A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and a feeling of unreality. This unpleasant condition can last from 5 to 60 minutes, but is not harmful to health. However, if panic attacks are recurring and making life difficult, it is important to seek help.
Experts of the All-Ukrainian mental health program "How are you?" explained that a panic attack can occur for no apparent reason when the body mistakenly goes into fight-or-flight mode, even when there is no real threat. This often happens due to stress, overwork, emotional burnout or other factors.
Symptoms of a panic attack include:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath and rapid breathing
- Trembling, numbness of arms and legs
- Nausea, stomach discomfort
- Dizziness and excessive sensitivity to light
To reduce the manifestations of a panic attack, you can use the "5-4-3-2-1" technique, which consists in concentrating on the surrounding things and feelings. If the attacks are repeated and significantly affect life, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
The support of a doctor will help determine the causes and develop a strategy for dealing with panic attacks, which can become a serious problem if left unattended.
