Panic Attacks

Nowadays, panic attacks are one of the most common symptoms of anxiety. In Freud’s time, the equivalent symptom was hysteria; however, with the evolution of social norms and the changes that accompany it, the form of symptoms has also changed. What exactly caused this shift, and why did the hysteria of the past give way to panic attacks today? The answer to this question requires an understanding of a complex network of social changes that affect both the individual and the behavior of broader social groups.

More specifically, from a patriarchal society of duty and prohibition that fostered and amplified hysteria, we have moved to a society of multiple and urgent demands, the fulfillment of which often seems to exceed an individual’s capacities and limits. The fast-paced rhythm of everyday life, the need to simultaneously respond to multiple and often conflicting roles, and the constant sense of lack of time and fulfillment often lead to intense anxiety, which in its extreme form manifests as a panic attack.

The most common symptoms of a panic attack include heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feelings of choking or suffocation, chest discomfort, nausea, dizziness, chills or hot flashes, numbness or tingling. Alongside this physical discomfort, the individual often experiences an intense fear that they may faint, die, or even lose control or “go crazy,” along with a general sense that something terrible is about to happen. This feeling of an impending catastrophe usually peaks within about half an hour, after which the person feels exhausted, weak, and emotionally drained.

These symptoms can often mislead individuals about their true cause. For example, someone may believe they are having a heart attack, leading them to seek medical tests at a hospital. However, these tests usually confirm that there is no underlying physical condition. Eventually, the individual realizes that what they are experiencing is a sudden wave of anxiety, striking like a tsunami and strongly affecting the body.

Things become even more difficult when the individual realizes that a panic attack is not an isolated episode but begins to occur repeatedly. In such cases, the person develops a generalized state of fear regarding the possibility of another episode, often leading to avoidant behavior and limiting daily activities. The consequences can significantly affect professional development and personal relationships, creating a vicious cycle of anxiety and panic attacks.

Panic attacks often occur when intense stressors enter a person’s life, such as separation, loss, rejection, loneliness, or major life changes. However, in many cases, they appear without a clear cause, which increases fear and the sense of helplessness. This lack of explanation makes the experience even more frightening and difficult to understand.

Psychotherapy helps individuals understand the connection between a panic attack and the underlying emotional tension that causes it. Through this process, the panic attack is no longer experienced as an unexplained and terrifying event but begins to make sense. The individual no longer feels helpless but gradually gains control and distance from the symptoms.

In this way, fear is reduced and the ability to manage anxiety is strengthened. Panic attack treatment allows individuals to identify the sources of their anxiety and stop experiencing the symptoms passively, taking an active role in their lives again.