Recently, meteorologist Nate Byrne in Australia was delivering a weather forecast on live TV when he began experiencing a panic attack. While stepping towards the studio’s “weather wall”, he was suddenly short of breath, a common trigger for him. He recounted feeling a tingling sensation, breaking out in sweat, and an intense urge to flee.
It wasn’t the first time Byrne had struggled with a panic attack on live TV. His colleagues, aware of his condition, acted swiftly. Byrne informed viewers of his condition, swiftly handed over to the show’s anchor and stepped off camera to regain control.
Are you equipped to assist someone having a panic attack? Do you understand what it entails? A panic attack is a surge of paralysing fear and anxiety that manifests physically. It can mimic symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain, rapid heart rate, difficulty in breathing, a sense of impending doom, and dizziness, according to cardiologist Dr Harmony Reynolds.
In the throes of a panic attack, an individual’s speech may be incoherent, as a result of heightened anxiety, and despite the internal struggle, the outward appearance often conceals the turmoil. Clinical psychologist, Lynn Bufka points out often the only way to identify someone experiencing a panic attack is if they articulate it.
Differentiating between panic attacks and heart attacks can be challenging. Although panic attacks usually don’t necessitate a hospital visit, uncertainty or suspicions of suicidal inclinations warrant immediate medical attention at an Emergency Department, experts advise.
Typically, panic attacks tend to subside within a quarter of an hour whereas heart attack symptoms could persist longer or disappear then return. Therefore, if symptoms persist, it’s recommended to seek medical assistance, states Dr Reynolds.
It’s more probable that it’s a panic attack if a person encounters similar symptoms in certain circumstances, such as when in crowded places or public speaking, she further explains.
What should you be alert for?
If you are close to individual who tends to have panic attacks, it’s critical to acquaint yourself with the incoming signs of an episode and advise them to do the same.
A psychology professor, Dacher Keltner, had over 100 panic attacks in his thirties. He saw a doctor multiple times when the attacks initially started. He often thought his life was in danger and wanted the doctor to examine his heart.
However, each time he was declared medically fit.
Ultimately, he began to monitor his body’s sensations in a neutral and non-reactive manner. He did this to ensure the physical symptoms did not overpower him. He would regularly affirm to himself that his feelings were temporary: “This is transient, I’ve been here before.”
What can you do to offer assistance?
One of the vital steps is to stay with the individual, keeping them calm, says Dr Ramaswamy Viswanathan, president of the American Psychiatric Association. Speak in a slow manner, using words of reassurance to let them know they are safe and that the panic attack is a short-term event, he adds.
Panic attacks typically escalate swiftly, often within just a few minutes and peak for a few minutes before their intensity reduces, Dr Viswanathan explains.
Prompting the person to concentrate on their breathing can be helpful. You can even join them in breathing exercises. The aim is to breathe slowly from the stomach, rather than the chest, to expand the lungs. Sometimes, it can be helpful to engage in repetitive physical movements such as raising their arms or stomping their feet, says Dr Viswanathan.
Over time, panic attacks become less daunting as individuals learn various coping mechanisms, according to Bufka.
Byrne, a weather forecaster, candidly discussed his struggles with panic attacks in 2022. He revealed seeking help from a psychologist and utilising beta blockers, drugs that have the ability to reduce the physical effects of one’s stress-induced “fight or flight” reactions. During his initial public anxiety attack on television, Byrne believed his professional life had come to an end. However, he penned that openly discussing his anxiety and actively seeking help made it a manageable aspect of his life. It has also enabled him to continue with his passion. This story was originally published in the New York Times.