Only You Can Prevent Panic Attacks
Everyone is vulnerable to panic, but knowledge can protect you
Every human brain comes prepackaged with a panic center. It’s already installed in every child and adult, and ready to go. The IT guy doesn’t have to set it up. Even people who have never experienced an attack are vulnerable to panic.
Last week I had two patients swept into the emergency room by the intensity of panic attacks. I’ll refer to them as Pete and Petra to preserve their anonymity. They each spent hours with challenging physical symptoms, extreme agitation, and worry. In both cases, doctors blamed the events on new medications, and sent them home without a mention of panic. They both remained in high states of anxiety until my phone conversations with them, hours later.
Despite how dramatic it feels and looks, it’s easy to fail to identify a panic attack.
I was able to calm both patients down, into more placid, functional states. And the experience offers a lesson for everyone: Learning about panic attacks can help you be prepared should you have one. The more you understand what causes a panic attack, and what is going on while panic surges through the body, the more effectively you can combat and reverse what is going on.
