Don’t panic
Spot the signs of anxiety and panic attacks.
By Dr. Adrian Hill
Paul is on his regular flight for his monthly meeting with his major insurance client. He has a successful practice, a wonderful family and he loves sports. But he’s been tired lately, and this growing sense of tiredness has approached exhaustion in recent months.
Now, sitting in his window seat on the plane, Paul feels a shortness of breath, experiences nausea, and is suddenly wet with perspiration. The pain in his chest shocks him; he thinks he’s having a heart attack. He can’t catch his breath to speak, but the passenger in the next seat calls to the flight attendant to ask if a physician is on board.
As luck would have it, a family doctor comes and sits next to Paul, talking calmly and reassuringly to him as she takes his pulse and listens to his heart. As the symptoms abate and then disappear, the doctor informs Paul that he has just had a panic attack. She tells him to see his physician for a full physical as soon as possible. Four weeks later, Paul calls his Lawyer Assistance Program for information and advice.
Panic and anxiety at some levels seem to be a part of life for most lawyers and judges. Women are likely to experience the first symptoms in their 20s, while men usually have an onset between the ages of 35 and 45.
When panic attacks are part of an anxiety disorder, brief episodes of intense fear are accompanied by multiple physical symptoms, such as:
- racing or pounding heartbeat
- chest pains
- terror or overwhelming fear
- a sense of powerlessness to prevent something horrible
- dizziness, lightheadedness and nausea
- hot flushes or chills
- sense of unreality
- fear of dying
- fear of going crazy
- fear of doing something embarrassing or losing control
- difficulty breathing
- trouble breathing or catching your breath
Panic attacks feed upon themselves as the person develops an intense apprehension of having another attack. This "fear of fear" can be present most of the time and can seriously interfere with personal and professional life, even when a panic attack is not in progress. The hallmarks of an anxiety disorder following panic attacks include terror, a sense of unreality and a fear of losing control.
Treatment brings significant relief to most people with panic disorder: both psychotherapy and prescription medication can be effective. LPAC recommends a combination of peer support together with cognitive behavioural therapy with a psychologist, which can modify or eliminate thought patterns contributing to symptoms. A full physical examination by a family doctor should be followed by a review of available medications.
How can you help someone who’s having a panic attack? Have them breathe into a paper bag; it increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood and has a natural calming effect. This technique also counters the tendency of many victims to hyperventilate, which only makes the symptoms worse. Make reassuring statements such as: You are fine… this is just a panic attack… it will pass in a few minutes… you are looking better.
If Paul’s story or the list of symptoms above are familiar, you are not alone, especially in the legal profession. To learn more, look up LPAC’s Guide to Mental Health and Illness at www.lpac.ca.
Dr. Adrian Hill is Executive Director of LPAC and Clinical Supervisor of the Ontario Bar Assistance Program who also practised law solo and in a small law firm for more than 30 years. He can be reached at 416.520.9016 or adrian@LPAC.ca.
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english
Pas de panique!
Identifiez les signes d’anxiété et d’attaque de panique
Alors qu’il se dirige chez son principal client, Paul a le souffle court, la nausée et transpire abondamment. Il ressent une douleur dans sa poitrine et se croit être la prochaine victime d’un arrêt cardiaque. Il appelle à l’aide.
Soudain, les symptômes disparaissent. Paul apprend avec stupeur qu’il a été victime d’une attaque de panique. Pourtant, il s’agit d’un homme pour qui la vie est belle, tant au niveau professionnel que familial.
La plupart des avocats et des juges ont déjà souffert de panique ou d’anxiété. Les attaques de panique se manifestent par de brefs épisodes de peur intense accompagnés de symptômes physiques tels que battements de cœur à tout rompre, étourdissements, nausées, bouffées de chaleur ou frissons, peur de perdre le contrôle ou de devenir fou, difficultés à respirer ou à reprendre son souffle.
Les attaques de panique se nourissent de la peur qu’a la personne de les revivre. Heureusement, il est possible de traiter ces difficultés en combinant les effets bénéfiques de la psychothérapie et de médicaments appropriés.
Si l’histoire de Paul ressemble à la vôtre, n’hésitez pas à consulter un professionnel et à faire appel au programme LPAC offert par l’ABC. Dites-vous que plusieurs de vos collègues ont déjà souffert de la même situation. |
