Panic attacks can range from low impact to severe and prohibitive and can be scary while they’re happening. Here’s our top 5 tips for managing a panic attack as it happens.
Latest NewsUnderstanding Your Symptoms
Symptoms are often classed as being either a physical body sensation, distorted thinking or behaviour, or a consequence of another problem.
I often see people coming to therapy having pre-diagnosed themselves with having, for example, panic attacks, so they come thinking that’s the problem they need to manage.
Fear and the misinterpretation of an adrenaline response to a normal body reaction are often presented as symptoms of panic attacks. They are not dangerous however, panic attacks are symptoms of a different issue that needs attention.
That is why going to an accredited therapist to carry out a full assessment where all symptoms are considered and the full picture formulated is essential. It’s necessary because if you work on the symptomatic problem e.g you only tackle panic attacks but not the problem that causes panic attacks, then you would not get rid of panic attacks but continue to have them.
Emotions as Symptoms
Anxiety
It is normal to feel anxiety at times. It’s a cortisol and adrenaline response that is secreted by your body. These hormones are not dangerous, and they actually have a purpose.
For example; cortisol levels are higher in your body every morning, due to the fact that this hormone signals your body to prepare for waking up. Adrenaline is produced when you need to move your body faster or be alert like when you exercise. So, the symptoms of adrenaline and cortisol include:
- Heart palpitations
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Tight chest
- Tensing up
- Difficulty catching breath
- Dizziness & blurred vision
- Diarrhea & Nausea
- Plus other symptoms that you may have experienced during or after heavy exercise
If you experience these symptoms whilst not exercising, then you may easily misinterpret it as something abnormal with a catastrophic outcome- so you think you are having a panic attack.
Sadness
it is normal to feel sad at times. If the sadness you experience lasts for longer than 2 weeks, then you may actually be depressed. However you may be feeling, it is best to reach out to an accredited professional and get some advice.
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