What is a Panic Attack?

This is an unpleasant and quite terrifying experience that can have many names e.g. panic attack, panic habit, social phobia, panic disorder, anxiety reaction, acute stress disorder or agoraphobia.

The term `panic attack' is used to describe an uncomfortable and upwardly spiraling state of anxiety, fear, and intense mental and physical arousal coupled with an intense fear of the state itself.

If you experience panics it is important to remember that it is a learned behavioural habit and not a ' personality disorder ' nor a reflection of some inherent character weakness.

And because it is a learned behaviour it can be ‘unlearned' and you can return to normal life quite quickly. This takes a little time and quite a bit of dedication - but it can be done.

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Panic attacks and what to do about them