What Is An Anxiety Attack?
I’m going to be honest, I really hate the term “anxiety attack” because the clinical term is “panic attack.” I’m a stickler for clinical guidelines, accurate mental health information, and I prefer to rebel against pop psychology. The DSM does not differentiate between “anxiety attacks” and “panic attacks.” Now that that’s off my chest, we can talk about panic attacks.
Panic attacks come on like a slow-building storm, crashing suddenly in an intense wave, and then dissolving. While everyone experiences anxiety at different points in their lives, a panic attack is different—often triggered by prolonged exposure to stressful circumstances, unsafe conditions, or acute worries about performance at work or school. Panic attacks can also be triggered by concerns about social events or interactions.
Everyone’s tolerance for stress is different. Some people are more prone to anxiety and panic attacks than others. Regardless of what brings on a panic attack, the effects are the same: the body’s “fight or flight” survival mechanisms are triggered in response to the perception of danger. While people are sometimes able to pinpoint the cause, that isn’t always the case.
What causes panic attacks?
While the exact cause of an panic attack can vary greatly from person to person, some of the more common sources for panic attacks include:
Childhood trauma
Exposure to stress
Medical conditions
Traumatic events
Perfectionism
Fast-paced work environments
The human body is a complex system with countless systems evolved to help it survive in the wild. Those fight or flight systems are tuned to help us escape dangerous predators, hunt prey, and stay vigilant throughout the night. Modern lifestyles mean those threats are farther and fewer between, but those systems are still on alert.
As strange as it might sound, the human body may treat a bear encounter while hiking the same as a bad social interaction with an intimidating boss or new dating relationship. When a person feels threatened, it puts their body on “high alert,” flooding their systems with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Some people’s systems are highly tuned to look for those signs of danger because of past experiences. Their bodies are like extra-sensitive smoke detectors that go off at the first sign of trouble.
What does a panic attack feel like?
As anxiety builds, a person’s body settles into a state of hypervigilence—focused on future threats instead of remaining grounded in the present. This response is often accompanied by an acute sensation of anticipatory dread.
During this process, every system in the body is impacted. Your body may undergo several changes:
Increased heart rate
Tightness in the chest
Feeling nauseous
Urgency to use the bathroom
Light-headedness
Trembling or shaking
Chills or cold sweats
Numbness or tingling
Difficulty breathing (usually rapid, shallow breathing)
Passing out (if breathing is shallow and the body isn’t getting enough oxygen)
Sense of dread
When an panic attack reaches its high point, you may feel light-headed and dizzy. Color might drain from your lips, and you may feel a sudden chill or break out into cold sweats. This is a direct result of changes taking place in your body related to blood pressure. Standing or moving suddenly might result in a fainting spell, or briefly passing out.
The experience is overwhelming and scary, especially if you don’t know what’s causing it.
It’s worth noting that panic attacks are not, on their own, dangerous. They will run their course if allowed. No one has ever died from a panic attack alone. Whenever you’re worried you might be experiencing a panic attack or similar symptoms, one of the safest things for you to do is sit or lie down if possible so that you don’t hit your head in the event that you pass out. Use grounding and coping skills to root yourself in the present moment and calm down your nervous system.
Although a panic attack can be terrifying, the best way for you to respond is by slowing things down: focus on controlled breathing exercises and grounding yourself in the moment.
Getting treatment for anxiety and panic attacks
Whether you’ve experienced panic attacks your whole life or have only recently started having them, the good news is that there are numerous effective treatments. EMDR intensives and CBT offer people the tools they need to manage anxiety and panic attacks and process the traumas, experiences, and concerns that cause them.
If you’re interested in learning more about anxiety therapy, reach out today. Helping people who suffer from long-term anxiety and stress related to trauma is one of our specialties.
Sea Glass Counseling and Consultation is an EMDR therapy practice in Dublin, Ohio. Our compassionate, skilled therapists use evidence-based techniques grounded in the neurobiology of stress, trauma, and relationships to make sure your treatment is personalized and effective. Sea Glass therapists provide telehealth counseling in Ohio for individuals and couples. We’re best known for providing Intensive EMDR therapy, anxiety treatment, and sex therapy for Christians. Interested in working together? Contact us today to get started with a Certified EMDR therapist in Ohio.