If you have experienced a panic attack, chances are it was a frightening experience.

You may have felt like you were losing control, having a heart attack, going to pass out, or even die. Many people are surprised by how intense panic attacks can feel and how powerful the physical symptoms can be.

A panic attack occurs when a person experiences an intense surge of fear that triggers severe physical reactions, even when there is no actual danger or obvious cause.

Most people will experience one or two panic attacks at some point in their lives. For many, the experience passes and does not return. However, if you begin experiencing recurrent or unexpected panic attacks, it is common to become anxious about the possibility of having another one.

Often, people find themselves becoming increasingly focused on their physical symptoms, avoiding certain situations, or changing the way they live in an effort to prevent another panic attack from occurring.

Panic attacks are not life-threatening, but they can have a significant impact on your quality of life.

Common symptoms include:

Shortness of breath

Increased heart rate

A sense of impending doom

Shaking or trembling

Sweating

Tightness in the throat or chest

Nausea

Hot flushes

Chills

Dizziness

Tingling sensations

Headaches

Abdominal cramps

Feelings of unreality or detachment

Because these symptoms can feel so intense, many people begin to fear the symptoms themselves, which can create an ongoing cycle of anxiety and panic.

If you are experiencing panic attacks that are affecting your quality of life, I encourage you to contact me for an appointment.

Together, we can explore what may be contributing to the panic. Sometimes panic attacks seem to occur out of the blue. Other times, they may be linked to anxiety, stress, trauma, or other underlying difficulties.

My aim is not only to help you manage the panic symptoms themselves, but also to understand what is keeping the cycle going and help you regain confidence in your ability to cope when anxiety shows up.

Treatment for Panic Disorder

One of the most effective treatments for panic disorder is interoceptive exposure.

This involves gradually and safely exposing yourself to the physical sensations associated with panic so that your body can learn that these sensations, while uncomfortable, are not dangerous.

When working with me, interoceptive exposure is used alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Together, these approaches can help you better understand your anxiety, change the way you respond to panic symptoms, and reduce the impact panic has on your life.

The goal is not to eliminate every anxious feeling, but to help you feel less controlled by panic and more able to keep doing the things that matter to you.