Debunking Common Myths about Panic Attacks
Too often, what makes people unable to get panic treatment is the inadequate or wrong information about this condition. They are either misinformed about the nature of panic attacks or they had developed their own misconceptions based on common myths about them.
If you had experienced this kind of disorder in the past and is now frequently worried that another attack will happen when you are most unprepared, it is best to educate yourself about this condition. By debunking common myths about panic attacks, you are arming yourself the power to deal with it.
Here are 3 of the top myths and misconceptions about panic attacks:
1. My panic attacks point to one thing – I am crazy. Because the physical sensations associated with it can be quite alarming (rapid heartbeats, increased breathing, sweating, trembling, difficulty to focus, etc) people who experience panic attacks tend to think of themselves as going crazy. Most people think that panic attacks are signs of a more serious mental illness, most especially the genetic disorder, schizophrenia.
The truth is people who suffer from schizophrenia usually exhibit symptoms such as hallucinations, impaired speech, delusions or strange beliefs (for example that they receive special messages from an unseen being). Trembling and sweating are not common among schizophrenics, but they are for those experiencing a panic attack.
Because it has been proven to run in families, if you had not been diagnosed to have schizophrenia before you reach the age of 25, you are most likely not suffering from it. The other difference is that schizophrenia usually develops very gradually, in contrast with panic attacks which are sudden. Schizophrenics, however are known to experience panic attacks, but it does not follow that if you regularly experience panic attacks you are also schizophrenic.
2. I will lose control during a panic attack. People who suffer from panic attacks may think that they will just make a fool of themselves in front of everybody when the panic attack happens. This is the reason why they prefer to stay away from people or situations that may trigger an attack. Sometimes, they are also afraid that panic will cause them to go berserk and go on a killing rampage or be paralyzed and unable to move.
These feelings stem from the rush of adrenaline that usually takes place during a panic attack and can sometimes cause confusion. However, it is very seldom that this over excited phase can cause you to be paralyzed or “go wild.”
3. A panic attack will cause a heart attack. Because the most notable panic symptoms are palpitations and hyperventilation, people immediately assume that this has something to do with a heart failure. However, in angina, there is massive chest pain and is related to effort. When physical effort is increased, the angina gets worse and it subsides during rest. Panic attacks on the other hand can happen even when a person is at rest.
During panic attacks, there is usually no severe pain, but just tightness in the chest brought about by unsteady breathing. Palpitations are also not a sign of a heart attack but it is quite common with someone having a panic attack. A heart attack also sends electrical changes that are diagnosed on an ECG, while the ECG result of someone during a panic attack will usually be clear.
The above are just 3 of the most common myths about panic attacks. So the short of it is during a panic attack, you are not going insane, you are not losing control and you are not having a heart attack. Self-diagnosis based on unfounded misconceptions can sometimes lead you to think that the condition is hopeless. It is best to keep yourself informed so that you lessen your fear about it and you can overcome the condition better.
