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(p. 55) Panic Attacks Are Not Harmful 

(p. 55) Panic Attacks Are Not Harmful
Chapter:
(p. 55) Panic Attacks Are Not Harmful
Author(s):

David H. Barlow

, and Michelle G. Craske

DOI:
10.1093/med-psych/9780197584095.003.0004
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date: 20 May 2022

This chapter examines the importance of learning about the causes of the physical symptoms of panic. The physical changes that underlie the physical symptoms of panic and anxiety are protective in that they are designed to help us escape from or fight off danger. The symptoms are real, but they are not harmful. Interestingly, physical symptoms are sometimes felt in the absence of actual physical changes. This occurs because an intense and anxious focus on physical feelings can create the perception of a physical disturbance even when none really exists. However, intense panic attacks are almost always based on real physical changes. The chapter then assesses how physical symptoms influence what we think and do. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated into an emergency flight or fight response, there are certain natural effects on our behaviors and our thoughts. The chapter also looks at typical mistaken beliefs about panic symptoms.

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