Surprising Facts about Anxiety and Panic Attacks that Everyone Needs to Know

Most of us have heard about anxiety or panic attacks and believe we know exactly what they mean. However, if you have never experienced those symptoms, you might be surprised and realize how little we know.

I’m sure no one alive four years ago will ever forget where they were, what they did, who they were with, or how they felt when the world was rocked to the core by the catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic. To be honest, many of us initially ignored those first reports, alerts, and warnings, chalking them off to media gimmicks and overdramatization.

Remember, none of us had experienced a pandemic before in our lifetime, so the concept was rather foreign to us. Seemingly overnight, we all realized that we knew someone who was sick, hospitalized, had lost someone, or had lost their lives. Millions of people experienced anxiety or panic attacks, much to their surprise.

Fact 1: Even the strongest can have anxiety or panic attacks

As dreadful as the situation can be, many can convince themselves that they are the strong ones emotionally, invulnerable to attack. Even while helping others, organizing things for the community, or being the face of strength and reliability, people can still have a panic attack.

One such woman reports being a community leader and being taken by surprise by a panic attack. She reports the memories of the day are still crystal clear in her mind. She remembers waking up feeling like she had fallen into moving water with a strange, wave-like feeling. She kept getting intense chest pains that would grip her suddenly and subside within a few minutes.

She was shaking and sweating profusely. Her heart was racing and pounding in her chest, and she felt feverish. With hands and legs feeling as heavy as lead, she eventually couldn’t even take a full breath.

Fact 2: Panic attacks can feel like a heart attack

A panic attack can feel like you are having a heart attack! It has all the classic symptoms, and the chest pain might be more than you have ever had before. While both heart and panic attacks cause chest pain, one of the main differences is that with a real heart attack, pain radiates to other areas like the arm, jaw, or neck, whereas, with a panic attack, the pain will typically stay in the chest area. Of course, if you think you are having a heart attack, you should call 911.

Fact 3: You can control how long your panic attacks last

Sometimes, despite being determined not to panic, the whole episode starts all over again. Ironically, the fear and anxiety that you are experiencing a dire health crisis prolongs the attack.

Panic attacks typically occur as a result of misinterpreting the physical symptoms of anxiety. You can have some control over how long it lasts, and the best thing you can do is not fight it. Instead, take slow, calming breaths and try to distract yourself.

Fact 4: You can prevent attacks by understanding your anxieties

Although everyone has different anxiety triggers, once you’ve had one, it’s important to evaluate what was going on immediately around you, what you were thinking about, or how it started. It’s important to practice self-care and understand potential causes and measures to control your anxiety or panic attacks. Seeking professional support to effectively manage anxiety and panic attacks helps prevent them from happening again.

Getting the help you need

If you are plagued with anxiety or panic attacks, it is important to seek out help. Could you relate to the symptoms described above? We have a team of trained therapists in Valencia who would be happy to help you explore the root issues that fuel your anxiety. Get in touch with our office today at Valencia Christian Counseling and we will help you schedule an appointment.