Panic Attacks

A Panic Attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear with symptoms such as palpitations, difficulty breathing, chest and or abdominal pain, nausea and even chills (DeGeorge et al., 2022). There is a fear of dying and of losing control (DeGeorge et al., 2022). Panic attacks can occur without a clear reason, making the experience even more frightening for the individual (Anxiety Disorders, 2022). Panic disorder is defined by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed by a persistent concern for further attacks, resulting in the avoidance of going out altogether (Asmundson, 2014). 

When stress has built to a critical level it takes very little to trigger a panic response (Anxiety Disorders, 2022). Even in times of calm the individual suffering from panic attacks can become alarmed, triggering their body to respond to an imminent threat (DeGeorge et al., 2022). The quality of life for those with panic disorder is reduced due to their constant worry that an attack may take place in a public setting, resulting in restricting their movements and avoiding being in public (Anxiety Disorder, 2022). Bad experiences can cause hypersensitivity, which is a future vigilance mechanism, that unconsciously informs the body of potential threat. This is an arousal that becomes very difficult to switch off and can cause cognitive distortions (Anxiety Disorders, 2022). When sufferers learn that their alarm response is a natural response it often gives them a sense of relief (Anxiety Disorders, 2022). The etiology of panic attacks is multifactorial including psychological, biological and environmental matters (Anxiety Disorders, 2022). The brain is wired to prioritize negative information for survival (Anxiety Disorders, 2022). Individuals suffering with panic disorder may have a bias towards negative information contributing to the sensation that they are under constant threat (Lazarus, 2021). 

Cognitive behavioural therapy is proven to be highly effective in changing and mastering the learned behaviour that triggers the alarm response (Asmundson, 2014). The knowledge of the existence of a trigger for those suffering with panic attacks, can provide reassurance for some sufferers as it provides them with control (Asmundson, 2014).  With cognitive behavioural therapy individuals learn that their response is normal just stuck in a high setting. What triggers the panic may not be known to the individual but with CBT this knowledge can be learned, changing the catastrophic thinking which is causing the body’s physical reactions (Asmundson, 2014).  Samuele and Lolita specialize in Cognitive therapy and can help you on your path to healing. 

References

Anxiety Disorders - Etiology.” Social Sci LibreTexts, 6 Oct. 2022, socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Psychology/

Asmundson, G. J. G., Taylor, S., & A. J. Smits, J. (2014). Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: An Overview and Commentary on Dsm-5 Changes. Depression & Anxiety (10914269), 31(6), 480-486. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22277

DeGeorge, K. C., Grover, M., & Streeter, G. S. (2022). Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder in Adults. American Family Physician, 106(2), 157.

Lazarus, J. (2021). Negativity bias: An evolutionary hypothesis and an empirical programme. Learning and Motivation. 75. 101731. 10.1016/j.lmot.2021.101731.