The Panic loop

 

 

Example #1: Panic Attack in a Supermarket

Jennifer, a 35-year-old lady, suffers from generalized anxiety disorder and suffers from panic episodes on occasion. Jennifer chooses to go grocery shopping at a busy store one day. As she travels through the aisles, she becomes increasingly overwhelmed by the busy environment and the sounds of shopping carts and chatter.

Jennifer's heart begins to race, and she experiences a wave of panic and worry. Her chest is constricted, and she is struggling to catch her breath. Her palms begin to sweat, and her legs grow shaky. The feeling of being imprisoned in the store heightens her anxiety, and she fears collapsing or losing control in front of others.

Jennifer finds it difficult to concentrate on her shopping list or even think clearly as her panic attack worsens. She has the impression that everyone is staring at her, which adds to her anxiety and shame. Jennifer hastily abandons her shopping cart and dashes toward the exit, desperate to escape the situation.

Jennifer takes deep breaths outside the supermarket to try to calm herself down. Her heart rate gradually decreases, and she regains control of her breathing. She waits on a nearby bench till the panic crisis passes.

Example #2: Panic Attack During a Flight

Michael, a 40-year-old guy, suffers from aviophobia, or a fear of flying. Despite his apprehension, he must fly for a work trip. Michael begins to feel anxious and restless as the jet takes off and reaches cruising altitude.

Michael's anxiousness grows as the trip progresses, and he begins to exhibit physical symptoms of a panic attack. His heartbeat quickens and he begins to sweat profusely. His hands tremble uncontrollably, and he feels dizzy and lightheaded.

Michael's distress is heightened by his fear of being imprisoned in the plane and his inability to escape throughout the journey. He attempts to divert himself by watching a movie, but being trapped in such a small place only adds to his anxiety.

He is concerned that he will disrupt the flight or cause a commotion, which adds to his nervousness. Michael feels frantic to get off the plane and considers requesting permission from the flight attendants. However, he is aware that this is not possible during the trip and focuses on breathing deeply and remaining as calm as possible.

Michael's nervousness begins to ease as the plane begins its descent for landing. The idea of arriving at his destination brings some relief, and he begins to feel more in command of his emotions. His panic attack has mostly subsided by the time the plane touches down, though he is still unsettled and apprehensive.

Panic attacks are caused by different conditions and fears in both scenarios, resulting in significant physical and emotional symptoms. Panic attacks can be painful and overwhelming, and finding professional assistance and support is critical for effectively managing and coping with them.

Example #3: College Student

Samantha is a college student who is experiencing increased stress and anxiety as a result of her excessive academic workload and personal concerns. Samantha felt a wave of great terror come over her one afternoon while sitting in a large lecture classroom.

Her heart begins to race as she strains to catch her breath. Her chest tightens and she starts to hyperventilate. Samantha begins to feel lightheaded and disoriented, and her hands tremble uncontrollably.

Samantha feels overcome with a sense of impending doom as panic sets in, despite the fact that no specific threat is present. Her fear is heightened by her loss of control over her body and mind.

Samantha, who is afraid and ashamed, tries to leave the lecture hall to get some fresh air, but her legs are weak and she can hardly stand. She is afraid of collapsing in front of her peers, so she clings to her desk, hoping the fright would pass.

Samantha is completely overwhelmed and out of control as the panic episode reaches its climax. Tears trickle down her cheeks as she tries to regain her calm. Samantha's breathing and heart rate gradually return to normal as the acute sensations fade.

Samantha is psychologically and physically exhausted after the panic attack. She attempts to relax, telling herself that it was simply a panic episode and that she is not in any danger.

Samantha realizes that her anxiety has been building up over time, and that this panic attack was precipitated by the excessive stress she has been facing. She decides to get counseling from a counselor at her college in order to acquire coping methods and better control her anxiety.

Samantha has a panic attack in this example as a result of overwhelming tension and anxiety. Panic attacks vary in severity and duration, but they frequently entail a sudden and strong surge of dread and physical symptoms that can be painful and difficult to control. Seeking expert assistance and developing coping skills can be helpful in managing and lowering the frequency of panic episodes.

