Panic attacks: What exactly happens inside your body and mind?
You walk down the street and suddenly you don’t feel well. Your heart is beating fast, your breathing becomes shallower and an unpleasant feeling is taking over your whole body. You have a panic attack. A sudden episode of fear and anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms. You think you will lose control and in the end you will pass out. The panic attack itself is not life threatening. However, it affects greatly the lives of the people who experience it. Certainly, if you find that you have panic attacks more than often then you should seek help. In this article we will go into your body and mind to see exactly what is happening when you experience a panic attack.
The annoying symptoms
We already mentioned the racing heart, the irregular breathing and the feeling the end is near. You will also probably: -sweat – tremble -feel chest pain -motion sickness -dizziness -chills or hot flashes -a feeling that you are coming out of your body -a sense of drowning -numbness in the arms or legs or both
What happens in the body
During the panic attack, the “fight or flight” response is activated. Usually when you face a threat your nervous system takes over the functions of the body. Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, putting the body on high alert. The heartbeat accelerates resulting in more blood reaching the muscles. Breathing becomes fast and shallow, so that you receive more oxygen. Blood sugar rises. The senses become more intense. All of these changes give you the energy you need to deal with the situation or run away and escape. But there is no threat so the body is in alert for no reason. Researchers do not know exactly what causes panic attacks, but the effects on the body are real. It has been found that during a panic attack, adrenaline levels in the body can increase up to 2 1/2 times.
What happens in the brain
Scientists are still studying how panic attacks affect the brain. It is possible that the parts of the brain associated with fear become more active during an episode. A recent study found that people with panic disorder had increased activity in a part of their brain associated with the “fight or flight” response. Other studies have found possible links between panic attacks and the chemicals in your brain. The condition can also be related to an imbalance in serotonin levels, which can affect your mood.
Take action immediately
The first thing you need to do as soon as you feel panic is control your breathing. Find a quiet and comfortable place so you can concentrate on your breathing. The secret is to make breathing slow and more regular. Try to inhale through the nose for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 2 seconds and then exhale through the mouth for 6 seconds. Tell yourself that you are not in danger and that the attack will pass. If you think it’s not a panic attack then it would be a good idea to visit a hospital. A panic disorder is one of the most treatable types of anxiety disorders. Medication and a speech-based therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy) can help you get rid of annoying panic attacks once and for all. Giota Florou sources: webmd.com Recent Articles
