Why does my body stay in shock and take so long to settle down if I know I'm having a panic attack ?

A panic attack is not only in the mind but in the body as well. When you're having one, your body reacts as if it finds itself in a life or death situation. It's the so-called "fight or flight" response. So, while you recognise you're having a panic attack and you're not actually in danger, it takes a while for your body to recover after its survival instincts kicked it. What you most typically experience in situations like this one is an excess of adrenaline in your bloodstream that activates your muscles and heightens your senses. This is why it takes a while to get your body to settle down. You might try burning out energy to lower the adrenaline. Sometimes it works. And then control your breath to reduce your heart rate!

Your mind registers what your feeling, but it doesn't stop it from feeling it. If you see a bear and it's running towards you, you know you're afraid. It doesn't mean you won't run, you will. Panic attacks are your body's reaction to being afraid. You know you're scared but that won't stop you from it.

Personally when I have panic attacks it also takes a long time to settle down afterwards, and I'm not sure exactly what chemically causes it but I think that because my body went into panic! alert! danger! run! mode that it takes a while to gear down again because if you get really afraid and your body gets convinced that something's about to really hurt or scare you, it won't just gear down because we logically know that going to the super market isn't all that dangerous. I kinda think of it like if a bee flies into my face and I freak out because I'm terrified of bees, I won't stop being alert and worrying if it's still after me or if there are others nearby until I've gotten far away from the area.

There are many types of panic attacks and many different ways people deal with them. Maybe in your case it takes longer than others but just as long as you calm down at the end of it cause thats the important part.

There's a difference between knowing it's a panic attack and explaining it to the irrational part of the brain that is having the panic attack.

I can relate to panic attacks. I have had many. Sometimes it takes longer if you are staying tensed up and not utilizing your breathing. Breathing techniques have worked wonders. Long deep breaths have worked really well and with each deep breath, you will start to feel a little bit of relief. If you are doing shallow short breaths, the panic attack usually lasts a lot longer. By concentrating on your breathing, you are also bringing yourself into the moment and not focusing as much on the panic that is happening in your body.

Because it is something unusual for the body and it causes a lot of stress. Thus, the brain and the body are first uncapable to process it and the circumstances are different than it usually it. It is important that you take your time and be patient with yourself. Do not think that it is necessary to be instantly fit again. Your body needs to rest and calm down because it is really stressful for the body to go through a panic attack. Please don't think that is is something uncommon. Allow yourself and the natural body to rest. if its needed.