There are several erroneous beliefs concerning panic attacks that are detrimental to those who suffer. In this expose, I will discredit two of these erroneous beliefs so that you would be able to take care of your problem without any alarm. It is a fact that a positive outlook on your malady will reduce your unease connected with panic attacks and you will be able to take charge of your life again.

1. Panic attacks are a symptom of Cardiac ailment

Heart ailments are not directly related to panic attacks, though the person concerned may have a heart condition due to other reasons. The symptoms of panic attacks are akin to that of heart condition and the sufferer may feel that he has a cardiac disorder.

Panic attacks are reactions to an apparent threat and it is your body’s primitive response to equip you to escape or fight it. If you have a very high level of fear, your unconscious mind will identify it as ‘threat’ and immediately employs an action plan, which is apt to the occasion. There is no time to decipher if the threat is real or not; it immediately imagines there is, and it is the prudent supposition under the circumstances.

As the response to such a perceived threat is immediate, your mind and body gets agitated. This sudden agitation will confound you as you are ignorant of any physical threats. The effect of this distress emerges as symptoms of panic attack, which is erroneously termed as cardiac attack.

2. Individuals afflicted with Panic Attacks are crazy

The symptoms of panic attacks are, indubitably terrifying and alarm the onlookers. When symptoms such as giddiness, vomiting, unsettled stomach, etc., permeate on the person who suffers, the facial expression of the sufferer could be identical to that of a crazy person. But, there is no reason to assume that those who are afflicted with Panic Attacks are crazy people.

Most of the time the unsettling factor for the afflicted person is the dread of a further panic attack and one needs to come to terms with your suffering to prevent or reduce future attacks.

Fright or apprehension, whether conscious or unconscious, intensifies your anxiety to higher levels. This, when coincided with a traumatic situation, heightens your anxiety levels and a red flag goes up in your subconscious mind, which identifies it as a ‘threat’ and you are on the verge of another panic attack.

It is, therefore, a requirement to put a halt to this anxiety, fear and panic attack cycle to avert panic attacks and to alleviate your angst.