Understanding Panic Attacks and Why They Happen

Chris Zhang
2 days ago
2 min read

Panic attacks can feel sudden, intense, and scary. They often come on quickly and bring strong physical sensations—like a racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, or dizziness—that feel very similar to intense fear. Because these sensations are so powerful, many people worry that something serious is wrong.

Even though panic attacks feel overwhelming, they are actually the body reacting as if there is danger—when there isn’t.

Panic Attacks vs. Panic Disorder

Many people experience a panic attack at some point in their lives. Panic disorder is different. It’s used to describe situations where panic attacks happen unexpectedly and are followed by ongoing worry about having more attacks.

This fear can lead people to change their behaviour—avoiding places, activities, or situations where panic has happened before. Over time, this can make life feel smaller and more restricted.

What’s Going On in Your Body

Panic attacks are driven by the fight-or-flight response, a normal system designed to protect us from danger. When this system switches on, the body prepares to escape or defend itself—even if there’s no real threat.

This response usually includes:

Physical changes, like a faster heart rate, quicker breathing, muscle tension, sweating, and increased energy.
Anxious thoughts, such as scanning for danger or worrying about how you might appear to others.
Behaviour changes, like avoiding situations or trying to control symptoms to prevent panic.

Sometimes, this alarm system becomes overactive and goes off when it doesn’t need to.

Panic Can Happen in Different Ways

Some people experience panic attacks during sleep and wake up feeling frightened and confused. This can happen when normal body sensations during deep sleep are mistaken for danger.

Panic attacks can also occur alongside other anxiety concerns. For example, someone with social anxiety or specific fears may experience panic in certain situations without having panic disorder.

Learning a New Way to Respond

Panic attacks feel uncomfortable, but they are not dangerous. Understanding what’s happening in your body can reduce fear and make panic feel less overwhelming over time.

Rather than trying to eliminate panic completely, learning to respond with curiosity and confidence can help break the cycle and reduce its impact.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy can help you understand panic attacks, make sense of your symptoms, and gently reduce fear and avoidance. Cognitive behavioural approaches focus on building confidence in your ability to cope, even when anxiety shows up.

For people looking for anxiety support in Markham, therapy offers practical tools to manage panic and feel more in control of daily life.