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Also known as anxiety attacks, panic attacks can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or whether they have a history of anxiety.
Speaking on This Morning, Dr Williams described panic attacks as “anxiety on overdrive, when you can’t find the reason”.
They affect more women than men and can last between five and 20 minutes, she said. People experiencing one can “ground yourself” by focusing on the moment and the safety of their surroundings, and by steadying their breathing, she added.
“A heart attack and a panic attack are different, but they can feel the same because there are similar symptoms – choking or tingling or pain in the chest.
“If it’s a heart attack it tends to radiate, so if might go down your arm or into your jaw. A heart attack doesn’t subside with breathing or grounding in the same way.”
According to the MIND mental health charity, panic attacks are an extreme anxiety response. They can develop quickly, and come with very intense symptoms.
These are both physical and mental and the NHS’s extensive list of symptoms, external includes:
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Anxiety
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Racing heartbeat
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Feeling faint
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Sweating
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Nausea
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Chest pain
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Shortness of breath
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Trembling
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