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Spike in panic attacks reported among young women and schoolgirls
Colombo, Oct. 21 (Daily Mirror) - Health professionals have raised concerns over a rising number of panic attack cases reported among young women and schoolgirls across the country, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Assistant Secretary Dr. Palitha Rajapaksha said.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Dr. Rajapaksha said medical observations show that between nine to 20 schoolgirls and seven to eight young women are brought to hospital emergency units each week with symptoms linked to panic attacks.
He noted that patients often experience dizziness, fainting, rapid breathing, chest pain, numbness in the hands and feet, tingling in the fingers and toes, tightness in the chest, excessive sweating, dry mouth, and, in some cases, brief loss of consciousness.
“These symptoms are usually caused by panic attack episodes - sudden and intense feelings of fear that can occur without a clear trigger,” Dr. Rajapaksha explained. “It is an overwhelming, uncontrollable fear - a fear of losing control, of not being able to breathe, or of facing certain situations.”
While panic attacks are largely psychological, he said certain medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, anxiety, postpartum changes, or inner ear issues can cause similar symptoms.
“If no underlying medical issue is found, there’s no need to panic,” Dr. Rajapaksha advised. “The best approach is to calm the person and help them breathe slowly, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the lips every five seconds - to stabilise breathing and ease anxiety.”
He said that most cases can be fully managed with counselling and reassurance. Teachers and parents, he said, must pay closer attention to students’ emotional wellbeing, as academic stress and social pressure are common triggers.
“Children should be guided to understand that this fear is not real,” Dr. Rajapaksha added. “Awareness among teachers is crucial to ensure timely support and empathy for affected students.”
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