Neurodiverse people often experience panic attacks. These may be brought on by a sensory processing or an emotional issue. A panic attack is a physiological experience that often cannot be stopped once it has begun.
What does a panic attack feel like
A person may have any combination of these symptoms:
- Rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing: when your body is preparing itself for danger it makes sure enough blood and oxygen is being circulated to your major muscles which allows you to run away faster or fight off danger
- Sweating: sweating cools the body and makes the skin more slippery and difficult for an attacking animal to grab you
- Nausea and diarrhea: when faced with danger the body shuts down any parts that they don’t need for survival so all the energy can go to the heart, lungs and muscles. The stomach isn’t essential so it gets turned off even if it’s halfway through digesting a meal
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded: since all your blood and oxygen is going to your muscles you breathe faster to keep up and that can cause hyperventilation which leads to dizziness
- Tight or painful chest: your muscles tense up in preparation for danger which makes it painful to take in large breaths
- Numbness and tingling: hyperventilation can also cause numbness along with the fact that blood is bypassing the fingers and toes since they are not essential for fighting
- Vision changes: when responding to danger our pupils dilated to let in more light so we can see clearly but it also makes things look brighter and fuzzier than normal
- Choking sensation: increased muscle tension around the neck along with rapid breathing dries out the throat to make it feel like you are choking
- Hot and cold flashes: these are due to sweating and the fact that blood is flowing away from your skin and towards your muscles
Panic Attack Plan
During an attack the person is unable to come up with a plan but likely could follow a plan, perhaps with prompting. It’s important to discuss a plan ahead of time. This can reduce panic induced behavior like self-harming, damaging statements and the need for medical intervention.
- Tell myself:
- I am having a panic attack
- It is uncomfortable but will not hurt me
- I have survived them before
- It will not last forever
- Try three coping skills: (i.e. take a walk, drink some water, take a shower, use a fidget)
- Seek social support: (i.e. ask mom for a hug, call a friend, call a crisis line)