How Panic Attacks Can Destroy Your Life

Panic attacks affect a lot of people and can feel very scary when they come about. They are characterized by sudden and intense surges of panic, fear, and anxiety. They can feel so overwhelming that they even create physical as well as emotional symptoms and can ruin a person’s life. Most people who experience panic attacks may find difficulty breathing, become sweaty, tremble, and have a racing heart.

Panic Attacks and Your Daily Life

Many people who suffer from panic attacks will find themselves avoiding situations where they previously experienced a panic attack. They may try to hide what they are going through and pull away from friends and family to keep quiet about what is going on. Other people may turn to unhealthy habits as a way to cope with what they are going through. Whatever the outcome of methods tried, a person’s entire life can be destroyed as a result of persistent panic attacks.

Panic disorders can affect every area of your life as well as your mental health. The three most affected areas of your life, outside of your mental health, that are affected include your family, relationships, and work or school.

 

  1. Family

Panic attacks can often make us grow weary of being around the ones that we love. Perhaps you are trying to hide your panic attacks from your family and are afraid that they will see you have one. You find yourself unable to leave your home or attend a weekend event with them out of fear they will see you suffering. Family can sometimes even be the source of your anxiety and panic attacks, so you begin to avoid them for that reason. Perhaps your family dynamic is not the greatest and that causes you a great deal of anxiety. For whatever reason, you start to pull away from your family or spouse.

 

  1. Relationships

Relationships with friends or a partner, new or old, can be very anxiety-producing at times. A person suffering from panic attacks may refuse dates, going out with friends, or making new friends avoid people and social situations. They begin to push people away out of fear they will be judged for what they are dealing with or to avoid the stressful situation altogether. When you push away friends and romantic relationships long enough, the offers to go out lessen until you are completely left alone. This only increases the amount of panic you feel as you now truly do feel all alone.

 

  1. Work or school

Many people feel that their job or school is stressful enough to cause a panic attack. They begin to suffer in their obligations until your grades may suffer or your job is on the line. Panic attacks may also come from the fear of not being perfect. You are a high achiever and strive for perfection; this added stress of being the best could take a toll on your mental health. Some may become fearful of having a full-blown panic attack in front of their coworkers or boss, causing them to pull away.

How to Calm Down from a Panic Attack

Deep breathing is the best way to calm down the symptoms of a panic attack. Getting control of your breathing is very important as most people in the middle of a panic attack are breathing very fast. This causes rapid heartbeat and dizziness to the point where you can even faint. To practice deep breathing, all you need to do is take a slow and deep breath in through your nose; hold it for a few seconds, and then exhale. Repeat this and breathe consciously. Be sure you pause in between each breath to avoid hyperventilating. You can do this in any position that is most comfortable for you; standing, sitting, or laying down.

If you are still finding trouble dealing with your panic attacks, you should consult with a therapist to get your panic attacks on track. Here at Voices of Mental Health, we can help you, find the best therapist suited for you.

Medically Reviewed: September 25, 2019

Dr Ashley

Cayla Clark, BA

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

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Dr Ashley Murray obtained her MBBCh Cum Laude in 2016. She currently practices in the public domain in South Africa. She has an interest in medical writing and has a keen interest in evidence-based medicine.


All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

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