Advice after your nerve block for surgery
On this page…
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is normally a sudden and short episode of intense feelings of fear, anxiety and thoughts that something terrible is going to happen. They are often associated with several physical symptoms like sweating, shortness of breath and dizziness. Panic attacks can feel like they are a symptom of a serious illness, but they are not.
Common physical symptoms of a panic attack include
- Fast heart rate, breathlessness
- Chest pains, headache
- Dizziness, feeling ‘unreal’
- Sickness/nausea
- Numbness, especially fingers
- Shaking, sweating/feeling hot
- Faint and urgency to use the toilet
Common thoughts include
- It’s happening again, I can’t cope
- I’ll collapse, I can’t breathe
- I’m going mad, I’m out of control
- I need to escape, I’ll be humiliated
- I’ll wet/soil myself, I’ll choke
- I’ll be sick, I’m going to die
Common emotions include
- Foreboding fear, dread
- Claustrophobia, Intense anxiety
- Shame, unreality
Why do they happen?
Panic is a symptom of fear. Fear is a normal human reaction to situations, people, objects, or environments which we see as threatening or dangerous in some way. Your body responds rapidly to prepare you for action by releasing adrenaline. This is sometimes called the ‘fight or flight’ response. Adrenaline acts extremely quickly and causes changes in your body including all the physical symptoms listed in this leaflet
Although they feel horrible, these symptoms are preparing your body to respond to a threat and are not dangerous in themselves. For example, faster breathing brings in more oxygen needed to fight or run. Adrenaline redirects blood to arms and legs and away from the stomach, bowel, bladder, hands and feet: this can cause the symptoms of nausea, numbness and a desire to go to the toilet.
These reactions are all normal and useful if there is a real danger. There is no difference between a healthy fear response and a panic attack except that a panic attack is a normal fear response triggered at the wrong time!
What can trigger a panic attack?
Most triggers of panic attacks are not physical danger but psychological threats. At these times your body’s fear response is not useful or appropriate but adrenaline is released automatically when a threat is perceived. In other words, your body’s responds to an actual threat (like a car coming towards you) in the same way as you would do to imagine or future threats (like, ‘I will be sick in front of everyone if I do this presentation’)
Psychological threats come from within ourselves and often come about because of the
way we think about things. You might find yourself
- Always imagining the worst-case scenario
- Expecting something will go wrong
- Dismissing times when you manage to cope
- Focusing on signs of a panic attack or evidence that you cannot cope
- Mind reading by imagining what others are thinking about you
Panic and stress
Panic attacks are more common during times of stress or following a sudden traumatic event (this can present a lot further down the line)
Common stresses in life include illness, work demands, bereavement, housing problems, family problems, relationship breakdowns, financial demands, exams, new situations in life Physical stress can also contribute to panic attacks becoming more frequent or intense; tiredness, hunger (low blood sugar), using drugs or alcohol, being hungover, consuming caffeine, thyroid levels, asthma, diabetic and pregnancy conditions.
How can I help myself?
- Take time to think about what is going on and the reasons for your panic attack. Use ‘self-talk’ to explain the reasons to yourself and use positives statements; ‘I have coped with an interview before’ and ‘I can do this even if it feels horrible’ to act as a reality-check to negative thinking
- Cut down on caffeine which can raise your heart rate making you feel less calm; caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola and energy drinks
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day; aim for 6-8 glasses per day
- Cut down on smoking, especially in stressful situations. Although it is a distraction, it cuts down the oxygen in your body prompting your heart to speed up rather than slow it down
- Low blood sugar can make a panic attack more likely. Eat regularly and avoid foods which are high in sugar and can cause a sugar ‘high and low’: for example, chocolate and sweets. Nuts and seeds (unless allergic) are a good source of slow release energy
- Take time to relax in your everyday life; listen to music, go for a walk or read
- Exercise regularly to help release tension and aid restful sleep
- Learn breathing exercises (see end of information sheet)
- Distract from the panic; sing a song or imagine yourself in a calm and relaxed place. Be aware and allow yourself Mindfulness; watch nature or read a book or magazine regarding nature
- Make a list and prioritise what are the most important jobs to do first.
Further Help
For coping strategies, the following are some of the places you might find useful. If you find that you are unable to cope with your panic attacks by yourself and/or that you are changing your life to avoid them (e.g. by not going out to work, see your family or friends) then you may want additional support.
https://
https://
https://www.nhs.uk>apps-library Beat Panic app - NHS
For non-urgent medical advice, please call 111 or visit https:/
Contact you GP who may consider referring you to a dedicated counselling service.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Emergency department (ED) service.
About this information
Service:
Emergency department (ED)
Reference:
A/026
Approval date:
1 November 2024
Review date:
1 November 2027
Click ‘show accessibility tools’ at the bottom of the page
Then click ‘select language’
Alternative formats
You can use the accessibility toolbar at the bottom of your screen to:
-
Change the text size
-
Adjust the font
-
Modify the colour contrast
-
Use the translate function
If you would like this information in another format, such as Braille, audio, or easy read, please speak to a member of staff.
You can also print as well as download as PDF using the “Print this page” button at the end of the page.
Staff will print a copy for you on request
Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.