Feeling like you have panic attacks when many people are watching is a common experience and can be attributed to various factors related to anxiety and social situations. Here are some reasons why this might happen:
Social Anxiety: Social anxiety is a common condition characterized by an intense fear of social situations and being judged or evaluated by others. When you are in the spotlight or being observed by many people, it can trigger feelings of self-consciousness and fear of negative judgment, leading to heightened anxiety and panic-like symptoms.
Fear of Embarrassment: Being the center of attention can evoke a fear of embarrassment or humiliation if you believe you might make a mistake or act in a way that others perceive as inadequate. This fear can increase your anxiety and contribute to panic-like sensations.
Performance Anxiety: If you are in a situation where you feel like you are being evaluated or judged based on your performance, such as public speaking or presentations, the pressure to perform well can trigger anxiety and panic symptoms.
Cognitive Appraisal: When you perceive a situation as threatening or dangerous, your body's stress response system may become activated, leading to physical sensations similar to those experienced during a panic attack.
Attention Focus: When you know that many people are watching you, your attention may become hyper-focused on yourself and your bodily sensations. This heightened self-awareness can intensify physical symptoms, making them feel more overwhelming.
Previous Experiences: Past negative experiences in public or social settings, such as feeling judged, embarrassed, or experiencing a panic attack before in front of others, can create a fear of it happening again, leading to anticipatory anxiety and increased likelihood of panic symptoms.
It's important to recognize that experiencing anxiety or panic-like symptoms in such situations is a common reaction, and you are not alone in feeling this way. However, if these feelings are significantly impacting your daily life or causing distress, it may be beneficial to seek support from a mental health professional. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are two effective approaches that can help you better manage social anxiety and panic symptoms in public situations. Additionally, relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices can be helpful in reducing anxiety and maintaining emotional balance during such situations.