Panic attacks are sudden, intense bursts of fear, with associated psychological and physical symptoms. While every person who experiences panic attacks will experience them differently, there are many symptoms that are common.
Physical symptoms may include:
- Racing or pounding heart
- Sweating
- Feeling unusually hot or cold
- Feeling like it’s hard to breathe
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
Psychological symptoms may include:
- Feelings and worries about “going crazy,” or “losing control”
- Feelings and worries about passing out
- Fears of dying or having a heart attack
- Feelings that are hard to describe, like feeling unreal or disconnected
Panic attacks can occur on their own, or can occur as part of other psychological issues, such as phobias, anxiety, or OCD.
Panic attacks, as the name suggests, are one of the most frightening experiences a person can have. In the face of such intense feelings, it’s common to have urges to get away from the situation and to go somewhere that feels safe. It is also common to begin to have anxiety about the symptoms themselves.
One of the most difficult consequences of panic attacks are strong urges to avoid the situations in which panic attacks have happened. People often change their lives to try and avoid having another panic attack. So people wind up avoiding things like certain stores, certain streets, and certain activities, and their lives get more and more restricted.
The sensations, feelings, and thoughts that accompany panic attacks can also become a source of fear. For example, if panic attacks are associated with an increase in heart rate, any increase in heart rate, even from normal activities such as climbing stairs, may prompt anxiety.
While panic attacks are extremely intense and scary, there is good news. They are a highly treatable psychological issue, and many people have overcome periods of panic and returned to full, unrestricted lives.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a highly effective treatment for panic attacks. Exposure therapy involves helping people to gradually, but systematically, confront the situations, places, sensations, feelings, or thoughts that lead to panic, while at the same time not getting away from or controlling them. Over time, the brain learns that these situations and experiences are not actually dangerous, and the panic response naturally lessens. At the same time, people learn that they are capable of handling anxiety and panic if they do happen, and so they feel more confident in approaching anxiety provoking situations.
I’m Aaron Hudyma, Ph.D., licensed psychologist. I provide online therapy to adults in Colorado who are struggling with panic attacks and anxiety.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing panic attacks, I can help. Get started today by giving me a call or email. We’ll set up a free, 20 minute consultation so we can see if we are a good fit and I can answer any questions you may have. I look forward to speaking with you.
-Aaron Hudyma, Ph.D.
telephone: 303.834.7405
email: contact@hudymapsychology.com