Shutdown, Silence, and the Nervous System Podcast Talk

What Is a Silent Panic Attack?

Most people have some understanding of panic attacks, even if they have never experienced one themselves. They often imagine something visibly intense such as rapid breathing, agitation, or an emotional outburst. A silent panic attack presents very differently.

During a silent panic attack, outward signs of distress may be minimal or completely absent. The person may appear calm, disengaged, or emotionally neutral, while internally their body is responding with the same level of intensity found in more recognizable panic episodes. Fear, dread, physical discomfort, and a sense of loss of control can all be present, even when there is no visible indication that anything is wrong.

Because these experiences are difficult to detect from the outside, silent panic attacks are frequently misunderstood or missed altogether. This can deepen the sense of isolation for the person experiencing them. Others may assume they are fine, while internally the physiological and psychological impact can be overwhelming and disruptive. The absence of visible distress does not reduce the severity of what is happening inside the body.

How Silent Panic Differs From Anxiety

Anxiety and panic are often grouped together, though they function in different ways. Anxiety is a broader, ongoing state that involves worry, tension, and unease over time. It tends to build gradually and may persist for extended periods depending on circumstances and stress levels.

A silent panic attack is episodic and acute. It typically arises suddenly, escalates quickly, and resolves within a shorter time frame. The intensity is concentrated, and the nervous system response is immediate rather than gradual.

Another distinction involves focus and timing. Anxiety often centers on anticipation and future-oriented concern. Silent panic is anchored in the present moment and is frequently experienced as an urgent sense of danger or internal collapse, even when there is no clear external cause. Anxiety is often linked to identifiable stressors such as work pressure or relational strain, while silent panic attacks may occur without warning, which increases their unpredictability and distress.

These differences matter in communication. When someone is in a panic state, including a quiet one, their ability to reflect, explain, or make decisions is often compromised. Pressing for verbal processing in that moment can intensify the experience rather than help regulate it.

How This Relates to Somatic Work and Communication

These dynamics were explored in more depth during a recent conversation with Laura Hulleman on the Raving Coaches podcast. The discussion focused on how silent panic, shutdown, and nervous system overwhelm are often misinterpreted in personal and professional relationships.

From a somatic perspective, the issue is not unwillingness to engage. The issue is limited capacity in the moment. When the nervous system is flooded, access to language narrows. Stillness, freezing, or going quiet function as protective responses rather than signs of avoidance or defiance.

Somatic approaches emphasize regulation before explanation. Working with the body through sensory input, breath, posture, temperature, or gentle movement can support the nervous system in settling enough to allow communication to return. This sequencing reduces misinterpretation and helps prevent unnecessary escalation.

At Healing Arts Center, this understanding informs how care is structured. The focus is on trauma-informed practice, pacing, and supporting nervous system capacity rather than forcing expression too early. Modalities such as medical hypnotherapy, yoga nidra, breathwork, and Reiki are offered alongside virtual options for those who are not local. The emphasis remains on safety and discernment rather than performance.

Podcast Conversation

These topics are discussed further in the following podcast episode.

Podcast: Raving Coaches
Host: Laura Hulleman
Episode: Is Anxiety Making Your Life and Business Decisions with Victoria Duarte (Counselor Endotype)
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/00AJbx8imL97zTjgk14t40