Panic Attacks

A panic attack refers to a sudden episode of intense fear that causes several physical reactions even when there is no real danger. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as ,but not limited to, phobias, post traumatic stress, past experiences with a similar situation, mental health disorders, etc. A panic attack has different symptoms for every individual facing it but certain common ones are chest pain, a racing heart, trembling, nausea, chills, a choking sensation and a feeling of being unattached from reality. When facing a panic attack a quick method to deal with it would be to acknowledge that you are having a panic attack first and foremost. Focusing on your breathing and counting to five with each inhale and exhale helps in most cases. Try to focus on the immediate present by doing the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise. Say out loud five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. This exercise effectively

diverts the attention of your brain from the panic inducing factors. The same steps are to be

followed if someone you know is facing a panic attack. Feeling tired the day after a panic attack is completely normal. For some people, it takes days to recover from an anxiety attack. If you’re dealing with a panic attack hangover, some symptoms may even linger.

Common post-panic attack effects include:

• Lethargy or fatigue

• Sleepiness

• Body aches and pains

• Muscle soreness

• Soreness in the jaw (especially if you tend to clench your jaw)

While the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack tend to subside after about 20 minutes, others may continue to linger for a while. They may continue to hyperventilate or have trouble catching their breath. For more long term prevention, talking to a therapist or even a close friend or family member about your problems can be a good start. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and recreational drugs helps to relieve stress and anxiety. Panic attacks are a very sad reality of many individuals. Awareness about panic attacks is of utmost importance in today’s day and age.

-Aanya Bhaduri