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NEW research shows there has been a steep increase in the number of people suffering panic attacks in the UK.

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased anxiety for many and mental health charities say there's been a steep rise in people seeking help for panic attacks.

Anything from worries about health and money; to changes at work, school, or relationships, can cause deep-seated anxiety.

Google search data found a major jump in searches related to anxiety, panic attacks, and treatments for panic attacks in the year following the first lockdown.

And this week worrying new figures showed children as young as five been having panic attacks around meeting up with their friends for play dates following repeated lockdowns.

Experts have said young children have become prone to heightened anxiety in the last 18 months and many are fearful to leave their homes.

But what are panic attacks, how do we know if we are having one and how do we help someone who is suffering from one?

Life Coach and expert in panic attack management Jeff Spires tells you everything you need to know about panic attacks.

He says: “Panic attacks are absolutely on the rise and there's a lot of very good reasons for the increase.

“During the pandemic, there has been an increase in fear and therefore an increase in anxiety triggers such as worries about catching the virus, worries about finances and fears of postponing big events, as well as worries about not knowing what the future holds.

“Put all these together and it can take more thing to tip us over the educe and result in a fully fledged panic attack.”

WHAT IS A PANIC ATTACK?

Jeff says: “A panic attack is an overreaction to feelings of extreme uncertainty. 

“When we're in a situation where we feel overly nervous or anxious or apprehensive about a situation, we naturally start to hyperventilate. 

“If we don’t manage to calm ourselves down, we might start to feel hot or cold or slightly dizzy, and if we are unable to reduce those symptoms, sooner rather than later, they can start to spiral out of control and this results in a panic attack.

“Our hyperventilating gets worse and worse, our heart starts to pound faster, we can feel sick and dizzy and feel like we are totally out of control of our body.

“Some people get really red blotches all over them, and some even experience so much pain I their chest they believe they are having a heart attack.”

WHAT TRIGGERS A PANIC ATTACK?

Jeff says: “Lifestyle always triggers panic attacks. 

“So when we have a lifestyle or an event or time in our lives that is stressful, out-of-our control or fear-inducing, we are in danger of being in a situation where we can lean towards more panic attacks. 

“We all feel stress at certain times in our lives, and even children can feel stressful moments, but it's when we don't deal with the stress that we become overwhelmed and the mind and body manifests itself into a panic attack.

“And once our body learns what a panic attack is, we are more likely to have them again in the future.

“Absolutely any single person on this planet can experience a panic attack.

“It is a reaction from our body when it gets to that point of extreme overwhelm where it is just says “enough, I can’t deal with this anymore, I’m going into panic mode.”

HOW CAN WE PREVENT PANIC ATTACKS?

RWL's App has guided breathing exercises to help reduce stress and anxiety

Jeff says: “The key is to learn the signs of a panic attack and practice techniques that help to calm you down so you are prepared if you ever have one.

“It’s also about recognising when you are overwhelmed.

"If you can catch it at that point, then you’ve got a much greater chance of being able to deal with it before it even gets to a panic attack.

“When a sense of overwhelm starts to creep up, tune into it and acknowledge it is there and that you have reached a point where you are struggling.

“Instead we're fighting through the stress stop and sit with it and recognise that you need to do something about it.

“The quickest way of preventing or calming a panic attack, and all the neuroscience studies point to this one method, is through deep rhythmical breathing. 

“It's very, very slow rhythmical paced, breathing - four seconds in to fill our lungs up to full capacity, then out for the count of four. 

“And we just repeat the cycle.

“It might seem way too simple to cure an extreme panic attack, but the good news it, it really is the main method and it really does work.

"If you want help learning to control your breathing, the RWL app has guided courses and guided breathing exercise videos for you to follow along to."

HOW CAN WE HELP SOMEONE EXPERIENCING A PANIC ATTACK?

Jeff says: “If you are with someone and you realise they are having a panic attack, the key thing is is take them somewhere quiet and safe - like a corner of a room, or somewhere away from strangers.

“Once they feel they're in a safe space, sit them down and sit down with them.

"And, if you can, hold their hand and connect with them by looking into their eyes.

“Start the deep breathing yourself and get them to follow you and your breathing pattern.

“Speak calmly but clearly and just say - it’s ok, follow me, nothing else matters, just follow my breathing.

“Once they start to manage the breathing technique use repetitive phrases like “You are safe” “You’ve got nothing to fear” “I am here with you”

“The calm reception of these phrases will help to calm them down and they will start to believe they are safe and their fear response can calm down.

“It can be quite daunting and quite scary for children when they're going through this, so expect a few tears afterwards as well and remind them for the rest of the day that they are safe.”