Panic attacks refer to a collection of symptoms that arise when an individual experiences intense anxiety. Those with an anxiety disorder called panic disorder frequently encounter panic attacks, often without any evident cause.
During a panic attack, you may experience psychological symptoms such as an overwhelming sense of fear, apprehension, and anxiety.
You might also experience physical symptoms, including:
- Nausea
- Irregular heartbeat sensation (palpitations)
- Shaking
- Perspiration
- Chest discomfort
- Hot flashes
- Shortness of breath or a choking feeling
- Numbness or a pins and needles sensation
- Dread or fear of death
- Tingling in your fingers
- Terror
Some people experience ‘depersonalization’ during a panic attack, which involves feeling completely disconnected from the situation, your body, and your surroundings. The symptoms of a panic attack can sometimes be so severe that you may feel like you are having a heart attack. The unpleasant physical symptoms of a panic attack can cause individuals prone to panic attacks to become highly fearful in anticipation of the next attack, creating a vicious cycle of anticipatory anxiety and worsening the panic.
Panic attacks usually last between 5 and 20 minutes. The severity and frequency of panic attacks differ among individuals, with some experiencing panic attacks once or twice a month, while others have them several times a week.
If you feel that the above description applies to you, counselling can assist you in understanding the causes and occurrences of panic attacks and teach you effective strategies to overcome them.
Which therapeutic approaches might be beneficial?
- Cognitive Behavioral Counselling (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Counselling (ACT)
The highly skilled psychologists at Hypoworry Online Counselling are well equipped to support individuals dealing with panic attacks.
