Let’s not panic!

A sudden and intense feeling of fear coupled with a physical reaction when there is no real danger is categorised as a panic attack. It can start suddenly and can strike at any time.

Sufferers feel as if they are losing control or having a heart attack, since it is often associated with sweating and hot flushes.

Symptoms can also include rapid heart rate, trembling, sweating, chills, chest pain or heaviness on the chest, headache, dizziness, feeling faint, tightness of the throat and a dry mouth.

Medically, it is not known what causes a panic attack. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, genetic and major stress factors can play a role.

Clinical psychologist Dr Gordon Emmerson believes it is caused by ‘unresolved severe trauma or non-assertive expression, or an interactive combination of these two states’. Let’s explore what he means by unresolved trauma and non-assertive expression. l Unresolved Trauma: We are talking about any trauma such as the death of a significant person, or an accident, a major change or natural calamity. If processed with time it may be resolved by talking to someone and feeling a sense of closure. In these circumstances it is unlikely to cause an active problem in later life. However, if the trauma remains unresolved and suppressed for any reason, it may trigger a panic attack.

One of my clients was involved in an accident in which a child died. She didn’t talk much about it and, whenever she tried to talk to people, they would tell her not to think too much about it.

As a result, over a period of time she started getting panic attacks. She would sweat excessively, get hot flushes, a dry mouth and feel as though she was unable to talk.

l Non-Assertive Expression: Sometimes it is impossible to interact with people without feeling angry and frustrated at times. In these situations, if someone suppresses those feelings instead of expressing them in an appropriate manner, it can cause them to ‘bottle it up’.

These kinds of people generally come across as very nice and they rarely demonstrate anger, they are easy to get along with and often hide how they are truly feeling. They don’t allow themselves to vent out these feelings, putting themselves at risk of the dreaded panic attack.

Psychotherapy, especially Ego State Therapy, is very useful in treating panic attacks. It helps clients to empower themselves and face the issues that so trouble them.

If someone you know experience the panic attack in front of you and you want to help them, just start talking to them about something which they are interested in. For example, if this person is a mother, and you know that she enjoys talking about her children, just be loud and clear and start talking about the kids. Ask questions related to how she feels when they play together, what they talk about, etc. In time they may be able to confide in you and take the pressure off.

If any stranger experiences panic attack, of course you would not know what their favourite topic is or what makes them feel happy. In this case during a panic attack, help them to come out of it by talking about something that they can clearly see around them. Don’t forget to be loud and clear.

When in an agitated state, a sufferer becomes so involved with how they are feeling it may be necessary to be a little loud. Ask different questions about the object, which will trigger different thoughts and feelings in them, see them out of the state of anxiety and allow them to relax a little.

This advice may not prevent people from having panic attacks in the future, but it will surely help them settle before seeking expert help.

A professionally-trained therapist will be able to identify the problems and help the sufferer work through them. The sessions will help stop the panic attacks and identify ways to engage more relaxed and thoughtful states of mind.

Dr Puja Taneja Malhotra,
Ph.D. Psychology,
Psychological Consultant, Trainer & Coach.