The panic attacks started in my early twenties, when I began law school. A
panic attack feels like you’re about to have a heart attack and can happen for two
reasons: one, because you have something scary to do (public speaking, facing an
ex, getting on airplane), or two, for no reason at all.
If you’ve never had a panic attack, here’s the best way to describe them: it’s
when your mind and body have a “near miss” experience that’s totally out of
context. Allow me to explain using a really simple analogy.
Normal Panic vs. Panic Attacks
There will be tons of times in your life when you will panic and it will be
completely normal. Let’s say you are driving a car and are about to change lanes on
the highway. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car races by you and cuts you off, you
swerve to get out of the way but they nearly miss you. When a “near miss” happens
on the highway you feel a surge of adrenaline race through your body. Your heart
races. Your breath speeds up. Your cortisol surges. Your body goes into a state of
hyper-alertness so you can take control of the car. You might even get a little
sweaty.
As soon as your body freaks out, it triggers your mind to find a reason why your
body is so agitated. In this example on the highway, your brain knows you almost
got in a car crash and that’s why your body freaked out.