Panic Attacks
If you have ever had a panic attack, you know that they can be terrifying. Out of nowhere, the sufferer is paralyzed with fear and helplessness, unsure of how to best handle the situation. Panic attacks can last up to an hour (although usually only last a few minutes). Physical symptoms of a panic attack include: the inability to breathe properly, a pounding heart that can cause chest pain, and weakness and/or dizziness.
Many find that mindfulness can be helpful when dealing with a panic attack. For instance, one technique is to look around and find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This helps bring you back to your current reality.
Like we mentioned above with digestive issues, the relationship with panic attacks and anxiety is cyclical: experiencing anxiety can lead to a panic attack and experiencing panic attacks can lead to anxiety as they are unpredictable and can occur at any time and anywhere.
