Life can sometimes bring unpleasant surprises. There could be a sudden illness, or a car crash. Perhaps a loved one died unexpectedly. When we experience trauma, it can become etched into our subconscious mind. This is because the memory becomes attached to a strong emotion, which imprints it powerfully upon our brains.
When such things occur, emotional responses can be triggered by a later event. Someone who has been bitten by a dog may panic when they see another. Some people question whether we can experience a panic attack without knowing. The answer is ‘no’, and we’re now going to find out why.
No – Because Research Confirms It
Research tells us that panic attacks are more common than you might expect, and in Australia alone up to 40% of people have experienced at least one during their lives. Australia is home to over twenty-five and a half million people, so you can imagine what research in even bigger countries can tell us. More women than men have recorded such incidents. If someone has repeated panic attacks they may be diagnosed as having a panic disorder.
It’s clear from research that when people are asked whether they have had a panic attack, they distinctly know if they have had one.
No – Because Of The Physical Symptoms
Panic attacks can make a person’s heart beat like a drum. They may feel both palpitations and chest pain. Others may feel like they are choking or very short of breath. Their mouth may become dry and their teeth may chatter.
During these attacks a person’s stomach may experience symptoms too. They may vary from pain to feelings of nausea, cramps or even needing to dash to the bathroom. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can also become an issue. Others may feel hot flushes and sweating, or chills. There may be tingling in the fingers or ringing in the ears. A person may feel dizzy or that their legs have turned to jelly. People may experience chronic fatigue after the event too.
These are powerful and unpleasant symptoms, and they may last for between five and twenty minutes.
No – Because Of The Mental Symptoms
After the event, someone may recall the experience to another, saying. ‘Oh my goodness – I felt like I was going mad. It was like everything was getting out of control. I was afraid I was going to have a heart attack, or even die!’
The person may have experienced strong feelings of unease and dread. A sense of detachment (dissociation) is also common. This is where the person no longer feels connected to reality. It’s as though they aren’t even in their body when the panic attack happens.
No – Because Of The Protection Mechanism
If someone has a car crash, they may experience a panic attack whilst driving on a later occasion. If they have two crashes, this can compound the issue psychologically.
Someone may seek to protect themself by not driving anymore, or may be anxious when someone else takes them in their car. In a similar way, anyone who falls off a horse may be reluctant to ride one again.
No – Because The Cause Will Always Be Known
Children have no psychological filters to protect them when they are young. If a boy is poorly he may become traumatised by the experience or the medical treatment that follows. A girl who is verbally or sexually abused will be adversely affected too. In adulthood such experiences as bereavement can traumatise us. So can an abusive relationship, or being made redundant from work. The Coronavirus has given multitudes worldwide their first taste of panic attacks too.
People can be susceptible to panic attacks because of exaggerated thinking or their genes. Perhaps a family member already has a panic disorder. It may be a case of someone’s brain chemistry and a chemical imbalance, or because they have a very sensitive disposition. Substance abuse can also make people more susceptible to these attacks.
Whatever the factors involved, a trigger event would be needed to create the panic disorder. As we have seen, such events occur all over the world and bring trauma to people. Sufferers experience extreme physical symptoms and psychological experiences during the attacks. As a result many people seek to avoid exposure to similar situations in the future.
If the condition doesn’t rectify itself, medical help may be in order. There may be medication or psychological support that can help the person. There may be breathing exercises to do, or Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT). A person may take up pilates or come off stimulants during this time. A support group may also be beneficial.
There is no reason why the symptoms should not reduce over time, when adequate strategies have been put in place. The person can then walk into their future freedom.