If You Understand THIS, You Can STOP Panic & Panic Attacks | Dr. Rami Nader

[@Chef_PC]

Every single one of these symptoms describes the feeling I get when I'm panicking about my health. They are all symptoms of terrible health problems, which just makes the health anxiety much worse. It's such a feedback loop and the thought spirals just keep going all the way down.

[@L-ln5fk]

I had a panic attack this morning when I was waiting for the elevator to arrive to take my dog out, when we finally got in my legs were shaking tremendlously, I was so scared, I could hardly breathe. My biggest fear when I have an attack is that I will faint or go crazy. I was really dissapointed and depressed all day, hopeless. This video gave me power to keep going and now I went out with my dog again and I was more confident. Thank you. This video gave me more insight. 😊

[@DrRamiNader]

Glad the video was helpful. I wish you all the best in your efforts to feel better.

[@lauriemtz8616]

I have panic disorder. Hearing all these descriptions is giving me anxiety and panic 😢

[@re431]

Loved this video. Exactly the same things that's been happening to me since a month. I usually get mini panic attacks when I feel sudden depersonalization.

[@DrRamiNader]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@EFLNation]

I’ve had a panic discord and agoraphobia for 6 years now, I’ve had stages of functional panic disorder where I was able to go around in my local area somewhat; but never fully better, now I work from home and did a very stressful month bout and I didn’t leave my house the entire time basically and completely relapsed to where I can barely drive and can’t go into any stores or further than a few minutes from my home. Is there anyway I could hire you to help me finally go into full remission. I play your videos on repeat to really drill the concepts into my head once again, I’m just so ready to get my pre-panic disorder life back. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[@petew5029]

I have severe panic attacks when driving (mainly due to a couple of panic attacks "out of the blue" whilst on the road). My difficulty with the principle of panic symptoms not being able to harm you is that they clearly can when you are driving at 70mph on a motorway. This has become a serious restriction on my life and I really don't think I will overcome it unless I have the confidence that I can stop an attack when I feel it arising. 20 years of this and I'm not there yet.

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Pete - This is one of the most common fears associated with panic attacks - fear of losing control while driving and crashing the vehicle. The main factor fueling this anxiety is a thinking process called overestimation of threat, in which people overestimate the likelihood that they will actually lose complete control of their capacity to operate a vehicle if they have a panic attack while driving. I have a video about this coming up in the next couple of months, so please keep an eye out for that. I hope it will be of assistance.

[@petew5029]

Thank you very much. Your videos are excellent and I am very glad I came across them.

[@DrRamiNader]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you have found the videos helpful.

[@avamiller2325]

I am the same way, over 8 years!

[@dougieboxell6505]

Keep working on it, Pete. You'll get there one day!

[@kfcbandit4713]

Thank you for breaking it down. I’ve suffered from GAD and Panic Disorder for 6 years. It’s absolutely horrible. I’ve been studying Dr Claire Weeks I just don’t have the courage to float through them

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Jacob - I'm glad you found the video helpful. I'll be posting more videos building off this video, discussing skills that people can use to better manage Panic Disorder. With regards to Generalized Anxiety Disorder, if you are interested, I have posted a 14-part video series explaining the state of the art treatment protocol for GAD developed by Dugas and colleagues. You can find that video series in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLG_XiSJeP3s3uiRj-4CNEUn2qoK3mLAzD Hope that helps.

[@chasemartin1753]

You literally described EXACTLY what I feel and experience so I have some questions. 1. Do you ever recommend medication to relieve these symptoms? 2. I didn’t start experiencing these until around 21/22 years old and never had panic attacks or the fear of an attack, why would it start all of a sudden?

