Panic attacks and panic disorder

Articles on panic attacks and panic disorder: what an attack feels like, how to tell panic from a heart problem, night-time attacks and what helps. They're for anyone who has had an attack, or lives in fear of the next one.

In Nigeria, panic is often read first as a medical emergency or a spiritual attack. People describe "heat in my body" or "my heart is cutting", go to hospital, get clear results and are sent home told nothing is wrong. Some go through this several times before anyone mentions panic, and others are taken for prayers rather than assessment. Avoidance hides it too: you stop going to functions, and people assume you just don't go out much.

Chest pain always needs a doctor first, so if you have it now, call 112, or 767 in Lagos. Start with how to tell a panic attack from a heart attack, then when panic keeps returning and how to handle a panic attack.

Panic disorder is usually treated with talking therapy, especially CBT. You can find licensed therapists who work with anxiety and panic on Mytherapist.ng and meet them by video, voice or chat.