Our instinctive response to danger is a good thing – most of the time

BACK before we evolved to use modern things, such as tools, clothes and courgette spiralisers, we had to rely on our instincts.

One of our inbuilt safety mechanisms was the fight-or-flight response which the brain implemented when we were in danger.

It set off a series of physical responses – increasing heart rate and breathing, raising blood pressure and boosting the amount of blood to the muscles – which are useful, even in modern times, when faced with a physical threat.

But sometimes this response can be triggered where there is no real threat, leaving the person experiencing it feeling quite upset.

It’s what we’d recognise as a panic attack, and one in 10 of us experience them occasionally.

The common symptoms are severe anxiety, a racing heart, sweating, shaking, a dry mouth, chest pains and feeling sick. The person affected perhaps believes they’re having a heart attack.

The over-breathing associated with panic attacks is a vicious circle. Panting blows out too much carbon dioxide and changes the acidity in the blood – leading to dizziness and worse symptoms.

Slower breathing is a good way to stop a panic attack. Abdominal breathing – trying to use the diaphragm to draw in and expel air – might help.

Infrequent panic attacks are nothing to worry about, but repeated episodes, known as panic disorder, can be treated.

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a type of counselling where the root causes of a panic disorder are tackled.

Antidepressant medicines can also do the job. These alter the levels of brain chemicals – neurotransmitters – which may be involved in triggering symptoms.

And a combination of both can work very well.