What Is It?
Panic Attacks


Panic attacks tend to follow a similar pattern and the CBT way of working with one can be helpful for understanding what happens. Something begins to trigger the sympathetic nervous system which is used for dealing with threats, we can be aware of this trigger or sometimes we may not be aware. Following this, we notice what is physically happening with our bodies. That may be noticing a pounding heart, dizziness, shaking, sweating etc.
Panic attacks tend to follow a similar pattern and the CBT way of working with one can be helpful for understanding what happens. Something begins to trigger the sympathetic nervous system which is used for dealing with threats, we can be aware of this trigger or sometimes we may not be aware. Following this, we notice what is physically happening with our bodies. That may be noticing a pounding heart, dizziness, shaking, sweating etc.

This happens in a feedback loop and the symptoms usually peak at about 10 minutes into a panic attack. It’s very important to learn to recognize a panic attack and learn to stop its progression. If left untreated a secondary disorder can develop, namely the fear of a possible panic attack.

Symptoms
RAPID HEARTBEAT RESULTING IN THE FEAR OF AN IMPENDING HEART ATTACK. THE FEELINGS ARE INTENSE AND FRIGHTENING.
DEPERSONALIZATION (FEELING LIKE YOU’RE OUTSIDE YOUR BODY)
FEELING OF DOOM, OR THE FEELING AS THOUGH YOU’RE ABOUT TO DIE
EXCESSIVE SWEATING OR HOT/COLD FLUSHES
TROUBLE BREATHING OR LIGHT-HEADEDNESS OR DIZZINESS
SEVERE ANXIETY, ESPECIALLY HEALTH ANXIETY
TINGLING SENSATIONS, NUMBNESS, OR WEAKNESS IN THE BODY
CHEST PAIN OR STOMACH PAIN, POSSIBLY WITH DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS AND/OR DISCOMFORT.
FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS OR FEELING LIKE YOU’RE NO LONGER YOURSELF
Personal Stories
Getting Help
PSYCHOEDUCATION AROUND PANIC ATTACKS AS WELL AS UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERLYING TRIGGERS THAT START THEM ARE CRUCIAL STEPS IN TERMS OF FIGHTING OFF THESE DEBILITATING AND DISORIENTATING EXPERIENCES. YOUR GOOD THERAPIST WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU FIGHT THESE ATTACKS
KNOWING HOW YOUR OWN PANIC ATTACKS FEEL, AS WELL AS UNDERSTANDING THINGS LIKE THAT YOU WON’T FAINT DURING A PANIC ATTACK HELP YOU TO STAY GROUNDED. NOT MAKING THE MISINTERPRETATION IS HUGE IN NOT GETTING OVERWHELMED BY THE ATTACK.