[@ironknightgaming5706]

My early childhood was one giant panic attack. None of the adults around me got me any of the help i needed. I had extremely high expectations placed on me and my parents would often times get into 3 hour long shouting matches in the middle of the night. They physically abused me as punishment and only stopped after i attempted to run away. Never once did i think it was panic attacks but i had several panic attacks right in the middle of the classroom and in the hall ways. Just as you described. Heart pounding, a dream like effect blurred vision sweat etc. Instead of helping me i wad laughed at. Despite dozens of adult witnesses i was never given any medical care. The biggest stab in the face was me literally telling my parents i was depressed and i was not taken seriously whatsoever and even punished for doing so. I feel trapped in a self contained hell unable to get out of bed let alone go to the hospital. I am a healthy able bodied adult yet i am unable to do nearly anything. I wake up everyday to a new tragedy. I am overwhelmed to a cruel extent.

[@DrRamiNader]

So sorry to hear about your experiences. I hope you can get some benefits from the videos.

[@drrcm81]

You mentioned dream-like vision and depersonalization. These are symptoms I, for the first time, experienced about 2 hours ago. I legitimately thought I was dying. I'm so glad you brought these sensations up.

[@Abhishek-gr7rp]

I've been facing this since last 5yrs. Working on it. Your video has helped me to calm down in last few days. I try to see all the symptoms and observe

[@DrRamiNader]

I wish you all the best in your efforts to feel better.

[@shahid8545]

43 year old male. I had my first ever full blown panic attack 2 months ago. I had a lesser one 2 or 3 weeks later however I've had some near bushes with a few more that I have controlled through breathing techniques I've learned off KZbin. My first Panic attack happened after a took a couple puffs of a joint.. about 15min later I was pacing around my house thinking I was going to die, called 911 and they took me to emerg, horrible experience. However since then I have been battling with lesser bouts of anxiety and panic attacks. Sometimes I feel like I'm due for one and they fade or have a clash of anxiety but then it fades away... very debilitating. Thank you for the comforting and concise videos regarding this condition, I just found your channel and already learned a ton. Thank you kind sir.

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome. Understanding what happens in panic attacks is key to being able to better manage them.

[@deniseborges6293]

Best explanation of what happens! Thank you!

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Denise, glad you found it helpful! You're very welcome.

[@serpilselamet]

This was very good, very through and a detailed description of what happens .👏

[@DrRamiNader]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@alexgallardo3039]

So, so helpful on reframing perspective! Thank you Doctor, really amazing work.

[@DrRamiNader]

Understanding this model is critical to managing panic attacks in panic disorder. Glad you found it helpful.

[@shabnamsiddiq1391]

A brilliant explaination Dr Rami! Thank you ☺️

[@DrRamiNader]

Thanks! Glad you found it informative.

[@bad_egg000]

Well explained. Thank you 🙏

[@DrRamiNader]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@erinsanders7559]

This makes so much sense!!!! Thank you so much for this video.

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Erin - glad you found it helpful. If you are interested, I have posted other videos on panic attacks and panic disorder and I'd encourage you to take a look at them as well: kzbin.info/aero/PLG_XiSJeP3s0vBPGLL-Jn_Dxen04L795w Hope that helps.

[@elenora67]

This is such a great video. I needed to watch it today as a refresher

[@DrRamiNader]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@Chef_PC]

Just watched it after my panicking attack about heart issues. Just understanding it helps, but it is so hard to stop your brain from focusing on it though.

[@elenora67]

@@Chef_PC yes. I’ve learned so much, and I feel like I’ll make so much progress, and then I’ll have a panic attack and feel like nothing I learned matters

[@meglerma5347]

Thank you for this video, really helpful! Love how calm you are when explaining everything ❤️

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Meg - you are welcome. I'm glad you found the video helpful. Thank you for supporting the channel!

[@emelygarbanzos8231]

Clear and precise tnx so much

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome.

[@arindamhujuri3951]

Beautifully said.. love from India..panic disorder has no cure in Allopathy..but actually management is the key as we actually don't need to cure it but face it .. doctor please make a Video on night time sleeping difficulty solution for Anxiety and Panic disorder patients..

[@Nancy-dz1vo]

This was great! Thank you!

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome!

[@kimking2973]

Very helpful information. Thank you Doctor for the enlightenment

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome, glad you found it helpful!

