Panic attacks can feel scary. You might feel your heart racing, your hands shaking, or that you cannot breathe. Many people fear panic attacks because they are unsure of what is real and what isn’t. We will look at six common myths and the facts behind panic attacks. We will also share how Life Psychiatry and Sitora Mirsoatova can help you or someone you love.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a rapid, intense wave of worry or fear. It often peaks within 10 minutes. You might feel dizzy, sweat a lot, or have chest pain. A panic attack is not the same as a heart attack, though the feelings can be similar.
Myth 1: Panic Attacks Mean You’re Weak
The fact: Panic attacks don’t mean you’re weak. They happen when your brain’s alarm system goes off too easily. Even strong, courageous people can experience a panic attack. It is just your body’s fight-or-flight response turned on by mistake.
Myth 2: Panic Attacks Are Life-Threatening
The fact: Panic attacks feel like you might die, but they are not dangerous. Your body only releases stress chemicals. No one has ever died from a panic attack alone. The best thing to remember is that it will pass within 10 to 20 minutes.
Myth 3: You Can’t Treat Panic Attacks
The fact: Panic attacks can be treated. Doctors and nurse practitioners use talk therapy, breathing exercises, and sometimes medicine to help. Over time, most people learn to stop panic attacks or make them much milder.
Myth 4: Panic Attacks Always Last a Long Time
The fact: Most panic attacks are brief. They typically subside in under half an hour. Although they seem lengthy while you’re experiencing them, they pass quickly. Learning to slow your breathing and relax can help them end even sooner.
Myth 5: Only Adults Get Panic Attacks
The fact: People of any age can have panic attacks. Children and older adults can get them, too. It can be scary when a child has a panic attack because they might not know what is happening. Talking to a caring professional like Sitora Mirsoatova can help everyone understand and cope.
Myth 6: Panic Attacks Mean You Have a Serious Mental Illness
The fact: Panic attacks are an anxiety symptom. They do not always mean another mental illness is there. Some individuals are affected by panic disorder. Some people have panic attacks due to mental health problems, like PTSD or depression. A good provider checks everything and makes a plan that fits you.
How to Handle a Panic Attack
- Notice Your Breath. Slow down. Breathe for four seconds, hold for two, and breathe out for four.
- Name Five Things Around You. Look around and say out loud: “I see a tree. I see a cup.” This helps your mind come back to now.
- Remind Yourself It Will Pass. Say to yourself, “This is a panic attack. It is not dangerous. It will end soon.”
- Practice Often. Try these steps every day, even when you feel fine. That way, your body learns to calm itself fast.
How Life Psychiatry Can Help
Life Psychiatry offers caring, expert support for anxiety and panic.
- Personal Care. Sitora Mirsoatova is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She works in New York and New Jersey.
- Evidence-Based Treatments. You get care rooted in proven methods like talk therapy and, if needed, safe medicines.
- All Ages Welcome. Children, adults, and older people find help here.
- Wide Range of Conditions. Life Psychiatry treats anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, eating disorders, and more. They understand how panic attacks fit into your whole health story.
Whether this is your first panic attack or you have had many, the team at Life Psychiatry will listen and help.
About Sitora Mirsoatova
Sitora Mirsoatova is more than a provider, she’s someone who truly cares. She:
- Listens without judgment.
- Uses gentle, clear language.
- Teaches you skills to feel safe in your body.
- It works with you through each step, from the first visit to feeling better.
Her goal is to build your strength and hope one day at a time.
When to Seek Help
It is time to get professional help if:
- Panic attacks start happening often.
- You begin to avoid places because you fear an attack.
- You feel unsafe with your thoughts or actions.
- You cannot do your daily tasks.
Reaching out early makes treatment easier and faster. Life Psychiatry is ready when you are.
Wrapping Up
Even though panic attacks can be terrifying, you don’t have to let them rule your life. By learning the truth behind each myth, you gain power over fear. Remember, support is close at hand, expert care at Life Psychiatry and a caring guide in Sitora Mirsoatova. Here, we shared myths about panic attacks you should know so you can get the facts and feel hopeful. You deserve to feel calm, strong, and safe, and help is here whenever you need it.
Get in touch with Sitora Mirsoatova at Life Psychiatry today. Schedule your consultation and take the first step toward regaining control. Peace of mind is just a call away!
FAQs
Can panic attacks harm me?
No one has ever died from a panic attack alone. It feels frightening, but it only lasts around 10–20 minutes and then fades.
Will I have panic attacks forever?
No, you can learn to manage and often stop them. Talk therapy, breathing exercises, and sometimes medication make a big difference.