Meet Alison: I first had a panic attack in a lecture at university. I had gone as an older student to study nursing and didn’t really know many people as I didn’t live in. I really thought I was going to die when I first had a panic attack. It was horrible. My heart was beating out my chest and I could not catch my breath. I ran outside and everything seemed to slow down around me. People were staring and someone called an ambulance. After that, the attacks became more regular. I started to avoid any busy, crowded place in case it happened again. I stopped socialising. I couldn’t go on the bus or train. I didn’t like driving on busy roads. Everything became hard, even getting past my front door. I woke up having one sometimes, which was terrifying. I had read about CBT online and wanted to try it to get my life back. I wanted to be able to finish my course and be able to travel to placements. I referred myself for an assessment. It was probably the hardest thing I have done, but so worth it.
Physical symptoms Heart racing Shaking Sweating Rapid breathing Dry mouth
7
Behaviours
Altered thoughts
Avoiding busy, crowded places Missing lectures Only going out at quiet times Ordering everything online Avoiding the cinema Only driving locally outside of rush hour
“What if I am having a heart attack?” “I am going to pass out” “If I go out without water I will have an attack” “I must keep myself safe”
© Marie Chellingsworth (2020). The CBT Resource.
