Gisele Bundchen: How the Supermodel Conquered Her Panic Attacks by Dr. Sanam Hafeez

Over 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from anxiety and panic disorders. And as privileged as they are, celebrities are no exception when it comes to panic attacks. Whether it's a one-time event or something they consistently struggle with, dealing with a panic attack is never easy. Most recently, in the media and her new book, "Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life," Gisele Bundchen described the debilitating panic attacks she experienced when she was younger and how they almost led her to suicide. Gisele is not the only celeb who has confessed to former or current panic attacks. Others include Lena Dunham, Caitlyn Jenner, Emma Stone, Ellie Goulding, Amanda Seyfried and John Mayer.

What is a panic attack? Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. They can strike at any time – when you're driving a car, at the mall, sound asleep or in the middle of a business meeting. You may have occasional panic attacks, or they may occur frequently. Panic attacks have many variations, but symptoms usually peak within minutes. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides. One of the worst things about panic attacks is the intense fear that you'll have another one. A panic attack occurs when the body experiences a sudden surge adrenaline out of proportion to any perceived danger or threat.

What is a panic disorder? You may fear having panic attacks so much that you avoid certain situations where they may occur. It can become so severe as to cause agoraphobia where people become housebound. When this occurs, it is known as panic disorder. The word "attack" is actually a misnomer as nothing is being attacked. Panic occurs when the body goes into a state of fight or flight even when no real danger is present. A person can be sitting at their desk typing, yet feel as if they are being chased by a lion and the body is responding with adrenaline appropriate to a dangerous situation, but not realistic for the situation the sufferer is actually in. Nobody has ever died from a panic attack! A person may feel as if he/she wants to die, or death is imminent, but it simply will not happen!

How did Gisele Bundchen reduce her panic? As Gisele Bundchen has mentioned, her panic attacks subsided when she made lifestyle changes such as:

• Not drinking a bottle of wine per day.
• Stopping a pack-a-day smoking habit.
• Incorporating meditation and yoga.
• Cutting out sugar. 

After a few months, she says she stopped experiencing any panic attacks and had a new outlook on her life and her health.

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