Blog #465: Why I Use the Fujita Scale to Measure My Panic Attacks?
- Jeffrey Snyder
- Sep 2, 2024
- 4 min read
When it comes to Panic Attacks, it’s hard to predict when you are going to have them. When they come, they come in full force and can bring you down considerably for days on end. I certainly have been no stranger to both panic attacks and sensory overloads as a neurodivergent individual.
However, the truth of the matter is that panic attacks can happen to anyone at anytime and anywhere. Most of the panic attacks and sensory overloads that I experience are mostly based around being asked too many questions, dealing with issues that I don’t want to deal with or if I see or hear something so unexpected and life changing, it throws me out of balance.
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But what the level of a panic attack? How do you measure a panic attack or sensory overload when it comes? To this end, I often have to turn to a different source and that source is the fujita scale, the scale that is used to measure the strengths and power of tornados. For the past few years, I have been self measuring the level of panic attacks that I have had and the goal here is to make neurodivergent and sensory friendly families and individuals aware what levels of panic attacks are out there.
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To begin with, the lowest level is Level 1 where the issue doesn’t get to you, but you get a reaction to it. Typically, Level 1 panic attacks last for about 20 to 30 minutes from my own experience. Some of these include seeing something upsetting or bothersome from something like an episode of “Pokemon” for example.
Going a step further at Level 2, you typically are crying and shaking at a higher level and usually it lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes. This is largely because your brain cannot process what is going through your mind, almost like what goes on in our intestines.
Level 3 panic attacks are where you get into higher territory. These can last from 60 minutes to 90 minutes. Usually, it’s an onset that develops from a life event such as a death in the family or an overstimulation of the event going on around us. I personally remember having a level 3 panic attack at my late paternal grandmother’s 90th birthday in 2014 from both overstimulation and the fact that I was missing my late paternal grandfather.
Level 4 panic attacks are sort of the danger zone when it comes to what goes the individual’s mind to the point where emergency services are required. These typically last from 60 to 120 minutes.
Finally, the highest level is Level 5, where you are basically in full on shutdown mode and unable to communicate with anyone around you. In most cases, you would probably end up being hospitalized and placed in a psychiatric ward. Fortunately, I have not gotten to the level of a level 5 panic attack, but the time will come at some point.
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Naturally, the issue that a lot of families and individuals have when it comes to the reaction of panic attacks is because they feel that panic attacks make you weak and embarrassing to the individuals around you. However, the truth of the matter is that when we have panic attacks, it’s usually our bodies telling us that we are in a situation that we need to get out of and the only way we can let others know is through a panic attack.
The other issue is the location of when the panic attack occurs, it can be in the comfort of your own home, it can happen at work or school (believe me, I’ve had panic attacks or sensory overloads in school) or even in a public place such as an airport or grocery store. The key here is empathy for the individual having a panic attack because panic attacks are the only way we can get something negative out of our bodies and minds. If panic attacks are embarrassing or bothering you, I can say that the best way is to just put yourself in the individual’s shoes.
Ask yourself how you would feel if you were in that person’s shoes? What would you do? What level would you be at in terms of panic attacks?
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In conclusion, I will confess that so far this year, I have had a total of 4 panic attacks and while most of them were levels 1 and 2 compared to one level 3 panic attack on Easter of last year, they will still come in their own good time. I like things to be as regimented as possible while also keeping in the back of mind that it’s okay and sometimes necessary to make adaptations to something.
But if I adapt to something roughly, that can also lead to a panic attack. I still haven’t gotten to Level 4 and Level 5 panic attacks yet and I hope to stay away from them as long as I possibly can.
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Catch you all later!!
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