Many of those who suffer from panic attacks (fears, anxiety, etc.) have probably asked a logical question: “how and why did this happen?” with me?” Will try together to find the answer to this question, using as an illustration the beginning of the medical history of one of the clients undergoing psychotherapy. The big picture: the man was in a state of prolonged stress and anxiety caused by the death of his beloved wife and the grieving process. I experienced my first panic attack while sitting in a crowded and stuffy subway car. I experienced a second attack some time later, at a party, sitting on the couch surrounded by family and friends. The answer to this sacramental question lies in the area of ​​​​the work of associations of the unconscious. The first is the “pattern” of associations of the unconscious. The human unconscious has “basic templates,” that is, unique and numerous “standards” that it needs to build associations by which it triggers normal reactions of the body. Let me remind you that the man had his first panic attack on the subway. His unconscious “saw” in the man’s behavioral set the components of the standard fear pattern (stationary sitting, lack of movement - frozen, enclosed space of the carriage, stuffiness, many people) a certain danger for the man and triggered the corresponding fear reactions to danger. The man’s second attack occurred at a party . The unconscious associated the same behavioral set of men with the standard fear pattern (sitting motionless on the sofa, thoughtfulness, lack of movement - frozen, closed room, stuffiness, many people). And, as you understand, without further ado, the unconscious associated the template with the basic one and again triggered the body’s corresponding reactions to danger. The second is the “virality” of associations of the unconscious. Having triggered panic attacks (anxiety, etc.) in one situation, the associations “infect” other fears. For example, agrophobia is the fear of open spaces, which appears in the fear of crowds, fear of being in crowded places, or even just outside the home. This man’s panic reactions “spread” to other types of public transport and situations (bus, production meetings, etc.). The third is the mechanism of memory associations of the unconscious. Try to do a small exercise - a memory. Relax, close your eyes and remember the most pleasant and favorite aroma (taste, favorite melody of your childhood (youth). Can you describe the conditions under which you remembered your favorite aroma (melody, taste)? Please note: you experienced pleasant sensations, and, it is quite possible that you even smiled. Now, remember the situation of danger and fear. Can you describe the conditions under which you were so afraid? Notice that the memory of the terrible situation probably made you shudder. the exercise clearly shows you that the mechanism of remembering by the unconscious, both pleasant and terrible sensations, is the same: the unconscious “compares” memories from the position of basic (initial) patterns that were previously associated with sensations of pleasure or fear, and are reinforced by the corresponding reactions launched by him. Fourth, the excessive readiness of the unconscious to trigger the mechanism of panic reactions (anxiety, etc.). Why does our wise and intelligent unconscious suddenly malfunction and begin to work like a broken car alarm, screaming heart-rendingly every time someone -is it passing by? The answer is simple: the unconscious, no matter how smart and wise it is, unfortunately makes mistakes. The unconscious compares the situation with the “basic (initial) patterns” only approximately. That is why, as practice shows, errors creep into his work, and the basic template changes and “breaks.” And then the unconscious begins to “disrupt” its own normal work, associating each».