Question of the week

What is Panic Attack and How to Tackle it?

A panic attack is a rush of intense psychological (mental) and physical symptoms. One may feel an overwhelming sense of fear and a sense of unreality, as if he’s detached from the world around. He may also experience a sensation that the heart is beating irregularly (palpitations), sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, a choking sensation, chest pain, or feeling sick. Most panic attacks last five to 20 minutes. The physical symptoms are caused by one’s body going into ‘fight or flight’ mode in response to something he thinks is a threat. As his body tries to take in more oxygen, the breathing quickens. His body also releases hormones, such as adrenaline, causing the heart to beat faster and muscles to tense up. In such cases, one must slow down breathing. It can ease other symptoms. One should cup his hands together over the mouth and nose, breathe in deeply through nose, breathe out slowly through mouth and remain calm. He will feel better as the level of carbon dioxide in the blood returns to normal.