Emotions and Panic Attacks
Lissa Coffey
Here’s a new word for you: alexithymia, the inability to identify, understand and express emotions. A recent study from the University of Naples in Italy found that those who have alexithymia may be more susceptible
to panic attacks. There is a connection between emotional processing and panic attacks. We need to learn to deal with our emotional issues, and express our emotions appropriately, or it is likely that the problems will present themselves in some way in our body – and a panic attack is just one example of this. A panic attack is a sudden episode of terror, often accompanied by rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, weakness, faintness and sweating. After having a few attacks, we can begin to fear the episodes themselves. This can leave us cutting back on activities and even becoming housebound. Based on this study, we now know that one key to preventing panic attacks is to identify and work through emotional issues that are being stuffed inside.