Understanding Panic Attacks

I want to talk to you about something that’s likely touched you or someone you know: panic attacks. They can be overwhelming and downright terrifying. But there’s a better way to handle them than you might think. Let’s dive in together.

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety that triggers severe physical reactions, even though there’s no real danger or apparent cause. You might feel like you’re losing control, having a heart attack, or even dying. But did you know that a tiny, almond-shaped part of your brain, known as the amygdala plays a crucial role?

Your Friend, The Amygdala.

The amygdala is your brain’s “fear centre.” It’s a primitive part of our brains, designed to keep us safe by triggering a ‘fight or flight’ response to perceived threats. When it functions as it should, it’s a lifesaver. But when it misfires, it can lead to panic attacks.

In a panic attack, your amygdala effectively sounds a false alarm. It floods your system with adrenaline and other stress hormones, causing your heart to pound, your breath to quicken, and your muscles to tense. All so you have increased strength, speed and sharper reaction time in case you need to fight or fly. It’s a full-blown physical reaction to a threat that isn’t there.

It’s here that I want to share a wisdom nugget from Dr Harry Barry, an esteemed Irish author and medical doctor renowned for his expertise in mental health. I am a keen follower of his work. He once said, “The amygdala is like a gunslinger. Its single function is to point and shoot, but it doesn’t understand the difference between a real threat and a perceived one. It just reacts.”

In other words, your amygdala doesn’t realize it’s making a mistake. It believes it’s doing its job correctly. It’s up to you to teach it otherwise, and you can with some help.

Sounding familiar? Take action now.

So, What Can I Do About Panic Attacks?

So, how do you do this? Well, the first step might surprise you: don’t fight the panic attack. I mean it, DO NOT FIGHT A PANIC ATTACK!

I know it sounds counterintuitive. But bear with me. The more you try to resist a panic attack, the more you signal to your amygdala that there’s something to fear, and the more the gunslinger will fire. It’s like throwing fuel on a fire. It just makes everything worse.

Instead, try to accept what’s happening. Understand that it’s just your amygdala misfiring, and remember that a panic attack can’t physically harm you. It’s just an uncomfortable sensation that will pass. Let me be clear on this; it’s uncomfortable, not dangerous.

Now, I’m not saying this is easy. It’s not. It’s tough, and it takes practice. That’s where strategic psychotherapy comes into play.

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Strategic Psychotherapy To Treat Panic Attacks

Strategic psychotherapy is a specific approach to therapy that focuses on problem-solving and finding practical solutions to specific issues. In the case of panic attacks, the goal is to retrain your brain and your amygdala.

By working with a skilled therapist, you’ll learn techniques to help you react differently to the onset of a panic attack. This might involve cognitive-behavioural strategies to change your thought patterns or exposure techniques to gradually acclimate you to the sensations of a panic attack in a safe and controlled environment.

The more you practice these techniques, the better your brain recognises that a panic attack isn’t a real threat. Over time, this can help to reduce the frequency and intensity of your panic attacks.

Dr. Barry emphasizes this point: “Retraining the amygdala is like teaching a child. It’s all about repetition and consistency. The more you can respond calmly to a panic attack, the better your amygdala will become at recognizing there’s no real threat.”

I want to leave you with this thought: if you suffer from panic attacks, there’s hope. It might not seem like it when you’re in the grips of an attack, but it’s true. You don’t need to do it alone if you’re suffering from panic attacks. Reach out today!