A common misconception that so many people are under is that panic attacks are the result of someone just "being dramatic". The fact of the matter is that there is a large stigma against getting treatment for mental health issues in America. This is an issue, because suicide is the nation's 10th leading cause of death many people wave off these serious issues by claiming that someone is being dramatic. Overlooking "small" things like panic or anxiety attacks could be the difference between life or death for some people.
Panic and anxiety disorders are commonly caused by the human brain. There is an imbalance in one's neurotransmitters that cause the sympathetic nervous system to sense danger that isn't there. In other words, your body goes into fight or flight mode against better judgement because, despite how your body is reacting, there is absolutely nothing to be scared of. These disorders can be traced through genetic factors, meaning that it's hereditary. In addition to how your body reacts, anxiety and panic disorders can also affect someone's daily life.
These attacks come on suddenly and forcefully, often making the victim feel like they have been hit by truck. Whether someone is sitting at home in bed watching a movie, riding the bus into the city with earbuds in, or standing in a packed-in crowd, there is a sudden rushing feeling. Your breathing can become uneven, you could zone out, your body starts to shake, your heart rate picks up, and some people even begin sobbing because of how overwhelmed they are (Disclaimer: panic and anxiety attacks are different for everyone. That description was based on personal experience.). This experience can be prompted when put into a similar situation that first triggered it, causing an enforced fear of attending that event, going to that one specific place, or even leaving the house at all. People can become so paralyzed and controlled by their anxiety that they do not want to get out of bed; in fear that they might have a panic attack.
Each person handles a panic or anxiety attack differently. Some people like to be left alone, while others need to be held and comforted. Handling stress is a unique process that everyone customizes to fit themselves. Humans are individuals, we all think, act, and learn differently, etc. and that should never be forgotten; regardless of the situation. That being said, there is also a large difference between being an introvert and being anxious.
Something that needs to be corrected is the popularized idea that all introverts have anxiety or panic disorders. Wanting to be by yourself is not the same thing as being anxious around people. Although, both groups share similar characteristics, anxious people are not always introverts, and introverts are not always anxious.
People with these disorders are not broken or damaged in any way, they're just different. No matter the circumstance, everyone deserves to be treated like a human being, not like a foreign concept. Take time to get to know the person behind the disorder; they still have feelings and thoughts like everyone else. If you feel like someone you love or care about needs help managing their anxiety or panic attacks, talk to their parents or guardians and express your concern, because no one ever deserves to feel alone.
