Busting Myths: 5 Common Misconceptions about Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are surrounded by a swirling vortex of misconceptions and half-truths. Such misinformation can perpetuate stigma and prevent those suffering from seeking help. Let’s to set the record straight by debunking some of the most prevalent myths about panic attacks.

It’s worth noting that panic attacks are far more common than we might think. The American Psychological Association estimates that about one in every 75 people might experience a panic attack [1]. Panic attacks are serious, real, and can be incredibly distressing.

They deserve understanding, not stigma.

🙅‍♀️ Myth 1: Panic attacks are just a sign of weakness or a lack of willpower

This misconception paints panic attacks as a character flaw or moral failing. It’s an insidious myth that shames those experiencing panic attacks and undermines the seriousness of their condition.

But here’s the reality:

Panic attacks are complex events influenced by various biological and psychological factors. These can include genetics, brain chemistry, major life changes, and even physical conditions like heart disease [2] .

🙅‍♀️ Myth 2: Panic attacks are always caused by a specific trigger or situation

The assumption that panic attacks are always a response to specific triggers can be misleading. While it’s true that panic attacks can occur in response to specific fears or phobias, not all panic attacks are so predictable.

There are two main types of panic attacks: expected and unexpected [3]. Expected panic attacks are indeed triggered by specific stimuli. However, unexpected panic attacks, also known as panic disorder, can occur without any apparent cause.

You can have your first panic attack out of the blue while watching TV, without a prior build up of stress wasn’t stressed, or without being in a fearful situation. Panic attacks can happen unexpectedly, without a clear trigger.

🙅‍♀️ Myth 3: Panic attacks are harmless and don’t require treatment

It’s easy to dismiss panic attacks as temporary episodes of discomfort, assuming they’re harmless and don’t necessitate treatment. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Untreated panic attacks can have severe physical and psychological impacts.

Physically, panic attacks can mimic serious health issues like heart attacks, leading to emergency room visits and unnecessary medical procedures. Psychologically, recurring panic attacks can lead to anticipatory anxiety, fear of future attacks, and avoidance behaviors [5].

Panic attacks can be managed with professional help. A combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication is often effective[ 6]. Ignoring panic attacks won’t make them go away, seeking professional help is essential.

🙅‍♀️ Myth 4: Panic attacks are rare and only happen to a select few

Despite the prevalence of panic attacks, many people believe they’re a rare phenomenon that only happens to certain individuals. The reality is different: panic attacks can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or lifestyle.

As mentioned earlier, about one in every 75 people might experience a panic attack at some point in their lives [7]. It’s not a niche issue; it’s a widespread mental health concern with significant individual and societal implications.

🙅‍♀️ Myth 5: Panic attacks can be cured with a simple solution or quick fix

Panic attacks, like most mental health issues, are complex and multifaceted. They don’t lend themselves to simple solutions or quick fixes.

Treatment for panic attacks needs to be comprehensive, multifaceted, and personalized. It usually involves a blend of therapies (like CBT and exposure therapy), medications, lifestyle changes, and possibly more holistic approaches like mindfulness-based stress reduction [8].

Each person’s journey towards managing panic attacks is unique.

Panic attacks are far from rare or harmless and can affect anyone, regardless of their willpower or the presence of a clear trigger. They are complex, involving various biological and psychological aspects that require personalized, comprehensive treatment.

No quick fix or simple solution exists, and they most certainly aren’t a sign of weakness.

If you or someone you know experiences panic attacks, seeking professional help is crucial to address the root cause. To help address panic attacks in the moment they happen, you can try Mind Ease, an app designed specifically to help those who experience panic attacks.

Footnotes

1. American Psychological Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 ↩
2. Bandelow, B., & Michaelis, S. (2015). Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 17(3), 327–335. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4610617/ ↩
3. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Panic Attack. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm01 ↩
4. Smoller, J. W. (2016). The Genetics of Stress-Related Disorders: PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety Disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology, 41(1), 297–319. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2015.266
5. Norton, P. J., & Price, E. C. (2007). A meta-analytic review of adult cognitive-behavioral treatment outcome across the anxiety disorders. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 195(6), 521–531. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nmd.0000253843.70149.9a
6. Bandelow, B., & Michaelis, S. (2015). Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 17(3), 327–335. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4610617/
7. American Psychological Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596