Panic Attacks 

this makes it seem like panic attacks are always caused by something avoidable, but the fact of the matter is that they can be 100% random.

No disrespect to this story or anybody else who has overcome panic disorders and depression through therapy alone, but I look at the comments and see so many people bashing on medication as if taking medication means you aren't strong enough to function on your own. No, medication is not for everybody, a lot of people can function happily without it, and therapy should be used to coincide with medication, not in place of it. However, taking medication does not make you any weaker of a person. If it works for you, then it works for you. As somebody who suffered from 2-3 severe level panic attacks a day, including one that ended in a 911 call, and depression, self harm, and general anxiety, I've been on medication for about 8 months now and can happily say that it has changed my life so much. I rarely ever have panic attacks and my thoughts of extreme anxiety, self harm, and depression are incredible rare. Medication does not make you weak guys (:

To me what's worse than a panic attack, is someone that denies it's existence.

I used to get panic attacks in my early 20s for some unknown reason. I thought I was dying of a heart attack and just sat there in class accepting it with fear I might embarrass myself. The bouts only lasted about a year. Every year since, my anxiety has gone down and the older I get the less I care about what anyone around me thinks.

Sometimes, I believe that the modern world has lost everything spiritual and intellectual, only to replace them with shallow thoughts. People mock philosophy. They don't understand the beauty of art, or that of an Ancient language. They only care about money and meaningless sex. But when I lose almost all my faith in the world, and I slowly begin to become one of them, I come here and watch your videos, and you School of Life, and your subscribers always make me think that no, all is not lost just yet. Thank you.

You are the most amazing channel, presenting the fallacies of every person's life in such a beautiful manner that it makes me realize what I am missing out in life, what is making me suffer, feel pain and utter depression. I really appreciate the fact that you are trying to help people out by reaching them directly. I hope you quickly hit a million and then a ten million subscribers. the world needs to know this channel, maybe everyone will undergo a good realization about what is killing their lives. I never knew that RU-vid could ever be so nice. Thanks!

this sounds so easy to get rid of your attacs, but it isn't for everyone..

Is anyone else thinking that communities such as "The School of Life", are (somewhat) replacing religious institutions for the irreligious? Places where people can gather, listen & discuss topics in a sober, rational & progressive manner. This is the future. Every time I watch one of their videos I feel a deeper sense of connectedness and community.

I've gotten (what I think are panic attacks) at work a few times and every time I've had the same thoughts running through my head "this is my life? This is it?" I only think about that at work. And one time I felt like I was having a panic attack on my way home from work bc I realized my family would be home and I wanted time alone. The thought of them being there overwhelmed me. When they are home I feel obligated to spend time with them and also unable to do my own thing.

Holy shit, you're doing something for free? You are offering therapy to people who need it? It is often those individuals in desperate circumstances who might need therapy the most. The problem is that you need to be fairly well off with the ability to take the time away from work or family obligations for therapy. The fact that you are offering it free of charge to those who seek it out is something I want to truly congratulate you about. I am probably one of the world's biggest cynics and usually I snicker at the idea that first world art and philosophy will cure the rest of the world's ills. In this case, however, the fact that you are doing something practical and actually reaching out to those who need it is very commendable. Don't go getting a big head "The School of Life" , but seriously and with great sincerity.......Nice Job!

I would like to see and talk to a therapist, but I'm poor.

Beautiful animation,i believe everything should be thought in this way

So you are telling me I need therapy?

When the he described the space of that therapist - that place where he would be heard and not be interrupted - I started crying; it felt so safe and warm.

I’ve only ever had one panic attack. But that one panic attack made me feel the lowest ever. I was in my room when I started having my first panic attack.i started having trouble taking normal breaths. I crawled into my chair and curled up. This was at like 11:00 pm btw. I started seeing my walls getting bigger and me getting smaller. I just closed my eyes and started crying and quietly calling for my mom.