Panic attacks are caused by different conditions and fears in both scenarios, resulting in significant physical and emotional symptoms. Panic attacks can be painful and overwhelming, and finding professional assistance and support is critical for effectively managing and coping with them.

Panic Step 1

Almost everyone’s first panic attack is triggered by an unusual bodily sensation. Anxiety-related bodily sensations usually arise out of the blue and trigger intense confusion and fear. Common bodily sensations people report are a pounding heart, tightness of chest or throat, shortness of breath, a dizzy spell, and pins and needles. Whatever the sensation, it is alarming you, and you react with fear as you dread something bad is about to happen to your body. “You might wonder, is this a heart attack?

Panic Step 2

If you continue to overreact with fear and confusion to the sensations you feel, your body’s fight or flight response mechanism is switched on. This is the biological mechanism that is designed to keep you safe from real threats like being chased by a lion. It is the mixture of this biological mechanism within you not knowing what is happening to you, that triggers a FULL BLOWN panic attack.

Panic Step 3

Eventually, the waves of panic subside once the fight or flight response deactivates. The problem is that you still feel freaked out by what just happened and very much on edge because of all the chemicals that were released during the panic attack. This feeling of sensitization and general anxiety can last for hours after a panic attack.

Panic Step 4

It is now the fear of another panic attack (fear of fear) that keeps you trapped in an anxious state of mind. You think avoidance is the best way to prevent further panic attacks and that leads you to avoid situations or places that might trigger another episode. Because you are constantly on the lookout for the next panic attack, your body stays anxious and sensitized. This tension creates, yes you guessed it, more anxious bodily sensations, looping you back to stage 1. The panic loop is now established. You can see from the above example how one incident of a panic attack can trap a person into a continuous loop of panic and anxiety. This loop can last weeks or years, depending on the help a person receives. The program teaches you how to short-circuit the panic loop after the first step so the panic loop is immediately broken.

This Is Where Your Problem Lies

This is the key factor that makes the difference between those who fully eliminate panic attacks from their lives and those who do not. It is when the individual no longer fears the thought of having a panic attack.

This may seem like a simplified and obvious observation but give it careful consideration. The one thing that has you searching for a solution to anxiety and panic attacks this very moment is the fear of having another one.

The first time a person experiences a panic attack it can feel like their world is falling down around them. owhere feels safe as the anxiety becomes like a stalker lurking in the background.

When this happens people begin to either avoid situations that make them anxious or they medicate themselves to the point where they are numb to the fear. I am sure you will agree neither of the above is a satisfactory solution.

What the program (Panic Away ) does, and in particular the 21-7 Technique, is give people the ability to stop fearing another panic attack.

The really unique element of the technique, is that there is no need for you to regress into your past and find out why you had your initial panic attack in order to get results. All that is needed is your willingness to break out of the panic loop. Are you ready to try this right now?

Break this cycle of fear with a tool that will allow you to never fear another panic attack

It seems clear that other courses and treatments out there are not showing people how to end their anxiety. Rather than fully empowering you, they teach coping mechanisms and strategies on how to get over a panic attack once it happens. That is not good enough. Just coping with this condition is not good enough. People need a program that teaches them how to free themselves from ever having another panic attack again.

You are a lot braver than you give yourself credit for!

Dealing with anxiety is no easy feat. You feel a sense of shame because of the way you feel; but you are a lot braver than you think you are. You already do the bravest of things. You get up each day and get on with life. It does not make headline news, but it counts because it is real bravery, true courage. The average person has no idea how terrifying a panic attack can be or how upsetting all day general anxiety is, BUT you get on with it regardless. You go to work, you pick the kids up, and you look after your family. You do this even when you are feeling really bad! If you had a physical complaint, people could understand. However, when you say it is ‘anxiety.’ they look at you a little strangely. You will be the hero of your own life when you overcome this struggle.