Studies have reported that in the given conditions of COVID pandemic, women are more likely to experience heightened stress, anxiety and panic attacks. They are working for longer hours more than ever before, multitasking with the household chores, looking after the kids and their studies, looking after the family’s needs and working as a professional as well-all of it at the same time and these worries and extreme stress levels are the reason for triggering panic attacks in many. 

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions in the person having it without any real danger or apparent cause.

It is more common a phenomenon than we would like to believe therefore it is essential for any women to identify a panic attack and reach out for help.

As per experts some common symptoms of a panic attack are a sense of danger with a rapid or pounding heart rate, a fear of loss of control or fear of death that might lead to trembling or shaking, shortness of breath or tightness in your throat, or random hot flashes or chills or sweating, or/and feelings of hyperventilation or breathlessness.

While complete prevention of panic attacks will require intervention of a trained psychologist, on our end it is suggested

1) reducing the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and other stimulants since they keep  the sugar and energy levels high, not letting the mind and body relax.

2) maintaining a journal where you write down all your fears and concerns will give you a perspective into your mind, help you deal with them and move on to other tasks.

3) talking about them helps too as it helps in figuring the trigger points for instance any situation, thoughts or feelings that cause your attacks.

Too frequent episodes of panic attacks which start to interfere in your day to day functioning will require expert intervention.