Panic! Panic! Panic!!

So as with the Depression side of the blog, I want to keep Friday for the updates on my anxiety story too! That means Tuesdays will be used to give general info, quotes, stories etc on anxiety. 

Today, I'd like to touch upon understanding Panic Attacks in more detail, I learned most of this from my CB Therapist. 

Firstly, have a look at this chart, my therapist went over this with me when I was having a panic attack after a shopping trip the other day. It's simple, but effective -

I want to go over this in more detail - picture the scenario, I was shopping, alone, warm and sweaty. I felt like people were staring at me, talking about me and knew that something was up with me. I started to panic, felt a panic attack coming on and wanted to get out!! Lets delve a little deeper into my - 

THOUGHTS

• Everyone watching/staring
• I must smell
• People will think I'm a fat, smelly, lazy bastard
• I'll have a panic attack
• I'll be out of control
• I won't be able to get home

As I started to whip myself into a panic, my thoughts started becoming more irrational, the negativity creeped in, the intrusive nature peeked and other symptoms followed.

MOOD/EMOTIONS

•   Anxious
• Low
• Panic

 As my thoughts were racing my mood went from being normal, to going extremely low, extremely fast. I became panicky and anxious all of a sudden.

BEHAVIOUR

• Rushed along
• Escape
• Seek reassurance 
• Checked armpits for sweat
• Pulled shirt down
• Breathing control 

As my emotions and thoughts started to worsen, my behaviour started to become irrational too. I kept checking my armpits to see if I was sweating too much, I became paranoid that my back was getting too sweaty so kept pulling my shirt down, I started to breath heavier and faster. All stemming from my thought process.

PHYSICAL

•  Sweaty
• Heart racing
• Warm
• Fast breathing 

Obviously because of the above three combined, I started to sweat more, my heart did start to beat faster, I did become warmer and my breathing did become more irregular.

I'm talking you through this as I want you to get an understanding of how your body is working when in panic. Thoughts, Emotions, Behaviour and Physicality all combine to make your body think you are in a panic situation, when in reality you are not. 

Let's try another situation....Think of your favourite food? Mine is steak. Now spend a few seconds thinking about eating that food. Your mouth is watering, right? Well that's because your brain is preparing your body for that meal, when in reality you won't be eating that meal. This works the same for panic, your brain is telling your body that you are in a dangerous situation, fight or flight, when in reality you are not. That is what induces the panic attack. 

I will go further into panic attacks later on in the blog, for now this is just a little introduction to knowing what your body is going through. I believe that that will help to cure me of my panic attacks in the long run.

REMEMBER - Panic attacks are not harmful!!! They are unpleasant but not dangerous!!!