by Harmony Wilde, Mindless Mag
Panic attacks are when you feel a sudden urge of fear and intense anxiety. They come along with physical effects such as:
- – Racing heart
- – Sweating
- – Chest tightness/pain
- – Tingling and numbness across body
- – Difficulty breathing
- – Nausea
- – Dizziness
When experiencing your first panic attack, it can be very confusing and scary; that’s why it’s important to know and understand the symptoms. Learning to deal with panic attacks is a good way to control them better and to try and shorten the amount of time they can go on for (the average time is 5-30 minutes). Here are some ways to try and calm panic attacks:
- – Recognise you are having one
- – Breathing exercises
- – Look around and find 5 things you can see, and 5 things you can feel
- – Be around a loved one
- – Get some fresh air
- – Putting wrists in cold water can reduce the anxiety you are feeling
If you are experiencing panic attacks on a regular basis, it would be best to see a GP to look at treatment, such as therapy or certain medications. Lifestyle choices can massively affect anxiety and panic attacks, therefore improving the way you live your life can soothe panic. This can be done by eating regular meals, getting enough exercise, seeing family and friends, limiting your caffeine intake and overall trying to be healthier.
Many people mistake their panic attack for something a lot more serious such as a heart attack, due to some of the symptoms being similar such as an increased heart rate and chest pains. Once the idea of having a heart attack is in someone’s head, this increases their anxiety even more, making the panic attack symptoms worsen and lengthen the time. It is not uncommon for someone to take themselves to A&E or ring an ambulance when experiencing a panic attack, as they think they are in extreme danger; this is how scary they can be.
Panic Disorder and Anxiety
Panic disorder is when someone has recurring panic attacks, usually for no reason. They also have feelings of anxiety and panic regularly when they do not usually have a reason to be anxious, which can be distressing. Seeing a GP is the best option when experiencing these feelings, where they may also carry out physical examinations to ensure to rule out any other possible conditions which are causing symptoms. You may be diagnosed with panic disorder if you have unexpected panic attacks that continue for over a month. Treatment for panic disorder are therapy and medication.
Anxiety can be a completely normal response to certain situations, such as public speaking or a job interview. However, it can become a problem when feelings of anxiety start to affect everyday life which can massively affect someone’s quality of life. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues among the world, with it having mental and physical symptoms for the disorder. Talking to a GP and getting the correct diagnosis is the best way forward when dealing with anxiety, which can then lead to getting the right medication or treatment.
What is the Difference between a Panic Attack and an Anxiety Attack?
Although both cause a fast heart rate, harder breathing and distress, they do differ in severity and the cause. Panic attacks are a lot more intense and can be without any trigger, whereas on the other hand anxiety attacks are a response to a threat to a perceived threat. Both are just as horrible as one another and should be taken seriously, therefore if you are experiencing any symptoms you should look for help.
