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Panic attacks are often described as a sudden fear of dying, going crazy, with an on slot of somatic experiences (e.g., palpitations, sweating, shaking, chest pains, dizziness, paresthesias, etc.).\u00a0 Panic attacks in isolation have a high prevalence in society and result in significant impairment (Kessler et al.,\u00a0 2006).\u00a0 Though not considered a mental disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), panic attacks can occur with any anxiety disorder or other mental disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).\u00a0 However, as noted by psychologist Ricks Warren of the University of Michigan there are several myths associated with the experience of panic attacks (Holmes, 2015).<\/p>\n

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Warren indicates many believe that panic attacks are merely an overreaction to stress.\u00a0 The experience of a panic attack far surpasses being too worried or high strung, instead in the course of a panic attack, one\u2019s fight or flight response is triggered. \u00a0Individuals feel they are in danger and must avoid the trigger.\u00a0 Others believe that individuals can pass out from a panic attack.\u00a0 Actually, as Warren notes, during a panic attack an individual\u2019s blood pressure actually increases, which is counter to the experience of fainting, where there is a dip in blood pressure.\u00a0 Yet, other physical symptoms are experienced and often individuals feel they may be experiencing a heart attack.\u00a0\u00a0 Some believe panic attacks are the same as anxiety.\u00a0 In fact they are distinct, while anxiety is considered an overarching term concerning worry, panic attacks are considered episodes.\u00a0 Consequently, one can develop worry about having a panic attack, which alludes to the development of panic disorder.<\/p>\n

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Warren also highlights misconceptions that some believe panic is a lifelong problem and that it is difficult to relate to someone with panic attacks.\u00a0 Actually, pharmacological and therapeutic interventions have shown to be effective, and through empathy and compassion one can offer support to those who suffer from panic attacks.\u00a0 Finally, it is common to hear people advise taking deep breaths to calm panic or even to avoid what causes the panic attacks.\u00a0 First, deep breaths often incite a hyperventilation state, which exacerbates symptoms of dizziness and numbness; instead, taking shallow breaths has shown to be effective.\u00a0 Furthermore, the act of avoidance leads to living a restrictive life.\u00a0 Instead, it is important to understand that engaging in such safety behaviors reinforces fear; yet, working through these fears alongside a professional can demonstrate how one can overcome them as well as subsequent panic attacks.<\/p>\n

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References
\nAmerican Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental <\/i>disorders<\/i> (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.<\/p>\n

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Holmes, L. (2015). 9 panic attack myths we need to stop believing. <\/i>Retrieved from
\nhttp:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2015\/01\/29\/panic-attack-myths_n_6509750.html<\/p>\n

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Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Jin, R., Ruscio, A. M., Shear, K., & Walters, E. E. (2006).<\/p>\n

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The epidemiology of panic attacks, panic disorder, and agoraphobia in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry<\/i>, 63<\/i>(4), 415\u2013424. doi:10.1001\/archpsyc.63.4.415<\/p>\n

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Dannie Harris, M.A., M.A., M.A.Ed., Ed.S.,
\nWKPIC Practicum Trainee<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Panic attacks are often described as a sudden fear of dying, going crazy, with an on slot of somatic experiences (e.g., palpitations, sweating, shaking, chest pains, dizziness, paresthesias, etc.).\u00a0 Panic attacks in isolation have a high prevalence in … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,22,18,19,20,21],"tags":[208,207],"class_list":["post-1060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-continuing-education","category-current-interns","category-friday-factoids","category-mental-health-and-wellness","category-learn-something","tag-myths-about-panic-attacks","tag-panic-attacks"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1060"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1060"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1060\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1062,"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1060\/revisions\/1062"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1060"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wkpic.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}