone who actually has a panic disorder and how they talk about their problems and ask for help? There are a lot of questions here that have a lot of different answers depending on the situation. What's important, at any rate, is understanding panic attacks.
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Generally speaking, sometimes your mind and body interact with each other in a way that results in pushing the panic button. When a panic attack occurs, your mind and body decide together that they don't really know what to do with nervous energy that has built up. Remember the fight or flight response you learned about in school, along with the mitochondria being the powerhouse of the cell? Same idea here. Your brain tries to be a wise guy and tricks your body into thinking that you should be in a sheer state of fear. Your body wants to save itself but doesn't really know how so it just starts responding in weird ways.
This can happen for a multitude of reasons, whether it be the result of stress, anxiety, or any other triggering factor. This nervous energy can create many different sensations that can make a person feel pretty gross, especially when the person has a panic disorder. Some of these sensations include: sweating, fast heart rate, shaking, chills, hot flashes, nausea, chest pain, headache and dizziness.
Often, when a person experiences a panic attack, they feel like they're having a heart attack, that they're removed from reality, or that some impending doom is upon them. Pretty scary, huh? If you suffer from panic attacks, you're not alone — even though it may feel that way. Here are some points to keep in mind if you're struggling with panic or if you're looking to support someone who has panic attacks:
Many people have occasional panic attacks, but if they occur frequently, it may be a sign of a panic disorder and you should reach out to resources and seek medical attention.
Physical symptoms caused by panic attacks usually peak after a few minutes, and it can be helpful to remember that whatever the feeling or sensation you're experiencing, it cannot hurt you and you are going to be OK.
Other than seeking help from medical professionals, there are a load of resources on the Internet filled with tips and tricks to manage anxiety with calming techniques for panic attacks. One word: Pinterest.
Finally, there is nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to panic attacks; you're human and it has absolutely no reflection on your character or your capabilities.
