How common is panic?
About one in three people in Scotland has at least one panic each year. So they are common. It may be that some of us are more prone to panic due to our basic nature. But those whose lives are most affected by panic often have:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Phobias
- Sleep problems
- Alcohol / drug problems
These may go hand in hand. If you get tense at the thought of meeting others, you might drink too much as a way to cope. This may make you more stressed and more prone to panic. This may lead to depression and poor sleep… and so on, as a vicious circle builds up.
Panics can be over in a few minutes or they can last a long time. You will feel washed out after one and will then fear having the next one. Learning to stop panics will give you a greater sense of control and will help you control other problems.
