Panic attacks are very common – about 10% of people will experience one at some point in their life. Each panic attack tends to start without any or much warning, and usually causes a great deal of fear or discomfort. Symptoms can include a pounding heart, sweating, trembling or shaking, dry mouth, difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, a feeling of losing control, going mad, fainting or dying, and/or numbness or tingling sensations
Panic attacks can last several minutes, and it may take some time before all of the anxiety symptoms experienced resolve. Panic attacks can often feel particularly frightening because of their unpredictable nature, and the severity of the anxiety symptoms and fears associated with the attack. Panic disorder is characterised by frequent, sudden and repeated panic attacks.
Like most anxiety disorders, Panic disorder is successfully treated using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). NICE recommended treatments are as follows:
- Guided self help (based on CBT principles)
- CBT, either individual or group.
If you think that you might be experiencing panic attacks or panic disorder and would like an assessment and/or therapy from a clinical psychologist or a CBT therapist, Changing Minds can offer you this from locations throughout Hertfordshire and North West London, including Harrow, Watford, Borehamwood and Berkhamsted. We are also able to offer online therapy via Skype.
