What Is a Panic Attack and How Is It Treated?
Of course, some experiences with anxiety are more extreme than others. If you are prone to panic attacks, you may wonder whether deep breathing is enough to overcome your intense feelings of fear and impending doom.
Fortunately, research has proven CBT to be highly effective in treating panic attacks and disorders. In fact, 80% of people who have a panic disorder and undergo Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy are panic-free by the end of their treatment.
If you’re not sure whether your anxiety disorder includes panic attacks, ask yourself whether you’ve experienced any of these symptoms in the past:
- Detachment from reality
- Faintness, dizziness, and/or lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramping
- Hot flashes
- Chills
- Tightness in the throat
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
When these experiences are coupled with crippling fear or a sense of impending doom, the event is defined as a panic attack. Any person who experiences a panic attack and then lives in fear of experiencing another might also have a panic disorder. Our counselors can help you determine whether this is a case so that we can identify the best course of treatment.
Keep in mind that the purpose of CBT is not to identify the cause of your panic attack. Instead, it’s designed to distract and divert the emotion so you can return to a healthier state of mind. Anxiety and panic both have a tendency to build upon themselves. If you can stop the process in its tracks, you’ll have greater success in preventing the symptoms of anxiety from affecting your daily life.