Neuroplasticity and panic are two concepts that may seem distant, but are actually intricately related in the wonderful world of the human mind.
Panic attacks manifest as an exaggerated fear response through symptoms such as tachycardia, sweating, difficulty breathing and a feeling of loss of control, etc. But in turn they do not respond to an apparent organic cause
On the other hand, neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout life in response to experience, learning, and the environment. Basically, the brain is moldable and “sculpted” by our experiences and actions.
Fear is an emotion that, put in context, makes sense. If I have a hungry lion in front of me, it is logical that I feel afraid. The problem is that most of the time we feel this emotion it is generated by the way we perceive reality and not by reality itself.
Panic has a strong learning component. A person who experiences repeated panic attacks could shape his brain so that he perceives the world, himself and the future in a distorted and hostile way.
The more you practice something, the more the brain changes. Most of our fear responses are the product of learned fear and although it is difficult to understand, we often practice dysfunctional habits and behaviors that lead us to be experts in suffering panic attacks. This means that the brain circuits involved in fear learning and responsible for triggering panic may become more sensitive and reactive, leading to a greater likelihood of experiencing more panic attacks in the future.
On the other hand, neuroplasticity also offers hope. Through psychotherapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, these brain circuits can be restructured.
By gradually exposing the person to situations that trigger panic and teaching them strategies to manage their thoughts and emotions, new, more adaptive patterns can form. Over time, this can lead to a reduction in the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
The process of overcoming panic can take time and effort, but with perseverance and the right approach very good results can be achieved. Cognitive behavioral therapy is specific to working on these disorders and to develop strategies to manage panic and take advantage of brain plasticity to promote change and recovery.
By abandoning dysfunctional ways of being and thinking. With patience, determination and commitment, patients acquire new healthy habits that transform the brain, adapt and reorganize throughout life in response to the experiences and challenges we face.
Lic. Flavia Cerutti. Mp.13357 Psychologist and Master in Educational Innovation.
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by CEDOC