[@kenpanderz]

similar to how you can condition kids to react to getting injured, like falling ff their bike and scraping their knee, without freaking and and bawling on the ground, and instead react calmly or even barely care that it happened. ofcourse they can go back home and get the wound cleaned and bandaged up, but whether or not they freak out and cry about it, or how strong those reactions are, has more to do with how they were raised to handle these events rather than the fact of the events themselves. largely this has to do with how extreme the reactions to certain events were among the adults around a child in early childhood or even infancy. while you cant really do anything about how you were raised, you can mitigate the reactions you have to these "freak out" feeling via mindfulness about whats going on and why, and methods of how to deal with it appropriately.

[@daisydharmaraj]

That was very clear Dr.Nader. Thank you

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Daisy - you're welcome. Glad you found the video helpful!

[@Prince-hf2ps]

Hello Dr Rami,I watched Almost all or Your vedios,Im suffering from GAD,Your vedios Hepled me in my recovery,I was Fine For Almost 6 7 months No muscles Tension,No worries at all,By Suddenly i again Started feeling Muscle tension,Will u plzz tell me What Should i do now...

[@DrRamiNader]

I can't tell you what to do, because this isn't an appropriate venue for that. Worries tend to fluctuate, so I'd suggest that whatever you did to feel better before, go back to focussing on doing those things. Good luck.

[@sumatinair]

Thank you.. Very well explained.

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome!

[@dynamiteduggan]

Awesome video, much appreciated 👍

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome!

[@luxykl9902]

Lovely and Excellent Talking on Panic Attacks!

[@DrRamiNader]

Glad you found the video helpful.

[@MsBossTone]

I’ve finally understood what’d been happening to me. Thank you so much! 🙏🙏 Do you know if it’s possible to fully recover from panic attacks with cbt techniques (or psychotherapy in general) but without medication? 💊💊

[@DrRamiNader]

CBT is considered the gold standard treatment for Panic Disorder.

[@monaelkhodary3691]

Dr Rami, thanks for your videos, do you think zoloft can help with panic attacks?

[@DrRamiNader]

As a psychologist, I cannot comment about psychiatric medications, as that is outside of my scope of expertise.

[@annboleyn82]

At the moment I’m in a constant state of fight or flight constantly having panic attacks. It’s so tough I’m desperate and devastated I just want to feel normal again just want to feel ok again 😢

[@bigandlittle]

Amazing. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@DrRamiNader]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@palbau-6579]

Truly helpful, as always! 🙏

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Paloma - glad you found it helpful!

[@lebwayway9323]

Excellent videos as usual, can u do a video about driving anxiety and panic, thanx

[@DrRamiNader]

Driving anxiety is on my list of future video topics, so keep an eye out for that.

[@jpini761]

Thank you doctor

[@DrRamiNader]

You're very welcome!

[@kbderek610]

Can you plz do a video on Recovering from the Depersonalizations and Derealozation. I’ll try to seek help for people look at you like you’re crazy

[@DrRamiNader]

I'll add the topics of derealization an depersonalization to my list of future video topics.

[@andrewsuarez5034]

Any tips for me? I've had a panic attack for the first time and now whenever I go somewhere like the store or somewhere public I feel like panicking and I just stay home all day because I feel calm their do you think I need therapy or will this go away the longer I stay home to forget about it????

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Andrew - I can't give individual advice online. However, I'd encourage you to take a look at some of the other videos I've done about panic and panic attacks: kzbin.info/aero/PLG_XiSJeP3s0vBPGLL-Jn_Dxen04L795w

[@kreshnik1710]

you need to expose yourself to panic attacks and not try to avoid it. I have been having panic attacks last 2 months but im allways trying to face them. At the end if you are afraid of them you are afraid against nothing ... its simply your mind materialisig into physical sensations.. in my opinion the best way is to face them and try to breath slowly while having them . its just fighting or runing out from nothing...