This is the most sincere comment I've written. My parents are strongly religious and I am an agnostic. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and can clearly recognize the similarities with your example. I have moved on to another world view, left their religion and social circle, and carry the guilt of crushing that which my parents desperatly try to preach. I try to go easy on them and respect their faith (they're fragile), but can not take part of it. I've been seeing a therapist since getting a B on a test had me going a tiny bit bonkers. Now, I'm back on track. There is hope. I realized that my value as an individual doesn't spring from the opinions of others. I can be less eager to please, without hurting anybody. And I can even maintain my grades thanks to the added peace of mind. If I can do it, believe me, you can too. (Bonus Protip and Controversy; Don't start taking pills just because the doctors tell you. Do research. I learnt the hard way. Don't talk to one doctor - talk to two. If one is "sponsored", the other will notice.)

Happens to me every time time I hear "subscribe". Thanks for stopping that.

These videos have me on the verge of tears. They all hit right at home and are helping me thinks of ways of improving myself and life. Seriously thank you The School of Life

Have a job interview tomorrow and The School of Life is one of the best things to have been referred to me by a friend. Upbeat art, soothing narrations, and content like this specific video always put me in the right head space before something big or after a bad day.

I had my first panic attack when I was 14 years old, stress at school and bullying led to me having panic attacks in my sleep, at the time of course I had no idea what was happening but they went away, I started in therapy recently and it helps an awful lot to have someone you can just talk to and not have to hide away from! - Medication helps as well but so does just ACCEPTING failure, go and see your friends and just say you can only stay 10 minutes, this relieves the pressure of "what happens if I have an attack!!!?!" - if you feel good after 10 minutes then stay a little longer, build up gradually!

This is exactly how my panic attacks started at 22. Thank you for making this video. It opened my eyes to what my eyes to what my problem has been. I can't wait to bring this to my therapist ! Thank you again :')

*This stuff is great. I have suffered rom panic attacks and general anxiety for most of my life. I have been prescribe many antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds. I am very health conscious and do not like taking prescription medication of any kind. I have quit antidepressants all together (long before trying this product). I now take this anxiety formula at the first sign of stress. So far, it has prevented the anxiety from getting worse. This product is an absolute blessing. I received it in exchange for my fair and honest review.*

Just what I needed

Guys, it´s incredible how you care about people, just stunned every time you come up with something new. Would you like to expand ? (like just translating the videos, i would totally do that for you)

This video is basically my eight-month long experience with depression. Talked to a counsellor, no drugs, fine before I knew it.

I am really grateful for this channel, undoubtedly one of the best channels out there.

When he said it revolves around the world 'expectations' I was so shocked because that's exactly what I feel. I find it so difficult to talk to people because I feel like no one will understand me and they will think I'm faking it

I recently subscribed to your page and I have to say that you're videos are awesome! Thank you for sparking that small flame in someone who may be interested in a certain subject. I've seen a therapist before but they were not really helpful. Thanks to your video I will give it another go.

years ago I had those panic episodes, and looking back.. it was the guilt also in my case. I remember in that time a friend of mine telling me that these conditions, or symptoms are far more common than we believe they are. To hear this was such a relief for me. I think this video is of great value for first time panickers. Thanks

Can you do a video about sleep paralysis?

Thank you alain...just by posting this short video you have cured me from my panic attacks...I will be forever in your debt.thank you, thank you, thank yoou.

Panic attacks are hell, good to listen the story of someone who succesfully overcame this horrible condition. Sadly, each individual story hides a different origin for one's panic attacks, so it's only partially helpful to watch other people's cases.

fair play this is one of the most beautiful channels I've ever come across and I watch ALOT of stuff on yt. legends :)

I really like the subjects you pick and the solutions you provide. These videos are the hope for making this world a less miserable, or maybe even a good place to live in.

I love how this channel is bringing some aspects of therapy to the general populous

Deliberate, compassionate, and helpful. Great video, like always.

Thanks a lot for the core of my heart for this. This was so refreshing and was special because the place I come from do not remotely attempt to address these things. So thanks again.

