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Here's How It Physically Feels To Have A Panic Attack

Spoiler alert: It's terrible.
Woman with Hands in Lap
Lisa Kimmell via Getty Images
Woman with Hands in Lap

It can be difficult to put into words just how debilitating mental illness can be for someone. Enter this visual demonstration.

The SoulPancake video above takes viewers through the anatomy of a panic attack, a common symptom of mental health disorders. The descriptions are spot-on, from feeling nauseous to experiencing shortness of breath.

“Most times there’s no cause at all,” the narrator explains. “I did nothing wrong and everything right. I followed protocol. I could have been happy. Anxiety just doesn’t follow the rules.”

Nearly one in five American adults deals with a mental health condition in a given year. And as apparent by the depiction above, they’re not something a person can just “brush off” ― they cause real physical and emotional reactions. That means they demand the same sensitivity and understanding as any other health issue.

Take a look at the video above to learn more about the reality of panic attacks and mental illness.

Certainly makes you think, right?

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