What is a Panic Attack?
When we are exposed to a physical threat our bodies have an automatic response to help defend ourselves and escape a threatening situation. This response is known as the fight/flight/freeze response, which activates our central nervous system and our bodies become more attuned to our environment. Often we become more alert, our heart rate speeds up, muscles become tense and ready for action, sweating increases to cool the body and our breathing rate increases so that we can get oxygen into our bodies faster. With all of these changes happening at once, we are able to run very quickly from our attackers (flight), fight our ‘enemies’ (fight) or remain hidden so as not to be seen (freeze).
How Does a Panic Attack Cause Problems?
In today’s society we are rarely exposed to any real physical threat. Instead, most of the threats we do experience are psychological or mental. It does not help to fight physically or run away when dealing with these situations. Unfortunately though, the fight/flight/freeze response still gets turned on. We may have the increased breathing rate which serves no real purpose and actually causes problems for some people. This tends to lead to hyperventilation or over-breathing, this can cause dizziness, breathlessness and chest pains.
It is important to realise that these feelings are all part of a physical response to threat and are not a sign that you have some physical disease. These symptoms do not mean that you will die, go crazy, or lose control.
What Do I Do Next?
It is very likely that you will be more able to manage your panic attacks in the future if:
- You learn how to relax and manage your stress effectively
- You try to notice your anxiety or stress before a panic attack occurs, increase your awareness of your warning signs
- You remember to use breathing exercises when you become anxious.
Hunt, C.J., Andrews, G. & Sumich, H.J. (1995).
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