What You Need to Know About Panic Attacks by Maram Barak, M.A.

Panic attacks can be really scary. However, one thing that helps is recognizing that they are panic attacks and that they will pass!

The following are signs of a panic attack:

Increased heart rate
Shortness of breath
Chills or hot flashes
Nausea
Numbness and tingling
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed

Here are tools to help you handle a panic attack:

Sit with it and try not to fight it
Engage in deep breathing
Engage in muscle relaxation techniques
Shift your focus
Take a walk
Seek help from a mental health professional

Maram Barakat, M.A., is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a special focus on global mental health and research methods. She is primarily interested in providing access to quality mental health services in low-to-middle income countries and vulnerable populations. She is especially passionate about working with survivors of abuse and violence. In fact, she has integrated her passion with her academic interests by focusing her master's thesis on culturally adapting and implementing cognitive processing therapy to Syrian refugee women who have experienced sexual violence during and post-displacement. Maram has worked as a mental health professional and advocate in Lebanon, Uganda, and New York for the past six years. At the Lukin Center, Maram will be taking on the role of social media manager. Her main responsibilities entail managing and monitoring the center's social media platforms, creating content, increasing engagement, and more. Apart from her professional interests, she enjoys acting, karaoke, and extreme sports.