Panic attacks in the classroom

The term "panic attack" is often thrown around. You may have heard a friend say, "Oh I am having a panic attack today about this test!" For many people an actual panic attack is a serious problem and not something to be taken lightly. It is more than just having a bad day or feeling anxious about an upcoming exam. It can be a traumatic experience that is frightening and sudden.

Anxiety is a normal reaction shared by everyone to stressful situations. Normally it is a defensive reaction that helps us to to focus on dreaded tasks and is a coping mechanism, but a panic attack goes way beyond the normal feelings of stress.

A panic attack happens suddenly and without prior notice and is a feeling of intense fear for no apparent reason- giving you a feeling of total loss of control and even a feeling of death or a heart attack. Here are common symptoms from MedicineNet.com:

• "Racing" heart
• Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers
• Sense of terror, of impending doom or death
• Feeling sweaty or having chills
• Chest pains
• Breathing difficulties
• Feeling a loss of control

Understanding the nature of an attack is key: it is a disorder not an actual life threatening situation. Take deep breathes and turn your thought to a subject that is calm and relaxing- SAFE. If you are in a public setting or classroom and feel you need to leave, step out for a few minutes to gather your thoughts, let it pass and then return to the place you left. Do not let the fear of the experience reinforce the anxiety. If this is your first experience with such an episode, go to a hospital to be diagnosed and be certain that it is not a physical problem.

Most panic attack episodes start suddenly, usually peak at ten minutes, and then linger for a few hours. Some people may experience this once every few years, or quite frequently. If you have frequent attacks, you should consult with a medical professional for treatment. If left untreated, this disorder can lead into other serious problems including drug and alcohol abuse, thoughts of suicide, depression, phobias and isolation.

Self awareness of the problem is a very important first step. The other day I caught a television talk show that had a member of the rock band Guns n Roses on talking about his problem with panic attacks. He suffered frequent attacks from his late teens through his 30s without ever realizing what was really happening to him. To escape the trauma and feeling he was going crazy he turned to drugs and alcohol and almost ended his life. He stated if he new what the problem actually was he would have been able to deal with it from the start. Recognize the problem for what it is and seek help. Depending on the severity and frequency there are many different unobtrusive treatment options. Whether you are considering an online degree or going on campus, the college experience does not need to suffer because of this disorder.

For more information on panic attacks visit the following links:

Mayo Clinic

WebMD

Helpguide