Panic attack: simple steps to help you get through an attack
20 January 19:39
Panic attacks are not a new phenomenon and did not appear solely because of the war, but today they are discussed much more and diagnosed more accurately. Social media, public discussions, and the difficult living conditions during the war have made this topic visible to society. Psychologist and cognitive-behavioral therapist Vadym Melnyk spoke about this in an interview with the YouTube channel "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to Melnik, the widespread belief that panic attacks have become much more common is not entirely true. In fact, the expert believes that society’s attitude toward this problem has changed.
“I wouldn’t say that panic attacks have become more common. I think people are just talking about them more. And they have started to be diagnosed better,” he says, adding that this has been facilitated by the development of social networks and the popularity of blogs dedicated to mental health.
Melnik also explained that a panic attack is a form of anxiety disorder and has clear physiological and psychological manifestations. During an attack, a person may experience a strong heartbeat, shortness of breath, and acute fear for their life or mental state.
“Panic attacks are a form of anxiety disorder characterized by a person experiencing an instant feeling of fear, which usually develops to a peak within 10 minutes.
The person experiences a very strong heartbeat and may feel as if they are suffocating. At the same time, there is a very persistent feeling that the person is either going crazy, losing consciousness, or dying,” he added, specifying that panic attacks are paroxysmal in nature, which is why they are called that.
When talking about how to act during a panic attack, the psychologist warns against looking for “universal advice.” The key to overcoming an attack, he says, is to stop fighting the fear and understand the nature of this condition.
One practical way to alleviate the condition is to shift your attention from internal sensations to external stimuli.
“It is worth shifting your attention from these internal sensations to something external. You can switch to a certain smell or sound,” he explains.
At the same time, the psychologist emphasizes that if panic attacks occur regularly, this may indicate panic disorder and require professional help.
