“Panic and Anxiety”

(This is inspired by a recent meeting with a friend)

We all talk and hear about Anxiety, Panic and Fear. We have heard of so many kinds of phobias. All these words mean almost the same but just signify varying degrees of intensity. Fear is natural to all living beings and is a protective mechanism. Without fear, we may tend to destroy us. Imagine someone without any fear of any kind. Not even self-destruction, physical or mental pain and not even death. This kind of being will not be able to protect himself. So, in a way, fear is our friend. A very close friend indeed.

But, sometimes too much of closeness also brings some unwanted side effects. When fear starts sticking too much, it becomes a problem.  It starts disturbing normal functioning and starts to interfere in the events and situations where it is not required. That is when this friend becomes unwanted, irritating and almost an enemy. The more we try to get rid of it, the more it follows us. That is when we enter into a vicious cycle of always thinking about it. Fear gets turned into an Anxiety which is nothing else but a constant anticipation of fear.

Certain circumstances, events or situation trick us to believe that the ultimate fear is just here and just now. The mind and body start reacting in such a way that they want us to escape from the situation. The body reacts with many kinds of sensations and reactions that signify intense feeling of fear. That is “PANIC.”

Some call it “Fight or Flight” response.  Whatever it is, it surely makes us feel terribly weak, helpless, hopeless, out of control and humiliated as if facing the end of everything, including our own life.

Avoidance from these situations becomes a phobia. No one would like to experience a panic again. So, one starts avoiding any situation that may lead to a Panic. One may be able to avoid Panic but surely the Anxiety sticks very closely.  Anxiety,  because you are always thinking of the next Panic episode and how to avoid it.

We go through these cycles without normally realizing about it till the physical symptoms become uncontrollable. Once it penetrates into the core it results in physical symptoms of acute fear like trembling, weakness of limbs, pounding heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, difficulty in speaking or concentrating, sweating, confusion and losing control. That is when it is termed as a panic episode.

It is contagious in the sense that once we have it, we avoid many things and the more we avoid the more the anxiety and reasons for panic grow.

It surely is as dangerous as any other life damaging event or disease. It sucks life out of the person and restricts him or her to only thinking about it every time. The person starts avoiding many things, places, events and situations and in many cases even stepping out of the confines of his or her home.

Biggest problem is that one does not realize what is happening to him. Pathologically he may be absolutely fine. Also, it is not easy to tell and share with the rest of the world your baseless fears and how they are making you weaker, nervous, and out of control.  

How many people suffer from this? With varying degrees, may be many. Have you seen, known or experienced this? If Yes,,share your experiences and knowledge. Help yourself and help others.