[@hollowpoint7604]

I been struggling with panic attack/Anxiety for 5 years it keeps getting worse. I get shortness of breathe my mouth gets dry My neck muscles get tense that I can't swallow my hands start to cramp this feels so horrible and I have this fear I can't shake off. I have all these symptoms everyday I hate it I'm tired of living like this.

[@DrRamiNader]

Sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. How you taken a look at some of the other videos I have posted about panic attacks and panic disorder? You can find them here: Panic and Panic Attacks: kzbin.info/aero/PLG_XiSJeP3s0vBPGLL-Jn_Dxen04L795w Hopefully you find them helpful.

[@junior4984]

Man I feel you you not alone..😢

[@hollowpoint7604]

@JUNIOR I was in mental health for 11 month bro that place helped me a lot they showed me different coping skills, positive affirmation, yoga, meditation and I still get them but not as bad now I'm in control and the best part is that I'm doing it on my own with no medication thank God.

[@mohamedosmanradwan5557]

Extremely helpful ڤيديو مفيد ورائع

[@DrRamiNader]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rainiermoniz828]

Can you do a video on the fear of death ?

[@DrRamiNader]

I'll add it to my list of future videos.

[@AndrewHedlund100]

I had my first panic attack 7 and 1/2 years ago 6 months after my 30th birthday I haven't been a functioning adult since then had to move it back home with my dad my life is going nowhere that and other challenges that I can't seem to overcome have me thinking about suicide quite often

[@bucii01]

I know the feeling after mine almost 12 yrs ago. The anxiety causes my depressive state. But I have never felt to point of hurting myself as mine stems from fear of dying bcs I have a child and that fear of not thhere for my child. This was all caused by a physically and emotionally abusive marriage. He threatened constantly when I finally had the courage to leave. Although we have no contact that panic attack was full blown has me describing it as humpty dumpty had a great fall and the egg can never be put back together. Just find something that you enjoy and focus i that and take it one day at a time. Some days you will he super fine and other days you start fine and then out of the blue the panic starts. So I know that feeling you have

[@delores8383]

When I have a panic attack I feel like I need to get to the hospital or something asap. Everything looks different too and that probably doesn't make sense but everything looks strange

[@DrRamiNader]

Visual distortions are quite common during a panic attack.

[@kregg123]

You have helped me

[@DrRamiNader]

That's really great to hear. Glad you found the video helpful.

[@JoeJoe-vm9si]

For instance: it's not necessarily the upcoming speech and the tightness that arises in anticipation...it's my unrealistic expectations surrounding the tightness. I tend to think I shouldn't be uptight about that speech, and my anxiety over it proves there's something deficient about me. And if that tightness just disappeared, I'd be calm like everyone else. Except some of that isn't true. I like this model of viewing things. It's holistic. It leads me to accept the totality of my personality in a healthy way.

[@caitlinjones4972]

Thank you for your videos, I’m making my way back through your channel and find them incredibly informative and very easy to listen to. My main issue is since my first sudden attack, diagnosed panic disorder and literally 24/7 panic symptoms that only cease when super distracted. I’m sleep deprived and exhausted and struggling to understand how this can’t mean catastrophe. Could you explain why fight or flight may not switch off? I am waiting to see a psychologist but if you could offer some insight I’d be very grateful.

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Caitlin - I am glad you are finding the videos helpful. Unfortunately, I can't provide specific advice online, so I can't provide any insights into what's happening in your situation. Hope you feel better soon!

