A Sunnier Forecast for Those Who Suffer From Panic Attacks

Television meteorologist weatherman forcasting with hurricane typhoon cyclone image in backgroundPhoto byEric Hood / Adobe Stock

Nate Byrne is a popular Australian meteorologistwho regularly tries to predict the future in his weather forecasts.

But in a recent news broadcast,what he really taught his viewers about was how to be more accepting of unexpected events in the present.

During the broadcast on August 12, Byrne calmly interrupted his forecast and asked his fellow news presenters to take over for him for a moment. They did,providing a blueprint for those who suffer with panic attacks to ask for help, as well as an example forhow to respond compassionately to someone having such an attack.

What are panic attacks?

Panic attacks vary widely, but they frequently cause similar physical symptoms. Brought on by sudden and intense feelingsof fear,panic attacks can cause outward signs like a racing heart, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, and fast breathing.

Panic attacks are often seen as part of a larger mental-health condition known as panic disorder. Those who experience frequent panic attacks are often diagnosed as having panic disorder, which is related to anxietydisorders. Panic disorders are believed to affect up to 2 or 3% of American adolescents and adults,andmany researchers believe they and other anxiety conditions have become more prevalent in the population since the global COVID pandemic.

Those who suffer from panic attacks and panic disorders struggle with a condition that stymies even the experts. Many resources on these disorders start by saying things like“the causes of panic disorder are not fully understood.” It’s currently thought thatpanic attacks start as fear responses that engage the amygdala, a small structure deep inside the human brain.

Panic attacks can feel very severe indeed. Studies have found that more than a million emergency department visits each year are the result of anxiety or panic attacks, with sufferers often reporting that they fear they are having heart attacks or other serious medical issues.

When a panic attack happens live on air

“Some of you may know that I occasionally get affected by some panic attacks, and actually, that’s happening right now.”

Aftercalmly reporting that, weather presenter Nate Byrne went on to ask his co-worker, Lisa Millar, if she could take over, which she did, with admirable poise.

This was not Byrne’s first panic attack, although that one also happened live on air, in 2022. Byrne wrote an article about that experience, noting that he had to rush slightly to be in position to do the report, and that slight exertion triggered his first attack. He was able to make it to the end of his first segment, but experienced a worse attack just a few minutes later when the camera was on him again.

Worse than the initial attack was the subsequent fear that his career in front of the camera — Byrne calls it the thing he “loves most” — would be over if he couldn’t conquer his attacks.

In his 2022 article, Byrne detailed the actions he took immediately so that he could go on-air again the same day he experienced his first attack. Through a mix of therapy and a short-term beta blocker prescription to help keep his fear responses at bay, the presenter learned how to live with his panic so that he could keep doing the job he loved.

A blueprint for attack sufferers, and those who want to help them

Byrne’s colleague Lisa Millar was also quoted in Byrne’s original article about his anxiety, detailing the first time she saw him overcoming an episode on air. Noticing a slight difference in his speech, Millar first worried that he might be having a stroke.

During Byrne’s most recent attack, Millar took over without losing a single beat, and went on to commend Byrne for his openness about his struggles.

There is so much all of us can learn from this very brief exchange.

First, if you’re a person who suffers from panic attacks, don’t assume you’re the only one! Know that it’s a common problem and there are multiple treatments available.

Secondly,don’t spend all your energy hiding what you’re going through. Once you know or feel you know what’s happening to you, try to be honest with those around you. View showing your vulnerability as a way to encourage others to meet whatever health challenges they have in the same forthright and honest manner.

Thirdly, if you have loved ones, friends, or colleagues who suffer from panic disorder or similar anxiety attacks,remember Lisa Millar’s compassionate and competent response to Byrne’s simply asking her to take over for him.

People can experience panic attacks any time, even when they’re at work. Luckily, two consummate broadcasting professionals just helped remove the stigma of anxiety by treating it as just another part of their working day.