What does the Bible say about panic attacks?

Answer

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), a panic attack is defined as “a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in the absence of real danger that is accompanied by at least 4 of 13 somatic or cognitive symptoms.” Symptoms include heart palpitations, sweating, chills, hot flushes, trembling, tingling sensations, shortness of breath, a sensation of choking, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, a sense of unreality or detachment, fear of going crazy, and fear of dying. Panic attacks can be triggered by specific cues (such as public speaking or reminders of past traumas) or can seem to occur unexpectedly. They typically start suddenly and peak within ten minutes. Panic attacks are associated with certain medical conditions and mental disorders. Individuals who have had panic attacks can attest to the frightening nature of these episodes.

Various factors, including biology, heredity, temperament, stress, and experiences, can contribute to panic attacks. It is advisable to consult a doctor regarding any necessary medical or other interventions. However, the fundamental issue at hand is fear, both during the attack and the fear of a recurrence. Believers in Jesus Christ, as children of God, ultimately have no need to fear. Turning to God and His Word can guide us in managing feelings of fear or panic, whether related to panic attacks specifically or to life in general.

While the Bible does not explicitly mention panic attacks, it does depict situations that could induce such a response. Many instances in the Bible describe people being “filled with fear,” akin to experiencing panic. During a panic attack, an individual is overwhelmed by the fear reaction. Psalm 55:4–8 provides a vivid description of what a panic attack may feel like: “My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and…Trembling has beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert.’” A few verses later, David writes, “As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17). He concludes the psalm by saying, “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you” (Psalm 55:22-23).

Psalm 55 shows us a positive response to times of fear. We cry out to God in our distress, recall His character and His faithfulness, and continue to trust in Him. First Peter 5:7 similarly encourages us to “Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you.” Denying that we are afraid, pretending we are not worried, or obsessing over our fears can all contribute to our bodies reacting in panic. We should acknowledge our fears within the safety of our relationship with God. We can bring our concerns to Him because He is big enough to handle them, and we belong to Him in Jesus Christ. “Fear not” is one of the most common commands in the Bible. God understands that we are prone to fear. Life in this world is often dangerous and scary. But God does not want us to live in that fear; He wants us to have faith in Him instead (Isaiah 35:4;Isaiah 41:10;Luke 12:4;1 Peter 3:14). When we begin learning how to let God handle our daily fears, we remove some of the stimuli that could contribute to a panic attack.

Perhaps the best way to start doing this is to study the character and nature ofGod. The better we understand God, the more we can rely on Him. The more we rely on Him, the less we will be overwhelmed by fear. This involves regularly studying God’s Word, spending daily time with Him in prayer, and actively engaging with other believers. By surrounding ourselves with God’s truth and allowing His Holy Spirit to change our hearts, we strengthen our faith.

Philippians 4:4–8 provides valuable guidance, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! … Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” When we rejoice, entrust our fears to the Lord, express gratitude to God, and focus our minds on things that reflect God’s holiness and beauty, we are less likely to experience anxiety and panic. Indeed, God even assures us that His peace will safeguard our hearts and minds when we approach Him in prayer.

Jesus provided perspective on fear when He said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” «And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. », (Matthew 10:28). He emphasized that most of what we fear is temporary and holds no eternal significance. Instead, we should prioritize maintaining a right relationship with God. He has promised to provide for all our other needs (Philippians 4:19;Matthew

In Proverbs 3:5, we are encouraged to trust in the LORD with all our hearts and not rely on our own understanding. By choosing not to let our limited understanding dictate our peace and joy, we can begin to break free from the hold of panic attacks.