A father of two who was convinced he was having a heart attack during a work meeting has revealed he was actually experiencing a panic attack. The man, identified only as James, said his heart began racing, his palms became drenched in sweat, and he felt a sudden tightness in his chest. He excused himself from the meeting, fearing a virus or worse, but the symptoms only worsened. “It felt like I was dying,” he admitted. “I couldn’t breathe, my chest was tight, I was dizzy and I was convinced something was seriously wrong.”
James visited his GP multiple times and even went to an emergency room, but tests ruled out any physical issues. A doctor eventually suggested he may have had a panic attack. According to Australian statistics cited in his case, about 40% of Australians may experience a panic attack once or twice in their lives, while 5% could suffer from the more debilitating panic disorder. The difference, the article notes, is that a panic attack occurs irregularly, whereas a panic disorder involves repeated and regular attacks.
James, who works long hours in a demanding corporate banking role, said he was juggling an unmanageable workload alongside fatherhood of a six-year-old and a four-year-old. At home, he often felt he was failing. “I wanted to be present for my kids but I was always too tired or distracted,” he said. “I felt like I wasn’t enough.” His wife had tried to discuss the toll it was taking, but he brushed her off, saying, “I’m fine. It’s just a busy season.” He later admitted he was drowning.
In therapy, James explored the deeper roots of his anxiety, including a childhood in which emotions were rarely discussed. His father, a strict disciplinarian, dismissed vulnerability as weakness. “Crying wasn’t an option,” James recalled. “You just had to get on with it.” That stoic mindset carried into adulthood, leaving unresolved tension to simmer. Therapy also looked at how early trauma could shape the brain’s response to stress, with constant pressure triggering his fight-or-flight system and leading to panic attacks.
Recovery has been slow and non-linear, but James now prioritises self-care, including regular exercise, mindfulness, and setting boundaries at work. He is also learning to be more open with his family and carve out quality time with his children. Despite initial resistance to therapy, support from family and close friends helped him unpack his life history, express unspoken emotions, and speak openly about his concerns. The rumination and overthinking that once overwhelmed him have begun to ease, offering a path forward.