*0:50** I'm crying at such a beautiful sentence*,

I like this style and format of delivery. Easier to comprehend

Absolutely brilliant details in terms of analysis, especially connecting the behavioural and analytical levels. Definitely a good case study to choose as an example.

This channel is so informative & helpful. I’ve learned so much knowledge since I’ve subscribed to this channel.

I'll love to see more of these videos! such beautiful animation and storytelling, narrator, and these videos are quite enlightening!

Wish I had found such a good therapist. Have been in therapy fifteen years and still have anxiety ! encouraging !

This video encouraged me to finally get a therapist to help me with my stuttering problem, i hope my therapy experience will be as succesful as Zach's up there.

Excellent info and animations, as always!

This video came just in time, thanks, SoL!

Thanks for not making this video overwhelming! Learned a lot

Thank you for this video. So many of your videos have helped me immensely, and I greatly appreciate your efforts.

I think so many of us share a similar story. Incredibly eye-opening. Thank you!

Thank you for your amazing work. This channel really hits the spot like a full meal, making everything seem a bit lighter and more pleasant. Hate to type the usual "Make one about topic X"-comment, but have you considered making one about Viktor Frankl? I think he and his logothrapy would give a great addition to the other topics about existentialists.

This channel really helps me through the day. Are there any videos on here about dealing with change? That would be something I'd like to watch.

I don't know why but that was the most inspiring thing I've seen in years

more psych videos please! this channel is great for a training psychiatrist who is very interested in psychodynamics. thanks for the great content!

Meds can be a good thing people. I have been on both ends of the spectrum on this issue and found the best approach for me was somewhere in the middle. Some meds and some therapy have helped tremendously. It took a while to find the right meds and the right therapist, but I persisted and found my solution and my peace. Don't be an extremist, be open minded, do your own research, listen to professionals, ask questions and be honest with yourself and your doctors. Good luck.

This was very good, please make more of these psychoanalysis videos in the future.

That's a great explanation of how therapy works

What a fantastic and heartwarming animation. Love it. Thanks

I think some people miss the point. Anxiety and depression can in fac become disordered for any person at any time. You don't need a chemical imbalance, or to be born a certain way. The way our minds are can become too chaotic and loud. We are our own worst enemies, some people have a tougher time recognizing their behaviors until its too late. What works for some doesn't work for all, but doesn't mean this person had it worse or less than others. Sometimes it takes self love and to be kind to oneself through self care and acceptance, sometimes it takes other methods. I'm honestly happy this person dealt with his anxiety issues.

A close family member has bad panic attacks. This was really helpful to understand. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Involuntarily teared up mid way through the video. Catching a glimpse of how i relate to the man used as an example caused this video to be for more worth my time than i had anticipated.

Here is something terribly interesting I have heard in an interview with Gabriel Rolon, Argentine's most beloved and most read psychoanalyst: When we say something to someone, we often say much more than we think. And sometimes much less! Or we say something totally different than what we think that we are saying! Isn't this unbelievable?? I mean take the example in this video where the young man only says: "If it carries on like this, I'll have no option but to head back home and live with my parents." Who would have thought that this one little sentence of such an understandable, ordinary complaint would be the sign of a huge trauma, the tip of an iceberg? But really good psychotherapists have the ears for that and the wisdom and the skills to use it to help you make sense of your own life story! It is really very scary , but also fascinating to see that the story of your life is indeed something quite different than the story you are believingly telling to yourself and to others. Things that happened way back in the past will most probably determine a great deal of your future and you'll have no idea about it. ( Unless you decide to see a shrink.) That's why I love reading books of psychotherapy tales! They seem to me even more exciting than the best detective stories! Here is a list of them I would recommend: 1. " Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy" by Irvin Yalom. There are many people suffering from love pain in that book and Yalom says that dealing with patients who are "in love" is the most difficult an uncomfortable part of his work. Because you have to " wake them up" first and deprive them of all the illusions that gave them refuge and comfort till then... 2.Yalom's latest book called " Creatures of a day". Imagine that he wrote it when he was 81. I mean after 50 years of listening to people's problems and helping them! It is a treasure really. By the way in that book he recommends several patients Marcus Aurelius's " Meditations". 3. Gabriel Rolon's Historias de Divan is an excellent book too. One fascinating story after another. It is translated into Brazilian Portuguese and German. The German title is: " Auf der Couch". 4. "Historias Inconscientes" is another book of cases by Rolon. Very heavy stuff though...Don't read it now if you are depressed or something. ( It is translated into German with the title " Trauer, Panik, Leidenschaft: Geschichten aus der Psychotherapy". ) 5. " The Examined Life, How We Lose and Find Ourselves" by Stephen Grosz. ( I haven't read this one yet. But several people say it's great.) 6. " Let me tell you a story" by Jorge Bucay. It is about a teenager who goes to a psychotherapist. At every session he talks about something that troubles him , and the therapist tells him a story that can be helpful. Most of them are great stories! 7. You can watch the great " What's troubling you" series by the psychotherapist Philippa Perry on Guardian Culture channel on youtube. Every video begins with someone leaving a message on an answering machine about a horrible problem . Then you hear what Philippa says to help that person. Very wise and tender advices. The animations are great too.

