Some sufferers of panic attacks keep symptoms hidden for years. Now they have a chance to share their experiences. Sylvia Thompson reports.
An intense fear or apprehension, palpitations, trembling, breathing difficulties, dizziness and/or sweating. Although most sufferers of panic attacks share many of the above classic symptoms, they almost always feel isolated and alone when they suffer from an attack and some even keep their symptoms hidden for years before they seek treatment.
Now, a new support group aims to offer sufferers of panic attacks an opportunity to share their experiences with other sufferers.
"I have been working with sufferers of panic attacks for a long time. And while I can give them skills to tackle sensations and learn to control their feelings, I realised it would be useful for sufferers to meet each other," says psychotherapist and medical doctor, Dr Aine Tubridy, who has set up the first Irish support group for sufferers of panic attacks.
Dr Tubridy believes the stigma around panic breeds secrecy and shame and most sufferers will never have met another sufferer.
"If someone has an asthmatic attack, they have no problem talking about it but those who suffer from panic attacks believe someone might think badly of them and judge them for it which can make their symptoms worse."
In her book, When Panic Attacks (Newleaf, 16.99), Dr Tubridy defines panic as a sensation of feeling you are in extreme danger when no real danger exists.
"Physiologically, panic is a sudden surge of the adrenaline hormone into the bloodstream.
"Psychologically, panic is a disorder of perception, and internal sensations of the fight or flight response are being misread as life-threatening and dangerous," she writes. "I suffered terribly with fear, panic attacks, agoraphobia and claustrophobia so much so that I became an alcoholic trying to keep them at bay.
"Eventually, I realised I was suffering from extreme anxiety and panic and now [following treatment], I'm in excellent mental health and I've never been happier," says Oliver Morris (64), who believes the support group will reassure sufferers that there is a way out and coping skills and techniques you can learn.
For panic attacks to be treated adequately, Dr Tubridy believes that either psychologists need to learn more about the medical aspects or doctors need to learn more about the psychological side.
She also believes that depression will only accompany panic if the panic attacks haven't been inadequately treated. "Some anti-depressants can increase the levels of adrenaline which will make the problem worse," she says.
"Panic attacks are really about your identity being threatened in some way, whether it's your marriage, your job, a rape or assault, an accident or having undergone surgery."
The aim of the support group, which Dr Tubridy will facilitate, is to provide a forum for discussion on different aspects of panic attack, share experiences, hear success stories and have a laugh.
Sufferers and a family member or friend can attend and feel free to contribute or stay silent if they wish. Anonymity will be respected.
Once this support group is up and running, Dr Tubridy says she would like to set up another group for teenage sufferers. "There are a number of young people who are suffering from panic attacks from smoking joints or taking ecstasy tablets who have no one to talk to," she says.
Meanwhile, young people are of course welcome to attend meetings of the current group.
The panic attack support group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7.30 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, 2 Eden Park, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Donation €5. Tel: 01 2800084.