# 145: The Psychology Behind Panic Attacks - What’s Really Happening & What Helps

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Panic attacks can feel terrifying, disorienting, and deeply personal, but they are not a failure of character or strength. In this episode of The Lemon Tree Coaching Podcast, we unpack what panic attacks actually are through a neuroscience-informed lens.

We explore how the brain’s alarm system misfires, why panic often begins before conscious thought, and how the body’s survival wiring creates sensations that feel life-threatening, even when you’re not in danger. Drawing from research by Dr. Joseph LeDoux, Dr. Stephen Porges, Dr. Alicia Meuret, and others, this episode explains why panic loops form, why some nervous systems are more vulnerable, and why the aftermath can leave you feeling wiped out.

We also dive into science-backed, real-time tools that interrupt panic as it’s happening - including breath regulation, orienting, temperature shifts, vagal stimulation, and yes, even sour candy. These are not trends - they’re bottom-up nervous system interventions grounded in research.

If panic has ever made you feel broken, weak, or out of control, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical tools to help you understand what your body is trying to communicate, and how healing is possible.

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📚 References & Resources

• LeDoux, J. (2015). Anxious: Using the Brain to Understand and Treat Fear and Anxiety
• Clark, D. M., & Salkovskis, P. M. (1988). Catastrophic misinterpretation in panic disorder
• Kendler, K. S. et al. (2001). Genetic epidemiology of panic disorder
• van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score
• Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory
• Meuret, A. E. et al. (2012). Capnometry-assisted respiratory training for panic disorder
• Levine, P. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice
• Craig, A. D. (2009). Interoception and awareness of bodily states

⚠️ Brief Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, medical advice, or diagnosis. If you are struggling or in crisis, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional or contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.). If you are outside the U.S., please seek local support resources.