A Night I’ll Never Forget: Understanding Panic Through a Personal Story by a Psychology Student Who Lived It Before She Studied It

Today, on International Panic Day (June 18), I want to share a deeply personal and unforgettable incident from my master's days in Bangalore. Most of us have heard the words “panic attack”, but few truly understand the chaos and helplessness it brings — both to the one experiencing it and to those witnessing it.

I was living in a PG (paying guest accommodation) with three of my Malayali friends. We also had another roommate from North India — I can't recall if she was from Gujarat or Bengal. One day, a girl staying in the room opposite ours began complaining of chest pain and difficulty breathing. Initially, we assumed it might be due to the weather or maybe indigestion. But her symptoms worsened rapidly, and our anxiety grew. We were new to the city and unsure how to help. Eventually, we managed to get her to the hospital, where she was treated. Before being discharged, the doctor asked her to take rest. We didn’t realize then that what she might have experienced was a panic episode.

A few days later, it happened again — but this time with our own roommate from the North. She was pursuing an integrated course at Bangalore University. We had overheard several distressing phone conversations from her, where she would cry, shout, and speak in her mother tongue — emotions we couldn't fully understand due to the language barrier. But we gathered enough to sense she was going through emotional trauma, likely from a toxic relationship and family issues.

One evening, she told us she wasn’t feeling well and requested someone stay with her. I sat beside her in her room. She began sweating, pacing the floor, breathing heavily, and expressing feelings of intense fear. I stayed with her until she fell asleep and checked on her again in the morning before heading to my class.

Later that day, she joined us briefly on the terrace but appeared disconnected, almost like she was physically present but mentally absent. She confessed her fear of experiencing the same breathlessness and confusion again, but we tried to comfort her and went on with our routine.

But that fear came true.

Hours later, her roommate rushed to us, saying she couldn’t breathe and felt tightness in her chest. When we reached her room, she was visibly restless, angry, anxious, and gasping for breath. And then she collapsed.

Panic took over all of us. We had no idea what was happening or how to handle it. Desperate, we rushed downstairs to a nearby supermarket to find someone who could help. Thankfully, a Malayali salesman we were friendly with agreed to help us. With great difficulty, we carried her downstairs and rushed to the hospital. The doctors provided first aid and advised us to contact her family. Sadly, we didn’t have their number and were not close enough to access such personal details. We finally contacted a friend from her college who helped with the rest.

That evening, we learned she had experienced a panic attack.

As a psychology student, I had studied anxiety disorders during my undergraduate days, and I had just started my clinical classes during my master’s. It was only after this terrifying experience that all those textbook symptoms clicked in my mind — the rapid breathing, fear of dying, chest tightness, sweating, and emotional overwhelm. It was no longer just a theory — it was real, raw, and deeply human.

Understanding Anxiety and Panic: More Than Just Stress

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues globally — yet they’re often ignored, dismissed, or misdiagnosed.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety:

• Persistent worry or fear that is hard to control

• Feeling restless or on edge

• Fatigue and sleep disturbances

• Difficulty concentrating

• Muscle tension or headaches

• Digestive problems (like nausea or IBS symptoms)

• Avoidance of situations that cause anxiety

Panic attacks, a subtype of anxiety disorders, are sudden and intense episodes that peak within minutes. They often include:

• Racing heart or palpitations

• Sweating, shaking, or trembling

• Shortness of breath or feeling of choking

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Nausea or abdominal distress

• Dizziness or feeling faint

• Fear of losing control or “going crazy”

• Fear of dying

People who experience panic attacks often live in constant fear of having another one, a condition known as panic disorder. This fear can lead to avoidance behavior, impacting education, work, and relationships.

Why Awareness Matters

In a society where physical health is prioritized over mental health, people suffering from anxiety or panic attacks are often told to “calm down” or “stop overreacting.” This can be deeply invalidating — and dangerous.

According to a 2021 WHO report, anxiety disorders affect over 301 million people globally, yet many go untreated due to stigma, lack of access, or poor mental health literacy.

A 2023 study in BMC Psychiatry found that more than 1 in 10 Indian university students experienced moderate to severe anxiety — but only a small fraction sought help. Even more concerning is that mental health first aid is still not a common concept in our communities.

A Small Act Can Save a Life

When I look back now, I realize that sitting beside my roommate that night, not leaving her alone, offering a sense of safety — was perhaps the most important thing I could do. Sometimes, presence is the first aid.

Mental health awareness is not just about knowing the terms — it’s about recognizing the signs, offering support without judgment, and encouraging professional help when needed.

Let today — International Panic Day — be more than just a date. Let it be a reminder to stay aware, stay kind, and stay informed.

Because behind every smile, someone might be fighting a battle we can’t see