Panic attacks: you are not alone
Many people know panic attacks first-hand, and many would love to talk about them with someone who has been there. Understanding how the cycle works is the first step to breaking it.
18 October 2026 · 2 min read
Today we want to talk, gently, about panic attacks.
Many people around the world know them first-hand, especially in the Western world. When they are frequent, they can deeply limit a person's independence: for some, even stepping outside their own home becomes a small challenge. And little by little, it is easy to withdraw into yourself.
A cycle that can be broken
Panic disorder is not simply psychological in origin: there is also a strong genetic and biological predisposition. The psychological side comes into play later, when people begin to fear the fear itself. That is where a cycle starts feeding on itself.
Understanding this mechanism is already a first step: what we understand frightens us less.
Even in childhood
We should never forget that even young children can have panic attacks. They are generally much less frequent than in adulthood, precisely because, without awareness, the psychological side does not fuel the cycle in the same way.
It is not uncommon for adults to remember experiencing them as children, with one key difference: back then, they had no name for those strange episodes that would suddenly come over them.
Talking about it helps
- Putting a name to what you feel makes it easier to handle.
- Sharing with someone who has lived the same experience makes you feel understood, without the need to explain.
- If episodes are frequent, talk to your doctor too: asking for help is a sign of strength.
Please know that you are not alone. Many people live with panic attacks, and many would love to open up to someone who truly understands because they have been there. On Findred you can find exactly these kindred spirits.
Sending a virtual hug to everyone on this journey. ❤️
Originally published on Findred's LinkedIn page.
