PANIC DISORDERS
If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you know how terrifying and paralysing they can be. The fear of having a panic attack can significantly affect your quality of life— and can trigger more panic attacks. Although panic attacks aren’t life-threatening, when they occur, you might think you’re losing control, having a heart attack, or even be dying. The good news is, therapy can help.
Many people have just one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes, and the problem goes away; but if you’ve had recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a condition called Panic Disorder. Panic Disorder is different from the normal fear and anxiety reactions to stressful events. Panic disorder is a serious condition that can strike without warning. It’s usually a sign that there are other unconscious feelings that need to be faced and processed.
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PANIC ATTACK SYMPTOMS
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Intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, during which time the following may occur:
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Palpitations are accelerated heart rate
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Sweating, trembling or shaking
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Shortness of breath or sensations of smothering or choking
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Chest pain or discomfort
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Nausea or abdominal distress
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Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, unsteady, or faint
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Chills or heat sensations
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Numbness or tingling sensations
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Feelings of unreality
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Feeling detached from oneself
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Fear of losing control or going crazy
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Fear of dying
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HOW I WORK WITH PANIC DISORDER
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When you are experiencing something as intense and scary as Panic Disorder, it’s easy to forget that there are deeper factors at hand that need to be addressed. Panic attacks are a symptom of other issues that require exploration and attention. To help you overcome Panic Disorder we will take a two-fold approach, attacking both the panic symptoms themselves as well as the underlying causes.
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We will focus on practical strategies to regulate your anxiety and help curb your panic attacks. At the same time, we will be exploring deep, unconscious feelings and conflicts that need to be faced in order to deal with the underlying causes that are fuelling your panic attacks.
Panic Disorder becomes a vicious cycle in which fear of having panic attacks causes more panic attacks. By attacking the disorder on both the level of the symptoms and the root causes, we can break the feedback loop and help restore a sense of peace in your life.
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"Braveness is mastery of panic, not absence of anxiety".