Panic attacks are sudden intense feelings of anxiety, fear and discomfort. The underlying cause of panic attack symptoms is the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream. This happens when the body responds to situations of extreme danger which is commonly referred to as fight or flight response. The trouble is when this release of adrenaline happens too regularly and unnecessarily, which leads to panic attacks.

Panic attacks are not caused by specific external triggers. A person with panic attacks may be doing something that he or she usually does, like going to the bank, cycling or taking an elevator and suddenly get hit by a panic attack. It just seems to come out of nowhere.

Negative thoughts will start to engulf the mind such as paranoia and unrealistic fears. The mind will believe that the worst possible things will happen; Things such as the ship sinking or the car from the other side of the road crashing in. All this regardless of the probability of it happening.

There are no specific external triggers for panic attacks. Panic attacks can come over someone no matter when and where. There are no actual ways to completely avoid it. This is why people who are suffering from panic attacks are greatly affected by it and find it difficult to live their daily lives.

The best way to deal with panic attacks is to face it and not run away from it. Resistance will usually only make the situation worse. Instead, when the panic attack comes, face it with courage allow it to run it’s course. This is an effective way to deal with panic attacks because of the following 2 reasons;

First, it is because panic attacks feeds on fear. The more you resist and fight against a panic attack, the stronger it becomes because you are giving it energy from the fear you exhibit. The only end result you get from resisting a panic attack is the panic attack will become more intense and last longer.

A good metaphor for panic attacks is a roller coaster. When you’re on a roller coaster ride, you will notice that the more you resist and oppose against the movement of the roller coaster, the more tense and frightened you will be. Conversely when you go along with the movement of the roller coaster, you will find the ride to be exciting and enjoyable.

The second reason is because whenever you avoid or resist panic attacks, you are just continuously running away from it. Because of this you will never be able to experience and realize that there is actually no danger or harm in the situation.

When you have fully faced a panic attack and come out of it unharmed, there will be a sense of relief and understanding that it is your illusions of danger that have been creating these panic attacks. You will realize that in reality there isn’t any danger at all. This realization will take away your fear enable you to face future panic attacks with confidence. Having this courage will lead you on the way to conquering panic attacks.

Tags: Mental Health

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