Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are truly terrifying

Those who suffer with panic attacks can become paralysed with fear; an overwhelming set of physical and emotional symptoms are triggered which can leave the individual struggling to breathe or feeling that they are having a heart attack.

Carrying on with normal tasks, such as driving or having a conversation are almost impossible.

Panic attacks do not always happen as a result of something scary happening around you – they can come about for seemingly no reason. You can be sitting in a meeting, washing up or watching TV and all of a sudden be overwhelmed with a strong sense of panic and fear.

Panic attack symptoms

• Sense of impending doom or danger
• Fear of loss of control or death
• Rapid, pounding heart rate
• Sweating, trembling and shaking
• Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
• Chills or hot flushes
• Nausea or stomach cramps
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Dizziness, light-headedness or faintness
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• Feeling detached from reality

Cycle of a panic attack

• Panic attacks can start suddenly, often with no warning they are coming or without an obvious external factor triggering the attack.
• The last, on average, 30 minutes from start to finish.
• Symptoms peak around 10 minutes into the attack
• Following the panic attack, the individual can feel exhausted and drained
• Extreme fear of future panic attacks is very common

Fear of another panic attack

It is very common to develop an immense fear of having another panic attack

This can make things even worse and very often needs to be treated alongside the panic attacks themselves.

Treating panic attacks

Talking therapies, such as counselling, psychotherapy and CBT can all be very effective at helping treat anxiety and panic attacks. Working with a therapist, you can gain an understanding of the root causes for the panic attacks as well as learn invaluable coping mechanisms for managing them if and when they come along.

Medications, such as antidepressants can also be useful in helping prevent future panic attacks and lessening the symptoms associated with anxiety.

We believe that the first step is to get a thorough, detailed assessment from a clinician with experience in dealing with anxiety disorders. Often panic attacks are accompanied with other mental health conditions such as OCD or depression, which can affect which treatment is right for you.