Interesting. I get Panic Attacks sometimes when I'm somewhere that having a panic attack would be embarrassing. I use to just get them when I thought I was going to die for some reason, but now it's also when I'm in public (sometimes) or when I can't leave on my own free will (Like in a car or stuck at work). A combination of the two always results in an overload of panic/anxiety. I guess I should seek therapy.

Thank you for this video, i'm in a similar situation and and the way you talk about it helps a lot !

Wow, very relevant to myself, dealt with anxiety for a big part of my life and therapy helped a lot. Funnily enough my name is also Zac.

What an awesome video, thank you !

HEY, I'm from rural Minnesota. Don't hit so close to home!!! Love the videos as always, School of Life.

I had my last panic attack about six months ago. Before I have had about a year of constatnt panic attacks experience. Panic attacks manifested themselves in different ways - high blood pressure, tachycardia, general weakness, pain in the heart area, and lack of air as physical manifestations. Also anxiety, fear of death, clouding of consciousness and perception, faint, and several times I even lost consciousness - as mental manifestations. I was almost desperate, but accidentally I discovered one book. After reading the first chapters, I was surprised how much the author’s case is similar to my case. The author himself survived all this on himself and managed to overcome his illness and, most importantly, to understand the true cause of the panic attacks. I really liked that the book does not have idle advice that you only need to pull yourself together and calm down. The book presents a specific diagnosis and specific actions and recommendations on how to completely get rid of panic attacks in about three days, a maximum of a week. This book is available on the Amazon Kindle. I understand that now paying for books is reluctant, especially with a large amount of free information on the Internet, but I think this book is completely worth its money, especially after all that I had to go through. It is completely worth the quality of life without panic attacks and the opportunity to breathe a sigh of relief with the feeling that this whole nightmare is over. I do not force anyone to buy it, but I highly recommend it. It is your decision, but why not to try, what if this is also your case, like mine. There is a link www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZH9PDS

I imagine this approach may work for some, maybe even the majority of people that suffer from panic attacks, but trust me- there are some of us for which there *must* be some sort of physiological cause, rather than an emotional one. The fact that I can have one when I am simply relaxing (or trying to) at home, out of the blue, with no expectations on me, seems to indicate that there's more to it than emotions. Also, I do quite a bit of meditation, so I feel like I'd be aware of it if it were something simple like feelings about my parents or my job or my relationships or death or whatever.

thank you for existing mr school of life youtube channel

This is great. His story reminds me of similar ones found in the psychology book Fantasy Bond: Structure of Psychological Defenses by Robert W. Firestone. Someone at The School of Life should give it a read! Great book, very insightful.

You had a good counselor... Mine is always changing the subject and talking about stuff that I don't need help with at the moment...

love this channel

Wow this has encouraged me to go to therapy next sunday i hope it will go just as smoothly 💜

Lovely video! Really, this was illuminating.