[@caitlinjones4972]

@@DrRamiNader that’s understandable. Thank you for your reply anyway 😊

[@summer2011909]

Hey Caitlin, how was your success with psychological treatment so far? It seems ive hard similar issues, after couple of short lived panic attacks within a month or so ive spiralled down where issue heavily influences my social life, and almost any social interaction is accompanied by panic attack, while also worrying about it at home. Curious if you found something that helped in your case

[@caitlinjones4972]

@@summer2011909 hey there 💕 Sorry, i only just saw your comment while rewatching this video for the millionth time 😅 unfortunately the psych i visited didnt focus on CBT like i hoped for, i am seeing a new psych soon; fingers crossed! I still suffer from panic daily. The main things that have helped me is 1. Watching/listening to videos like this to understand and justify what is happening. 2. Telling people around me (home, work, socially) what I’m experiencing. It makes me feel instantly better and less alone with my thoughts. 3. Exposing myself to situations that cause panic. From my understanding panic disorder never goes away. So staying home is a short term solution.. I really hope you’re able to get help soon, this sucks. I believe CBT will be effective, that’s what I’m aiming for and might be an option for you?

[@re431]

@@caitlinjones4972 it doesn't go away but you can reduce it to the extent that it becomes like an arrow being shot on an armored vehicle

[@keitht1557]

Can you do a video on how to stop catastrophizing

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Keith - for sure. I am planning on putting out a video on just that topic in the next few months, so please keep an eye out for that.

[@dharanispopcornz3339]

One word answer doc, what the way to destroy panic attack or anxiety attack in a day or week?

[@DrRamiNader]

There is no one word answer for this.

[@nataliahart6413]

The information really helped me a lot, but do you think this alone could help me treat or heal into my panic attacks? i have moderate depression and anxiety plus panic episodes, im about to take antidepressant and some benzo, for panic/anxiety and for my depression, but i really dont want rely my body on meds because i dont want to build tolerance, withdrawal, side effects yea it's normal etc but i hate those. if possible i only want CBT, or some techniques to relieve panic, deep breathing, meditation or mindfulness etc. any advice? thankyou im 25 years old

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Natalia, the techniques described in this video and others I have done ( kzbin.info/aero/PLG_XiSJeP3s0vBPGLL-Jn_Dxen04L795w ) are what I use when I'm working with people who have panic disorder and they are very effective.

[@TheKensei777]

i really learned alot here. i just had a question. how do i stop the fear of being pulled away from my body? i feel like i am going into outer space:(

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Jacoby - I'd encourage you to take a look at my overestimation of threat video, as it addresses these types of worries about panic attacks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGPLhXSwZs-Ar5Y

[@Olasdelmar]

Dr Rami, I do understand this on paper for sure but when the time comes to put it in practice is hard! I started having PA since the pandemic hit and is hard for me to remain inside ANY building. Do you really think that the amygdala can be desensitized in 28 days with habituation like Dr. Claire Weekes said in her books?

[@DrRamiNader]

I don't know what it means for the amygdala to be desensitized in 28 days. The amygdala is a part of your brain, desensitization applies to the way a person responds to a feared situation.

[@shabnamsiddiq1391]

Hi Dr Rami I wonder if this model can be applied to agoraphobia where the thought is related to social embarrassment.

[@DrRamiNader]

In terms of social embarrassment, I think that would relate more to social anxiety, which I have on my list of topics to address in future videos. Agoraphobia is more a fear of being in a situation where a person fears having a panic attack, but in which escape would be difficult.

[@dharanispopcornz3339]

Hi sir, during panic attak, my heart is rising, and pulse is high... Is that dangerous or its normal

[@DrRamiNader]

Those are very common symptoms in a panic attack and, if they are occurring in a panic attack, they are not dangerous.

[@bisc82333]

I think that the amygdala responds to stimuli before the conscious mind, the what-if thoughts are one way to trigger an amygdala response. I think external stimuli can also trigger a fear response independently of your cognitive mind. So I think external stimuli also contribute to this loop. Is this right?

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Garrett - you are correct that external stimuli can trigger anxiety and panic. However, what I'm discussing in this video is what happens in panic attacks in panic disorder - usually associated with panic attacks that come from out of the blue, without any obvious external trigger.

[@bisc82333]

@@DrRamiNader Hi! Thanks for the response and the very informative video! So if someone was avoiding something, and then they are suddenly exposed to it, the amygdala will respond even without what-if thoughts. But won't likely become a panic attack because it is not perpetrated by the what-if thoughts? Does this mean that retraining of the amygdala is part of the recovery from panic disorder? Thanks in advance, I'm just trying to make all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together in my mind.

