Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

Finding Peace When Panic Finds You

“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” – Psalm 56:3 (NLT)

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What is a Panic Attack?

Have you ever felt like fear just came out of nowhere? One moment you’re going through your day, and the next, your heart is racing, your chest feels tight, and it’s like the world is spinning. Maybe you’ve even wondered, Am I dying? What is happening to me?

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That, dear friend, might have been a panic attack.

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Panic attacks are sudden episodes of overwhelming fear that don’t seem to make any sense. There’s no lion chasing you, no fire to flee—yet your body is reacting like you’re in danger. And it’s terrifying.

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Sometimes they come just once. But other times, they come back again and again, and the fear of having another one becomes its own kind of prison. That’s called panic disorder, and if you’ve been there, you know how exhausting it can be.

But here’s the hope: You are not crazy. You are not alone. And you are not without help.

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What Panic Feels Like

Panic attacks often strike without warning. In the car. At the grocery store. Lying in bed. In the middle of a meeting or a worship service. There’s no predicting them, and no “logical” reason for them—but your body sounds every alarm.

You might feel:

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• Like something terrible is about to happen

• Out of control or afraid you're dying

• Your heart racing or pounding out of your chest

• Sweaty, shaky, or freezing

• Like you can’t catch your breath or swallow

• Nauseous or dizzy

• Numb or tingly

• Like you’re watching yourself from the outside, not really here​

 

Afterward, it can feel like you’ve run a marathon—physically and emotionally drained.

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And perhaps the scariest part? The fear that it will happen again. That kind of fear can shrink your world.

 

When It’s Time to Reach Out

Can I gently encourage you? If you’re experiencing panic attacks—especially if they keep happening or are interfering with your life—it’s time to reach out. Even though panic attacks feel big, they don’t have to have the final say. They’re treatable. There is help. There is hope.

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And most importantly, there is God—right in the middle of it all.

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At Still Waters Counseling, we believe that healing isn’t just about calming your nervous system—it’s about tending to your soul. We’ll walk with you through the fear, speak truth into the lies, and remind you that your story isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

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So take a breath. Let’s talk. You don’t have to carry this alone. Peace is possible. And it’s closer than you think.