Panic Attacks
Psychotherapy is one of the recognised ways to deal with the problems of panic attacks.
If you are feeling panicky right now, try these steps - they may help.
Need help now? Take the first step to doing something - contact me right now for a free consultation.
So what is panic, and why does it feel so hard to deal with?
Symptoms of panic
We are all familiar with what it is like to experience a panic attack – sweaty palms, a racing heart, the jitters, and out of control thoughts. When you feel these things happen it can feel impossible to calm yourself down; you can feel out of control and very much alone in what is happening for you. All our worst fears can seem to be on the verge of coming true, and we don't know how to stop it.
A natural process gone wrong
One of the truly frustrating things about panic is that it is a natural biological process that is, at the right time, useful to us. These reactions, which are part of the fear process we know as the “fight / flight / freeze response", can help us avoid dangers and escape from harmful situations. However, when these reactions get triggered at the wrong times they can make life hard for us.
To add to the problem, when we try to deal with these symptoms we are can be so stressed that we often do it in harmful ways. We can isolate ourselves, drink too much, or pay out on other people. This only makes the problem worse.
Getting help for panic attacks
The key to treatment of panic attacks is in two parts.
Firstly, we need to try to act straight away to reduce the symptoms to a manageable level. We can do this by using a few techniques to start to get the panic under control. I use a variety of techniques including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) where appropriate to thoroughly understand what is making you panic and how it affecting you
Secondly, when we have taken the edge off the symptoms we can try to understand what triggers them, and to try to reduce the times that they occur. While this is happening, we also work to reduce the symptoms even further. I use proven techniques that have been helpful for many other people.
Psychotherapy can offer real relief to those who suffer from panic, and I also follow through to help you with the underlying issues as well.
If you are feeling panicky right now, try these steps - they may help.
For new clients the first session is at no cost or obligation. Check out the details here. I see clients in Richmond - more location details here.
