Understanding panic attacks
Understanding panic attacks
Understanding panic attacks
Panic attacks happen when there is a build-up of stress and anxiety which is not adequately dealt with. Intense stress, over a long period of time, that is not relieved by effective anxiety management takes its toll on both the body and the mind.
Suddenly you can't keep going any more, and you have a panic attack. This can happen anywhere at any time and is often triggered by yet another stressful event (such as being stuck in a traffic jam whilst you are on your way to a meeting, or standing in a supermarket queue that never seems to get shorter, or being on your way to an important doctor's appointment that you are worried about.)
An overload of stress and anxiety is always the root cause. Anxiety is always fear-driven. When we are afraid our body goes into fight/flight mode, which is our ancient survival mechanism. This leads, amongst other things, to hyperventilation, sweating, a feeling of sickness in the stomach and shaking. It is often an extremely frightening experience, as it appears to come out of nowhere.
When we are in fight/flight mode, the connections to our neo-cortex (our rational brain) are temporarily blocked. These will be restored once we have calmed down again. However, extremely stressed people often have an over-supply of adrenaline in their bloodstream and may have forgotten what it feels like to feel calm and in control. These people will say they thrive on stress, without realising the toll it takes on body and mind.
When someone has had a panic attack in one particular place, the mind will automatically associate that particular place with the attack, and store that association in our memory. Fear of another panic attack can lead to more stress and a greater chance of it happening. Soon, the mind will expect it to happen again and again, and one's whole life becomes an exercise in avoiding places where they have occurred.
Some people end up being so terrified of panic attacks or feelings of fear and anxiety, and its effects on those around them, that they stop socialising and going to places and become housebound. These people are called agoraphobic.
A Human Givens therapist can quite quickly help a person overcome panic attacks and begin to lead fulfilling lives once again.