Liverpool ranked worst place to work for panic attack sufferers

A UK-wide study of 3,000 adults has revealed a detailed picture of how we deal with, perceive and hope to combat panic attacks at work. The study revealed how gender, age and location can impact how a panic attack sufferer is perceived and treated.

It also found that 33% of employees in Liverpool received no support at all from their employers, 22% greater than the national average.

Key findings of the research, conducted by a team coordinated by panic specialist Dr. Michael Sinclair, director of bcalm:

Panic attacks and work

• More than a quarter (27%) of panic attack sufferers say they get no support from their employer, 1 in 10 say their employer could do more to support them.
• Just 8% say their employers are very supportive
• Panic attack sufferers in the north get more support from their employer, although employers in Liverpool are rated as least supportive.
• Belfast employers are most supportive of panic attack sufferers
• 4 in 10 women say a ‘safe space’ at work would help them cope with their condition
• Aberdeen – a city with a high concentration of offshore oil workers – is the worst city in UK for panic inducing commutes
• Air quality could be key to reducing workplace panic attacks

Worst cities for commuting to work

Regional differences in panic attack support.

People working in the north generally feel more supported in their condition than those working in the south.

Cities with most supportive employers

Cities with least supportive employers

Gender and age impact

• Men more likely to suffer weekly panic attacks
• Men more likely to tell strangers about their condition than women
• Women less likely to feel taken seriously after disclosing condition
• Women more likely to be told panic attacks aren’t serious
• Panic attack sufferers aged over 45 least likely to feel well supported by their employer and are far less likely to feel supported at work than 18-24 year olds.

Panic attacks at work – support and help

Women and men generally feel equally supported by their employers when it comes to their panic disorder. Although more than a quarter of all feel that their employer offers no support.

Women are more likely than men overall to have ideas of how their employers can help them. They are six percentage points more likely than men to believe a safe space at work could help.

Panic disorder disclosure

Despite suffering panic attacks less frequently than women, men are more likely to openly disclose their condition outside of family and friends. Men are also more likely to hide their condition, while women are more likely overall to disclose their condition, but are more selective about to whom and under what circumstances.

Overall, woman are more likely to suffer from panic attacks, with 59% reporting that they’ve suffered panic attacks compared to 44% of men. But men are marginally more likely to suffer from panic attacks on a weekly basis.

Almost a quarter of women (24%)  suffer infrequent panic attacks (fewer than once per year) compared to 16% of men.

Perceptions of panic disorder

Women are more likely than men to experience mistrust over their condition, with 14% suspecting people don’t believe they suffer from panic attacks, compared to 11% of men. They are also more likely to be told panic disorder is not a serious condition.

Dr Michael Sinclair, director of bcalm, believes focusing on the environment can help panic attack sufferers overcome their condition.

“Almost 3 in 10 women and 1 in 4 men said that improving airflow at their place of work would help with their panic attacks. This is consistent with two separate, double blind medical studies in two different countries, done by two different investigators which have demonstrated that carbon dioxide pollution filters do help reduce panic attacks.

 

“So many offices have windows that don’t open. In such cases, you’ll need a high power, expensive ventilation system to compensate and many businesses can’t afford this. Employers should encourage their people to get out and about. Even a short break outside can help. Fresh air is so important for physical and mental health.”