When the Therapist Has a Panic Attack

By Tracy Perry

A couple weekends ago, I traveled to attend a family gathering.

Beautiful celebration. Family gathered. Smiles everywhere.

But behind my quiet smile, I was unraveling.

As the plane landed, my body was already sounding the alarm.

Nausea. Tight chest. Shaking hands.

And then the text came—

My ride wasn’t there.

What was supposed to be a joyful arrival turned into a spiral.

I had to scramble for an Uber.

The driver didn’t greet me, didn’t help with my bags, and drove like he was trying to outpace my breath.

Every swerve felt like a threat.

I tried to explain how I was feeling to my family.

They laughed. Brushed it off. Told me to “just breathe, like I tell my people to do.”

But what they didn’t know—what most people don’t know—is that

I live with anxiety.

And that moment?

That was a panic attack.

Let’s Talk About It: Anxiety is Real

I’m a licensed clinical social worker.

I teach others how to regulate.

I train on trauma and resilience.

But none of that makes me immune to dysregulation.

When I talk about trauma, I don’t just mean the big, headline-grabbing moments.

I’m talking about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that live in the body.

Moments of fear. Moments of abandonment. Moments of unpredictability.

That panic attack?

It wasn’t just about an Uber.

It was about disconnection.

My nervous system remembered what it feels like to be unprotected.

And it responded—loudly.

How Anxiety Shows Up (Even When We Hide It Well):

• Racing thoughts

• Shallow breathing

• Dizziness

• Stomach pain or nausea

• Feeling overstimulated by noise or light

• Wanting to disappear while praying someone notices

What Helped Me Regulate in the Moment:

• Box breathing (even when it didn’t feel effective right away)

• Allowing the tears to flow

• Reminding myself: “This moment is hard, but I am safe.”

• Texting MamaLove—even if she couldn’t fix it

• Letting go of the need to be okay for others

• Whispering a silent prayer

Why This Story Matters:

Because if someone like me—a therapist, a “strong” one, a helper—can have panic attacks and still keep healing…

Then so can you.

Your anxiety doesn’t make you weak.

It makes you human.

And every time you survive a moment that tried to undo you,

you’re doing the sacred work of regulation.

💭

Reflection Prompt for Readers:

When was the last time you felt dysregulated?

What did your body try to tell you before your brain caught up?