Your breathing gets shallow. The walls start to close around you. Why is it so hot? Why are you sweating like crazy? All the bad things that you did start to crowd you like a thousand voices. That, folks, is a panic attack.
Some of you may not know what a panic attack is. Well, a panic attack is a physical reaction that your body has when it is stressed, particularly for a long period of time. There can be various other reasons as well. For example, if you’re stressing over a test too much, you might trigger a panic attack.
Panic attacks can happen to anyone, anytime. I personally have had a panic attack before, and I have slight anxiety. But panic attacks don’t happen to people with anxiety all the time. It can happen if you have a phobia and have to face it. For example, if you were trapped in a cramped space with claustrophobia, you have a high chance of having panic attacks. According to experts, approximately one in 10 people have had panic attacks in the US alone, and 6 out of 10 have no trace of anxiety or a panic disorder. Additionally, up to 35 percent of the population experience a panic attack at some time in their lives.
What if you don’t know if you are experiencing a panic attack? Some effects of panic attacks, as mentioned earlier, are:
shortness of breath
sweating
tingly hands
a numb body
pounding heart
There are many more situations that involve different symptoms, but most people experience the latter of the ones listed. Having panic attacks can also scar you. You may find it very tough to cope with everyday life, keep a job, or function in social settings. You may fear going into places where it may be hard to escape or you feel trapped.
So how do people get over panic attacks? Some ways I would recommend getting help is talking to someone who you can trust with these issues, such as a close family member or a personal therapist. You can also learn how to cope by using meditation skills, or by practicing activities that calm you down when you might be having a panic attack, such as taking deep breaths, or using the “box method” (Box breathing is a meditation practice in which we take slow and deep breaths for the count of four). You may also find it helpful to not stress or panic too much over a certain thing that would trigger a panic attack.
Overall, panic attacks can happen to anyone, at any time. Whether it is something as simple as passing a test or grief over losing a loved one. But that doesn’t mean you’re alone. Many organizations work to help people cope with panic attacks, and you always have someone at your side, like a friend or family. Just remember, you’re never alone.