Dear Anne
I'm 16 and have been suffering from panic attacks for about a year and a half now. They're still as scary as when I first had one. I'm on herbal calms and have understood what panic attacks are and I'm hoping to get through them. I'm just wondering why your chest hurts when you have a panic attack or even when you're not. I've got really confused on what is heartburn and what is actually a different matter. I think that's because when I have a panic attack my chest hurts. Your comment would help me. Clare
Dear Clare
I do sympathise. Panic attacks aren't very nice, are they? The good news is that they are not life-threatening and they have different symptoms from heart attacks. Heartburn is caused by acidic fluids from your stomach coming up into your upper digestive tract. The reason that this often goes along with panic attacks is that when you produce excess adrenaline, which is what causes panic attacks, the body sees this as a call for extra energy in your muscles. This is part of the fight-or-flight response, and it means that the blood supply which normally goes to your digestive system is temporarily diverted. Hence the butterflies in the stomach, heartburn and other digestive irregularities. They may be uncomfortable but they're harmless and they do go away.
Heartburn is nothing to do with the heart! The name's just because you feel it in a similar part of your chest. You can ask your chemist what he recommends for dealing with this as there are some good over-the-counter remedies. Do tell the chemist what else you're taking, though, won't you?
You can begin to combat anxiety attacks by breathing in normally to a count of three, breathing out normally to a count of three, and then holding your lungs empty for a count of three. This sends the message to your body that it doesn't need the extra adrenaline, and you can do it several times over for maximum effect. Another ploy is gently to stroke down your neck from jaw-line to collar bone with your finger on one side of your windpipe and thumb on the other. It also helps to do something physical to anchor yourself in the here-and-now, such as putting your hand under the cold tap for a minute or two or sucking an extra-strong mint. Working out what triggers an attack is useful, and can in fact divert your attention so that the panic attack is over more quickly. Eventually most people simply get bored with them, and as they no longer worry about them the attacks fade away in time.
There are some effective medicines which your doctor can prescribe, so do go and see her, won't you? It can also be worth seeing a counsellor, and perhaps your GP can offer yo a referral. Meantime there is more information about overcoming this irritating condition on my website at www.emotionalmagic.net I wish you a speedy return to calm, confidence and optimism. Back to Ask Anne