[@DrRamiNader]

@@bisc82333 There is a difference between panic attacks in panic disorder vs panic attacks that occur with external stimuli. For example, if I'm phobic of spiders and I come into contact with a spider, I may have a panic attack, but that's not the same as a panic attack in panic disorder. For more information about the difference, I'd encourage you to take a look at this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p17Eiq2qf5yknNU

[@bisc82333]

@@DrRamiNader got it, thanks! 😀

[@DrRamiNader]

👍

[@dougieboxell6505]

This is very well put together, thanks Dr! I've been dealing with panic disorder for about a year. Haven't had a panic attack since about November, from memory. I still get a lot of mycolonic jerks & spasms, and in fact, they've increased over the past month significantly. I feel this is the last puzzle piece to get rid of panic disorder. No idea what to do now tho.

[@DAClub-uf3br]

I get Fear and Anxiety both at the same time.

[@DrRamiNader]

People often use these terms interchangeably. I think of fear as the subjective emotional feeling, while anxiety is the subjective emotional feeling plus the physiological arousal and thought processes . I hope that makes sense.

[@itsblackpink2800]

Can i take a bath while im having a panic attack? Like i feel dizzy and my chest is so heavy and its hard to breathe???

[@DrRamiNader]

People can try all sorts of things to make a panic attack stop - drinking cold water, taking deep breaths etc. While none of these things are dangerous or necessarily "bad", if the purpose is to make the physical sensations of the panic attack go away, these behaviors just prolong and fuel the panic disorder.

[@itsblackpink2800]

@@DrRamiNader everyday i'm having a panic attack 😭 all i can do is repeat this video. To calm my mind.

[@elenora67]

I thought you had a video on intrusive thoughts but I can’t find it. Is it gone or under a different title?

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi Almira - I'm not sure what video you are referring to, but you might be able to find that info in this playlist: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): kzbin.info/aero/PLG_XiSJeP3s0iFYcSP6oQHjEUJOQkNzMM

[@elenora67]

@@DrRamiNader thanks I will take a look. I thought it was titled intrusive thoughts. I didn’t get to watch it yet but I remember in the comments someone commented that there was an example you used using your daughter, does this sound familiar? I tried looking through your videos last night and couldn’t find it

[@DrRamiNader]

That example is discussed in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2LbqGSaeM-YkNE

[@elenora67]

@@DrRamiNader I found it ! It was the secret thoughts of ocd. Thank you!

[@CristinaMoya-yt4tb]

Hi i dont know if your gonna see this but my worse fear is suffocating to death by hyperventilation my ultimate fear i have panic disorder

[@DrRamiNader]

That is a very common fear in panic disorder.

[@CristinaMoya-yt4tb]

@DrRamiNader yes I use the flooding technique to help Me

[@junior4984]

I Have Fear of Failure loosing my buisness. Its really bad, its been over two months. Taking a toll on my Family, wife.😢

[@drrcm81]

I feel better about my body's sensations, but now my fear of being attacked by a bear has increased exponentially.

[@DrRamiNader]

Haha!

[@kikihowe4799]

Why are u in the dark?

[@DrRamiNader]

Ya, that was early on when I was making videos. I have improved the lighting a lot now.

[@ivannovoselac3518]

So it's not chemical imbalance in brain, it's more likely cognitive problem.

[@DrRamiNader]

I think it's probably both. The chemical balance hypothesis for depression is wildly overstated, but there are likely neurochemical changes that occur with depression. This can also be caused or contributed to by thinking patterns.

[@travisn346]

It is because you were born with a higher level of creativity and resourcefulness. The creative part of your brain is interacting with the fear mechanism resulting in continuous risk assessments. If it was a cognitive problem youd be able to think yourself out of it...but we know that's incorrect.

[@Jay-su5yo]

Gang stalkers are not a threat just a nuisance there is no real danger