Article

The 3 Biggest Myths About Panic Attacks – And How They’re Preventing You From Finding A Cure

Written by Cynthia Goranson

Topic: AnxietyPublished March 24, 2010
Rating pending908 viewsSign in to rate
It’s hard to describe a panic attack to someone who hasn’t lived through one, isn’t it? I mean, you can describe the physical symptoms – the pounding heart, the sweating, the shaking and inability to catch your breath. But you can’t really express the terror, the utter feeling of helplessness and the crippling effect they have on your life. Unless someone’s been through it, they just can’t understand. As hard as it is to describe, it’s even harder to sort through the myths that surround panic attacks. If you even try to broach this topic with others, you are suddenly bombarded with opinions and ‘facts’, most of which are simply not true. Having been through the process, and come out on the other side, i want to share with you what I’ve learned on my journey. Myth #1: You’re just not trying hard enough to get rid of them. This is a classic. Point out that you have panic attacks and suddenly it’s your fault. You must not be really trying to get rid of them, you’re using them as an excuse, or they’re not really as big a problem as you’re making them out to be. Sometimes it can be extremely hard to find support for this disorder from friends and families. While the majority of comments are not meant to be harmful, they’re completely incorrect and can erode your self-esteem. The fact is that those who suffer from panic attacks would do just about anything to get rid of them, and to imply any less is simply insulting. Unfortunately, many sufferers will get depressed and start to feel really bad about their perceived lack of control and inability to stop future attacks. They buy into this myth and start to believe that they are the cause for the attacks, and that if they just put forth enough effort, they should be able to stop them from occurring. It’s simply not true. Myth #2 Panic attacks are due to xxxxxx (put in any number of reasons here – chronic illness, heredity, medications). The reality is that no one knows for sure why people experience panic attacks. There are known triggers, like stress, certain medications, substantial personal loss, and major life transitions. But there is no scientific data that shows an underlying reason for the disorder. There is also a correlation between having a family member with panic attacks and experiencing them yourself. However, no one can say conclusively whether genetics plays a part, as there are many conflicting reports out there. Promising new studies have started to shed more light on ways to handle and even cure them, but the origin of panic attacks remains a mystery. Myth #3 Medicine is the only solution to cure panic attacks. This is probably the most prevailing myth surrounding panic attacks. The truth is, there is a mountain of data that shows that cognitive behavioral therapy and managing your thoughts, is just as effective, if not more so in treating this disorder. In recent years, scientists have uncovered a strong correlation between those who communicate passively and have negative self-talk, and those who are suffering from panic attacks. Programs have been developed which focus on training the mind to receive and process information differently, and to communicate with yourself and others in a more assertive and positive manner. This new treatment has been showing proven results, without so many of the damaging side effects that medicines produce. I wish I’d discovered the truth about panic attacks a long time ago. Because, the most important thing I learned, is that it’s only when you remove away all the myths and see panic attacks for what they are, that you can find a way to end them for good. In life we tend to try to overcomplicate things and feel we need to work hard to achieve success. The reality is, we can be much more effective and see amazing results when we simply learn to relax. Gain total control of your life. Discover how you can easily eliminate chronic anxiety, panic attacks, negative thoughts and beliefs from your life.

Article author

About the Author

I have spent my life helping people. For the last 15 years I have been working with the hearing impaired.

In addition to that I have been developing our companies website to help educate people about hearing problems and solutions.

Further reading

Further Reading

3 total

Article

Apex Performance Life has announced the launch of LucidFlow, an innovative brain health supplement specifically engineered for knowledge workers, executives, entrepreneurs, and academics who demand peak mental performance. The formula represents a breakthrough in neurocognitive enhancement, offering professionals a natural alternative to traditional stimulants while delivering superior cognitive benefits. More information can be found at https://apexperformance.life . Address

October 31, 2025

Article

CBD is a chemical compound that can be extracted from the Cannabis plant. It's non-psychoactive, so it won't have any of the hallucinogenic effects that THC has. The cannabinoid is believed to have many medical benefits including pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties. It's also been shown to help with anxiety and depression. CBD oil is something that a lot of people aren't familiar with. In particular, What is CBD Oil? Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects Articles on how i

November 27, 2023

Article

There is more to eating disorders than food — it’s about body image and triggers that are often associated with trauma, loneliness, low self-esteem, and interpersonal issues. While some people may question whether eating disorders cause loneliness or loneliness causes the eating disorder — the answer is it’s both. There is a tie between low self-esteem and loneliness, which both feed feelings of emptiness inside. While some may eat in an attempt to feel less empty or to eat

October 19, 2023