You’re shivering, but sweating. Your whole body is stiff. If you move at all, you just know you’ll be sick. You’re hyperventilating. A whisper from across the room sounds like an opera singer screaming at you.

Either you’ve caught the plague, or you’re having a panic attack.

Panic attacks are extremely scary, not only when they are happening, but also when you do something that you know may trigger one. The anticipation of a panic attack can be the trigger for one; in a flowchart, panic attacks would be a vicious feedback cycle.

But there’s proof that you don’t have to live with panic attacks.

One of the most unfortunate things about panic attacks is that a lot of people have them, but have no idea what they are. These people think that there’s something wrong with them, and they don’t know how to get help.

However, the problems that lead to them are much more common than most people think. For me, it was anxiety. But we can’t tell just by looking at someone whether they have these problems, because the methods for coping are so easy to learn.

Relax. Breathe. And keep telling yourself: “I’m fine.”

This is what works for me. And with my experiences, I can help my friends when they are feeling overwhelmed. Anxiety runs in my family, but with medication and coping skills, we are all able to live free of panic attacks.

If you think you are experiencing panic attacks, tell someone! The most important thing to know is that you have the right to feel happy, and your life is worth it to get help.

(And please contact me at agooler@uni.uiuc.edu if you have any questions.)