Unfortunately, it’s kinda
hard to tell. Genetics can
raise your risk by 5 to
17 per cent, according
to a 2011 study, and a
panic attack can be an
overreaction to a minor
event. But we’re sorry
to say, panic is usually
pretty random. “The
particular moment when
an attack strikes may
be calm,” says Chansky.
Having one could mean
you’re under chronic
stress. Freaking out while
you’re deciding between
eyeshadow palettes
at Sephora could be a
signal that you’re feeling
torn apart by your
parents’ increasingly
nasty divorce. That lack
of a clear trigger is a big
part of what can make
episodes so very
disconcerting.Like so many things
at once. Four or more
of these symptoms
together equal a panic
attack: sweating, chills
or hot flashes (your body
is trying to regulate
its temperature),
palpitations (adrenaline
is surging), trembling
or shaking, numbness
or tingling (as your
body pumps blood to
your limbs), dizziness,
disorientation, or even
the feeling that you’re
floating above your body,
shortness of breath or
feeling as though you’re
choking (this is the fear
response kicking in... but
that alone can scare the
ish out of you), feeling out
of control, and fearing
you’re about to die.ATTACK OR JUST STRESS?
WHY THE HECK IS
THIS HAPPENING?!WHAT DOES PANIC
FEEL LIKE?HOW CAN I STOP IT?
body
WORDS BY DANIELLE MCNALLY; VIRGINIA SOLE-SMITH. ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREGORY REID. PROP STYLIST: ANGELA CAMPOS. MANICURE BY RACHEL SHIM USING DIOR VERNIS. MODEL: WANDA/PARTS MODELSMost panic attacks
are over in about 10
minutes, according
to the University of
Pennsylvania School
of Medicine. To help one
pass, find a quiet room,
sit down and breathe
slowly. Moving to a new
location helps your body
think you’ve “escaped”
danger. Repeating a
mantra might help: try
This is harmless. If you
start to hyperventilate,
the old paper-bag trick
helps – it rebalances
the gases in your
bloodstream, says Dr
Carole Lieberman, a
psychiatrist. Put your
head between your legs
to get blood to your brain.
If you keep having panic
attacks, ask your doctor
to recommend a good
therapist, who can target
coping strategies for
your symptoms. #COSMOPOLITAN November 2016 67