This post is not a beauty post, as you can probably tell from the title but a very serious issue and one which i have been dealing with since the age of about 12. Not many people know about my panic attacks, as i am not comfortable talking about what happens to me, but i now fell i owe it to people to inform people about Panic attacks, because it may help just one person learn what they or someone else is going through.
PANIC ATTACKS. WHAT? WHY? WHO?
Why do people get panic attacks and what happens when you do?
First of all, we need address what causes panic attacks, and this is anxiety, which builds up inside of us until we go into a state of panic, some people do not go into this state, and this people will not suffer from panic attacks. Anxiety is a feeling of unease. The feeling of unease can range from mild to severe, and can include feelings of worry and fear.
Panic attack sufferers have a
'sensitive alarm', meaning you have had an experience that triggered these
panic attacks. "Imagine that your brain is filled with hundreds of filing
cabinets full of different information. You have memories, things you've
learnt..etc. Well, there is this one filing cabinet that stores every panic
attack you have. Where you had it, what happened, who you were with, what you
were doing, what you were eating, what you were drinking, everything. When you
re-enter the same place, with the same people, or do the same thing, that
cabinet unlocks, and releases the same adrenaline, and the same emotion. My
brain thinks it's protecting me, by making me "Fight or flight" in
the same situation"
Imagine that your brain is filled
with hundreds of filing cabinets full of different information. You have
memories, things you've learnt..etc. Well, there is this one filing cabinet
that stores every panic attack you have. Where you had it, what happened, who
you were with, what you were doing, what you were eating, what you were
drinking, everything. When you re-enter the same place, with the same people,
or do the same thing, that cabinet unlocks, and releases the same adrenaline,
and the same emotion. You brain thinks it's protecting you, by making you
"Fight or flight" in the same situation.
A panic attack occurs when your body experiences a rush of intense psychological (mental) and physical symptoms.
You may feel an overwhelming sense of fear,
apprehension and anxiety. As well as these feelings, you may also experience
physical symptoms such as;
Sudden high level of anxiety - with or without a cause
Heart palpitations
Sweating
Shaking
A ‘smothering’ sensation
A feeling of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea
Dizziness or faintness
A sense of unreality
A fear of dying
Numbness or tingling
Chills or hot flushes
Trembling
The number of panic attacks you experience differs from person to person, and depends on how serious your condition is. Panic attacks are awfully scary, but you have to remember you can not die from a panic attack no matter how bad you feel. My mum always used to tell me, that you can pass out because you are not getting enough oxygen, this is a scary thought but can sometimes be for the best as your breathing will go back to normal once you've passed out.
Now onto me...
I had my first panic attack at the age of just 12 years old, this happened when i was ill and got the felling i was going to faint, this scared me as i had never fainted before and i was in the middle of a lesson at school. As i am very shy i didnt want to tell the teacher because i didnt want a fuss, but i didnt want to randomly pass out, because i was felling more and more faint and i was worrying what to do i went into a state of panic, and i got taken out of my lesson and sent home. The next day i panicked it was going to happen again, and i didnt know what was happening, instead of telling someone i just went home ill, so much. Then came the time i had to move school, panic, panic, panic. I was missing so much school and was just getting panicked all the time. Until i told my mum, and although i still panic from time to time in random situations such as, when on a train, sometimes when at school, when in a crowed place, when having to stand up for long periods of time, at football matches, concerts, the list goes on, it has got better. Now people know what is happening to me.
MY ADVICE: TELL SOMEONE! YOU ARENT ALONE.
Anyone, whether it be a friend, a teacher, a parent, anyway just tell someone because it really helps. I promise.
Anyone can suffer from a panic attack, infact 1 in 10 people will experience a panic attack in their life time.
Many people suffer from the disorder, well actually 1 in 100 do.
What can you do if you see someone have a panic attack.
Stay calm, the last thing they want is someone getting stressed it will only panic them more.ASK how they want you to help. If they want water, get them water. If they want space, give them a little space (but do not leave them alone).
Get them out of the situation until they are comfortable returning.
Let them know you arent going to leave them.
Do not smother them.
Do not try too hard to be helpful, all they may need is you to be sat there, silent.
A few ways i deal with my attacks are;
Breathe, slowly and deeply, (into a paper bag if needed).
Drink water.
Suck on an ice cube.
Think as positively as you can.
Remember you are safe.
Stay with a trusted person.
Try and distract yourself.
There are many websites which will be far more helpful than me, but i will be happy to answer any comments, personally questions or general i will do my best to help you.
Try and do research and go to your doctor if necessary.
Hugs from me to you,
Charley x
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