Shaheen Bhatt has recently opened up about her panic attack experience on social media. She mentioned that she had not had a panic attack episode in over seven years, after which she had one lately, which made her really feel like she was going to die. She said, "I had my first panic assault in seven years, only a month and a half in the past. And I had completely forgotten how to take care of them."
Dr Pulkit Sharma
, a Puducherry-based clinical psychologist shared that overwhelming situations can trigger panic attacks in any individual. "Even if the individual had no history, they can also experience such episodes."
According to MayoClinic, a panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.
Will panic attacks ever stop?
Dr Sharma added, "To answer this question, first we need to understand that panic attack is not a disorder or illness. It is a reaction to alerting stimulus."
Panic attack is not a disorder or illness
Dr Harish Shetty
, a psychiatrist based out of Mumbai seconds, "Mild fleeting panic attacks can come and go anytime depending on the situation. Feeling overwhelmed and helpless in an emergency situation can lead anyone to a panic attack."
People suffering from childhood trauma are more prone to these episodes, opined Dr Shetty. "But treatment can reduce the incidence of these episodes."
How can we control panic attacks?
Dr Sharma shared that since multiple situations can trigger panic attacks, "patients should learn to manage anxiety." "Manage anxiety so that it would not escalate into a panic attack," he said.
"The basic method one can follow is to focus on breathing. If your anxiety levels are escalating, pull your attention to normal breathing," he said. The expert emphasised that deep breathing will not help at all.
Scientifically, the anxiety brings too much oxygen into the system resulting in panic attacks
"Scientifically, the anxiety brings too much oxygen into the system resulting in panic attacks. So, one should focus on normal breathing at least for five to 10 minutes to balance the anxiety levels," he said.
He also advised that walking or moving amid an attack will reduce the severity and help calm down.
Readmore : Dealing With Anxiety Attacks
Source: www.news9live.com
