Panic attacks: Doctor details symptoms and effective treatments
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“I haven’t conquered my panic,” Nadiya Hussain told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I never will.” Before showcasing her talent to viewers of the popular baking programme, Nadiya suffered from a panic disorder for more than 20 years. “A panic attack makes me feel like I’m going to die,” Nadiya explained. “Imagine your whole life thinking you are going to die every single day.”
Nadiya admits that she still fights her panic disorder “every day”.
She quipped: “With a left hook here and a jab there I have accomplished so much more than I ever imagined.”
Panic disorder
The NHS explained: “Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where you regularly have sudden attacks of panic or fear.”
For those suffering from a panic disorder, like Nadiya, feelings of anxiety, stress and panic are felt regularly – and at any time – for no apparent reason.
One of the main symptoms of a panic disorder is a feeling of unease, otherwise known as anxiety.
While feelings of anxiety can range from mild to severe, panic is described as the “worst form of anxiety”.
As such, people may start to avoid certain situations believing it could trigger another attack.
Take Nadiya’s experience, for example; when she was getting ready to film the first episode of Bake Off, she had to go through a lot of everyday situations that she had shielded herself away from for many years.
It was the first time she had taken a taxi, train, or the London underground alone.
Recalling that day, Nadiya said: “My anxiety mounted, I perspired through the missed trains, the sweaty pits and the quiet tears.”
People living with a panic disorder may create a cycle of avoiding situations and places to help prevent feelings of fear.
This could, understandably, lead to a very restrictive lifestyle that can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life.
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Panic attacks
People with a panic disorder are likely to experience panic attack, where the body is flooded with intense sensations.
Physical symptoms of a panic attack include:
- A racing heartbeat
- Feeling faint
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Trembling
- Hot flushes
- Chills
- Shaky limbs
- A choking sensation
- Dizziness
- Numbness or pins and needles
- Dry mouth
- A need to go to the toilet
- Ringing in your ears
- A feeling of dread or a fear of dying
- A churning stomach
- A tingling in your fingers
- Feeling like you’re not connected to your body.
Some of these symptoms can suddenly appear, seemingly out of nowhere, which panic attacks lasting from five to 20 minutes.
Such a frightening and distressing experience can become commonplace for somebody who has a panic disorder.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can be a great tool to help overcome a panic disorder.
During a panic attack, people are advised to “breathe slowly and deeply” and to remember that a panic attack will not harm you.
It is also advisable to avoid sugary food and drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine as these can make panic attacks worse.
Nadiya’s Fast Flavours continues on Thursday, November 18 at 8.30pm on BBC Two.
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