Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life
University of Chicago MOOC
Brain-Body Disconnect: Panic Attack
Final AssignmentAngela Wiseman13 July 2014
This is Brooklynn*
*Or Brooke. She is my daughter
This is Brooklynn having a Panic Attack
I feel like my skin is going to fall off my bodyMy heart feels like it’s going to explodeThe world is melting around meI have no control of myself or my environmentI feel paralysed, like I’m having an out-of-body experienceI feel like cryingMy whole body shakesI’m nauseousI am confused and dizzyMy mind races, trying to figure out why I’m freaking outI feel angry, embarrassed and terrified
Here’s how Brooke describes her
Panic Attack
Body is off doing “it’s own schtick” (Mason, 2014) producing “fight or flight” responses:Heart palpitationsShallow breathingTrembling/ShakingLight-headedness
Brain senses the biological changes and fear (panic) is interpreted. In the absence of clear external threat, the person having the panic attack assumes some impending internal disaster – often heart attack.
Brain and Body are not working synchronously
What’s going on inside of Brooke?
Parts of Brooke’s Nervous System involved in the Panic Attack:
Also, Spinal Cord at T1 connected to airway/lungs
I have been able to share information on panic attack from the course with Brooklynn. This has furthered our understanding and encouraged deeper dialogue between us
I am able to see the neurobiological connections in newspaper articles, documentaries and personal anecdotes of friends
How this course has impacted me
1. Wiseman, Brooklynn. 2014. Personal interview.2. Mason, Peggy. 2014. Understanding the Brain: The
Neurobiology of Everyday Life: Unit 10 course materials, Professor video lectures.
3. Lewson, Simon. 11 July 2014. Special to the Globe & Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/brain-power-two-books-delve-into-the-wild-world-of-mental-matters/article19567247.
4. Autonomic Nervous System Graphic. 2014. Camosun College. Online Psych 110 Lecture Notes. http://tonks.disted.camosun.bc.ca/courses/psyc110/biopsyc/ANS.gif
References
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