Lit eZine Vol 6 | p-15 | INSIGHTS | Character Creation 101 – How to Write a Character with Panic Attacks

ARTICLE

CHARACTER CREATION 101 – HOW TO WRITE A CHARACTER WITH PANIC ATTACKS
by Apurva

Characters can make or break a story. Writing realistic and unique characters is a daunting task for a writer. In this series of articles, we will help you to write memorable characters with unique traits that make them real yet stand out from the crowd.

How to Write a Character with Panic Attacks

Writing a character with a mental disorder is tricky. Questions like what a particular disorder or symptom may look or feel like for the character and those around them may not be answered adequately with a quick Google search. And there is no worse sin than misrepresentation for a writer. In this article, I will share the essential details about panic attacks that can be incorporated by writers to create an authentic character who experiences panic attacks.

What are panic attacks?

Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear or severe anxiety which are unpredictable and cause intense discomfort. These are accompanied by a range of cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Importantly, panic attacks occur in situations without any objective danger. Although one may experience anxiety in anticipation of another panic attack, there is relative freedom from severe anxiety symptoms in between the attacks. The rate of panic disorder is higher in women than in men. Relapse also occurs more frequently in women relative to men.

What does a panic attack look like?

Outwardly, an individual having a panic attack may appear to be highly distressed, sweating profusely, trembling all over, with shaky limbs, and hyperventilating like they are suffocating or experiencing shortness of breath. The person may feel a tightness over their chest, abdominal distress, nausea, rapid palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, chill or heat sensations, a feeling of numbness or a choking sensation.

Despite this, persons going through it may generally be aware of their surroundings and are usually able to understand and speak to people around them.

What does a panic attack feel like?

Most characteristic of a panic attack is the fear of having a heart attack, a fear of losing control, going mad or even dying. One may even feel detached, as if people and objects around them are unreal. Some people may feel that they are observing themselves from outside their body. They may feel a disconnect from their own thoughts, and bodies, feeing numb, being unable to trust their memories.

It is often a painful and uncomfortable sensation, which may even become unbearable as it quickly crescendos.

How long does a panic attack last?

Panic attacks usually reach their peak within 10 minutes or less and last for about 20-30 minutes. Some panic attacks can last longer. Multiple attacks of variable intensities may occur over several hours, rolling on like waves.

What triggers a panic attack?

The triggers may be internal or external to the individual. It can be triggered by looking at, hearing or being in the presence of something that invokes fear within the person. It can even be triggered by troubling thoughts, various sensations similar to those felt while one feels anxious. A loud sound which may startle, going back to a place with unpleasant memories, sudden change of environment, feeling alone, fear of failure – all of these may start a panic attack.

The most important thing to remember is that panic attacks are most often, unexpected. This means it can occur out of the blue. These unexpected panic attacks don’t have any obvious trigger or cue at the time of occurrence.

What happens in the aftermath?

All energy feels drained from the body. Some people may have crying spells, some may fall asleep right after. The fear of having another panic attack may set in. Any minor physical symptom may feel catastrophic. There may be worry about being able to go to school or work or even complete daily tasks.

When do panic attacks usually start?

For most people, panic attack may set in around young adulthood, in their early twenties. It may even occur during adolescence. A small number of cases begin in childhood or very late in life.

Is it a panic attack or something else?

Panic attacks may occur as part of a phobia. In that case, it is an indication of the severity of the fear that the individual feels with regard to an established object or situation. It may occur as a symptoms of other anxiety disorders like social anxiety, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety disorders. Panic attacks may also occur secondary to depression. Intoxication and withdrawal from various drugs can also lead to a panic attack.

How do people make it go away?

People may try to make it go away by attempting to calm themselves down, or avoiding the situation where they fear a panic attack may occur altogether or distracting themselves from the sensations being experienced at that moment by maybe talking to someone else, drinking water, getting up and moving about.

However, all these solutions are at best, temporary. For some people, it does not work at all even for a little while. For long-term relief, treatment of panic attacks may involve medications and psychotherapy.