I had panic attacks for years. In retrospect, they were mostly about social anxiety. I was so wound up tight in social situations, feeling trapped, scared of how people would react or what they'd say. And ironically, the most difficult part of panic attacks is sometimes the social isolation. Tell people you're coming down with a cold and you get mountains of sympathy. Tell people you just had a major panic attack, ie you just had one of the most traumatic and horrible experiences life has to offer, where you stared pure terror in the face and thought "this is it," and they look at you perplexed. That really is the icing on the cake: You're dying, you're in hell, and you're ALONE.

I'm sure this works for a lot of people in which anxiety is a temporary situation related to a major life event, but not all people's brains are wired the same way. I've been having panic attacks since I was a young child regularly, and I've been through years and years of therapy, medications, and self guided emotional discovery, and I still haven't been able to get rid of them. For many people anxiety is a lifelong struggle that can't, as much as they try, be thought away. I really wish it could be like that for me, but it's not. I like this video a lot, but people watching please don't make assumptions that everyone's anxiety is solved like this.

Amazing !

Zack sounds like a gentleman, with a strong social conscience.

I think everyone can benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy to some degree. The more self awareness and insight you have, the more control you have over your life.

this is beautiful

THANKS FOR THE VIDEOS

What a fantastic video

this is a lot better than selling merch

Excellent.

I loved this story. Does anyone that know if any other channels have stories about therapy breakthroughs like this?

Awesome video.

I was experiencing panic attacks for the first time in my life about 8 months ago. They are frightening to say the very least. It was enough to scare me into becoming extremely active and living a healthy lifestyle. It seems to have worked so far. It could be that your body/mind is screaming out for you to listen as stated in this video.

I have a severe panic disorder along with a number of other mental disorders and I've finally admitted to myself that's it's okay to accept help. I've been seen a doctor for 6 months and made progress. My goal is to one day not to be medicated for my disorders, however I leaned to accept that I'm not a weak-minded person if I have to rely on my medication.

GREAT VIDEO

watching while having one right now. it's been weeks, and i can't make it stop.

Now, this sounds like a nice success story. I had the same issues, coming from a working class family I felt I was not intelligent enough to survive in a "smart environment." I couldn´t deal with my anxiety attacks during presentations, which had me give up my career as a scientist. I have been in therapy for years during that time, but everytime I had to give a presentation, the symptoms already started 2 weeks earlier: I lost 10 lbs of weight, couldn´t sleep anymore and felt so depressed and miserable that I had suicidal thoughts all the time. I always stumbled through my presentations somehow, but at some point I gave up. I was only 29. Still a bit sad about it, but life´s not a jukebox.

Thank you.

you know I watch RU-vid videos for the simple reason that I'm not a fast reader??? But I do love everything "The School of Life" puts out, just not this one as much ;) Cheers!!! ron;)

Hey, thank you!!!

I'm having troubles attending to my course, i had only one panic attack in the past, in a event from a job i used to work for, it was a Christmas party and the amount of people there so i bolted out of the event, then cried. I'm still not sure why i cried, everyone was so nice there. Now days i find it difficult to attend a course i'm currently in, i know i have the knowledge and skills to graduate, however, I've been experiencing sleep problems, laziness, anxiety and low energy ever since i started this course. I missed 6 months of class.

loved this one :)

I will never have Zack's kind of panic attack as my dad was far more impressive than I expect to ever be. You raise an excellent point, though. I am pleased that I have started to feel excited about the possibility of work that is important to me again (after some trauma and a recovery period), yet every time I get close I have been feeling nauseated. I could use some help with this. I think you generally give great advice. Thank you. I have never skyped. How would that work? By appointment?

If anyone is dealing with panic attacks and is seeking some sort of guidance, I just recently defeated my anxiety and feel so much better and happier with my life. I completely understand that some anxiety is worse than others but with the right mindset you can overcome some of your biggest fears. You will survive and everything always gets better

I clicked on this video with a sense of trepidation.. thinking it might trigger an attack but It turned out to be enlightening.

lovely video