When Panic Takes Over

Panic doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s silent — a racing heart, shaking hands, shallow breath, or the feeling that something terrible will happen. It makes you feel out of control, and that frightens you even more.

Panic attacks aren’t signs of weakness. They’re signs that your emotional system is overwhelmed. Your brain is misinterpreting stress as danger and hitting the alarm button too fast.

The first step isn’t to fight the panic — it’s to recognise: “My body is reacting. I am not in danger.” This helps calm the fear response.

Grounding techniques, slow breathing, warm touch, or sitting still can help signal safety to your nervous system.

You are not going crazy. You are overloaded, not broken.