During a presentation, weatherman Nate Byrne starts sweating and breathing heavily – he has a panic attack. This is not the first time this has happened to him, but the team reacts in an exemplary manner.
In the middle of announcing that it would rain in the Australian state of Queensland that day, Nate Byrne had to interrupt. “I have to stop for a minute,” says the weather presenter from ABC Australia. “Some of you may know that I sometimes have panic attacks. That’s what’s happening right now. Lisa, can I hand over to you?”
A panic attack live on Australian breakfast television – a very unfortunate time. But the colleagues in the studio handle the situation not only professionally, but also empathetically. “Of course you can,” responds presenter Lisa Millar. She thanks him and refers the audience to an article by Byrne. There he has been suffering from ailments for some time.
“The panic attacks changed my perspective on mental health”
The symptoms of a panic attack vary from person to person, but can be similar to those of a heart attack. These include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling or a feeling of tightness in the chest. There are also psychological symptoms such as brooding, loss of touch with reality or anxiety.
Fear is actually a sensible reaction of the body to immediate danger. “In anxiety disorders, which include panic disorder, these physical reactions also occur when there is no real danger,” describes the AOK health magazine.
Nate Byrne also had his first panic attack on television. He then wrote an article about the experience, after which he initially feared he would have to give up his job as a weather presenter. But Byrne then went into therapy and learned mechanisms to deal with moments of panic. Distraction, for example, breathing techniques or a way out of the situation.
His experiences have changed his view of mental health, writes Byrne: “I knew that anxiety and depression are very real. But I had no idea how little control you sometimes have over your brain.” The attacks still visibly affect him today, but he speaks openly about them and receives a lot of positive feedback from his audience even after this presentation.
Byrne says that seeking treatment has changed his life for the better: “I can live with the fear and manage it. And I can continue to do what I love.”
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Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
