when the panic takes over
“I
remember my first panic attack as if it had happened yesterday, although, at the time,
I didn’t realize that it was “just” a panic attack. My life was quite settled.
I liked my job and had just met somebody I was really happy with. But still,
out of the blue, I would suddenly go from relaxing in front of the TV to
calling 999. My heart suddenly started beating very fast, it even hurt. I
couldn’t breathe properly, felt cold and hot at the same time. I just thought “This
is it!” and was convinced I would have a heart attack. I couldn’t
believe the paramedic had checked all my functions and didn’t find any physical
reason for my symptoms. How could he tell me there was nothing to worry about? That
night, I heard of the psychological diagnosis “panic disorder” for the first
time.”
All of us might be tempted to self-diagnose a panic attack when we have to give a talk in front of an awe-inspiring auditorium, when we detect a giant spider under our desk or when the in-laws announce a visit. However, psychologists only diagnose a panic disorder if a patient experiences very strong physical symptoms even without external reasons, and if they are extremely worried about fainting, suffocating or even dying in such a situation.
Understandably, patients often contact their GP first, but they do not always receive a satisfactory explanation for their very frightening symptoms. How could something this overwhelming be a mere mental by-product? Never really convinced that they are physically completely healthy, many patients start changing their life to manage their fear of further attacks. This might involve avoiding situations where symptoms might get worse or where escape could be difficult, such as crowded supermarkets or shopping malls, public transport or exercise.
Once the anxiety starts to take over it becomes increasingly difficult for sufferers to get back to their normal life by themselves. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a very effective way of regaining control and independence, and our previous work shows that even just a single session of CBT can make a difference for some patients.
All of us might be tempted to self-diagnose a panic attack when we have to give a talk in front of an awe-inspiring auditorium, when we detect a giant spider under our desk or when the in-laws announce a visit. However, psychologists only diagnose a panic disorder if a patient experiences very strong physical symptoms even without external reasons, and if they are extremely worried about fainting, suffocating or even dying in such a situation.
Understandably, patients often contact their GP first, but they do not always receive a satisfactory explanation for their very frightening symptoms. How could something this overwhelming be a mere mental by-product? Never really convinced that they are physically completely healthy, many patients start changing their life to manage their fear of further attacks. This might involve avoiding situations where symptoms might get worse or where escape could be difficult, such as crowded supermarkets or shopping malls, public transport or exercise.
Once the anxiety starts to take over it becomes increasingly difficult for sufferers to get back to their normal life by themselves. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a very effective way of regaining control and independence, and our previous work shows that even just a single session of CBT can make a difference for some patients.