This weeks episode of The Nutters Club, explored how everyday anxiety can escalate into panic attacks, and why understanding the process is key to recovery.

The episode focused on panic attacks, intense physical episodes that can include sweating, racing heart, dizziness, and overwhelming fear. Williams shared his own experience with panic triggered by heights, recalling a frightening moment while visiting the top of the Statue of Liberty. Even recalling the memory, he said, can still trigger physical sensations such as sweaty palms.

Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald explained that panic attacks often arise when natural fear responses become amplified. “Almost everything we get anxious about is understandable,” McDonald said. “The problem isn’t that we feel frightened it’s that the volume gets turned up too high.”

According to MacDonald, panic attacks often follow a cycle known as “fear of fear”. An initial anxiety response triggers physical symptoms, such as rapid breathing or a racing heart, which can then cause people to become frightened of the sensations themselves. This escalating loop can lead to a full panic attack.

Because the physical symptoms mimic serious medical conditions, many people experiencing their first panic attack believe they are having a heart attack.

The programme featured calls from listeners sharing their own experiences with anxiety. One caller described feeling overwhelmed while caring for his parents through serious illness and navigating major life changes. Another listener spoke about how panic attacks can strike unexpectedly in everyday situations, such as shopping in a supermarket.

MacDonald emphasised that while anxiety disorders can feel debilitating, they are highly treatable.

Short-term relief can sometimes come through medication, though some medications carry risks of dependency. However, psychological treatments, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy, are widely recognised as effective in helping people understand and manage anxiety responses.

Avoidance, MacDonald noted, is often what allows anxiety to grow.

“When people start avoiding the situations that trigger anxiety, their world can shrink very quickly,” he said. “The key is learning to tolerate the anxiety long enough to discover that it will pass.”

The programme also highlighted support services available in New Zealand, including the free 1737 Need to Talk mental health helpline, which offers 24-hour phone and text counselling.