A pounding heart, crushing chest pain and debilitating terror may sound like the signs of a heart attack, but for those who suffer from panic attacks, these scary symptoms are all too common. Sound familiar? You’re not alone – up to a third of people will experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime*, while others will have regular attacks or several in a short space of time.
Whatever your experience, there are ways to bring a panic attack under control. Here, our experts explain what could help…
What happens?
‘A panic attack is an intense emotional and physical response to a sense of dread or fear,’ says psychologist Dr Alison McClymont. ‘It may have an obvious trigger (such as being under stress), but it may also come on seemingly unprovoked and can make you feel as if your health – or, in extreme situations, your life – is under threat.’
… is the average length of a
