Who gets panic attacks?ControllersThe most likely people to develop the panic habit are, in my experience, those who believe in being 'strong' in the sense of being good at controlling their emotions. Controlling or suppressing or denying one's emotions is unhealthy and there is an eventual price to pay - and this price sometimes manifests itself as a series of panic attacks. However these people are also likely to be the most determined to stick with a programme of eradicating the panic habit. Given the right methods they will apply themselves to sorting things out, providing that months or years of panicking has not so undermined their confidence and self esteem that they are demoralised. People-helpersAnother group who are susceptible to panics are those who are great at supporting and helping others in distress. They often so this at the expense of their own needs. Often they will have learned as quite young children to suppress their own needs to look after their brothers, sisters, or even their parents. Years later they are so immersed in their unconscious crusade to help other people and protect them from pain and suffering that they have forgotten how to look after themselves. |