Panic Attacks
What is a panic attack?
Panic attacks come on all of a sudden without warning and can strike at any time. They are loaded with intense fear or anxiety, based on a perceived threat or approaching danger. Along with emotional symptoms they can also include physical symptoms such as chest pain, shaking, sweating, palpitations, chills, stomach ache, headache, hyperventilating, dizziness and even suicidal ideation.
Often those suffering a panic attack report they feel like they are dying as the brain activates the flight fight response. Research suggests panic attacks are the body’s reaction to the fight-flight response, where a flood of chemicals such as adrenaline run through the body activating the physical changes mentioned above.
For those that have experienced a panic attack, I can imagine your heads nodding in agreement now. Perhaps if you have not experienced a panic attack, imagine for no reason at all quite randomly experiencing some of the symptoms mentioned above and feeling you have no control at all. I’m sure you could agree, that would be pretty frightening right?
Panic attacks can also take place during sleep, known as nocturnal panic attacks. They are similar in nature and experienced the same as an attack during the day.
What causes a panic attack?
Sometimes the origin of the attack can be identified. They could result from serious stressors such as jobs or job loss, divorce, losing a loved one, money and more recently during 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic.
However, more often, people experiencing a panic attack cannot identify a cause, reporting the sudden nature of the presentation coming from nowhere, starting at any stage and age of life with or without a history of anxiety.
All that being said, it is more common for people to experience just a couple of panic attacks throughout their life, however, there are a percentage of the population that experience regular panic attacks possibly leading to a panic disorder. Panic disorder is reported to affect 5% of the Australian population.
So, we know why some people experience panic attacks, but what about the others that have no known trigger?
Research suggests some of the following factors can be considered as playing a role in panic attacks when the origin is unknown: Genetics, stress, depression, drug use, phobias and conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Additionally, there are also some risk factors that can come into play such as the use of illicit drugs and alcohol, family history, leading a very stressful life, depression and loss. Previously experienced traumatic events that may have not been processed are also considered a risk factor.
Can I avoid a panic attack if I avoid my known triggers?
It would be fair to say, that most people suffering one or more panic attacks will do anything to avoid experiencing another due to the overwhelming fear of being struck down with another attack at any time. Experts agree that positively advocating that someone avoids their known trigger could actually exacerbate the problem and symptoms. In fact, avoidance could lead not only to exacerbation but also lead to developing new triggers and issues.
The old phrase “you gotta face your fears head-on” may have a small ring to it here.
It is important to note that if panic attacks are left untreated then more serious complications can occur such as the development of phobias and specifically agoraphobia and social phobias, depression, anxiety, panic disorder and the misuse of illicit substances and alcohol.
THE GREAT NEWS: Panic attacks are treatable.
If treatment is sought and conducted through a professional such as a counsellor, psychologist, GP, psychotherapist, psychologist or any other relevant professional suited to your individual symptoms, treatments can be very successful. Professionals can use a variety of tools and techniques suitable for your needs or take a multidisciplinary approach using a variety of modalities to ensure success. In many cases, successful treatment can reduce the intensity and frequency of attacks.
Some of the treatments your treating professional/s may use are psychotherapy/counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy and tasks, hypnotherapy and medication are just a few examples.
I often get asked, “Does Hypnotherapy work for panic attacks?”
Anyone that knows me, would know that I wouldn’t give a short one word or one line answer here. I would start with “yes” and move straight on to “provided you are committed to change”. I would also need to ensure there are no undiagnosed mental health conditions and conduct the usual investigations to ensure the client was suitable for commencing a hypnotherapy programme. Hypnotherapy is not suggested as a replacement for more appropriate medical interventions where required.
The successful use of hypnotherapy as a CAM (Complementary and alternative medicine) approach in clients presenting with anxiety and panic attacks is well documented throughout the presented research available on the Web. Hypnotherapy is a safe non-invasive relaxing modality that gives almost immediate relief from negative active presenting symptoms at the time of treatment for many.
Can I treat the symptoms myself?
The short answer is yes, but must be qualified by; you absolutely must seek professional help first if your panic attacks become frequent, change in any way or are creating other disturbances. In fact, like most illnesses, physical and mental, it is always wise to check in with a health professional first to ensure more serious illness is ruled out.
In saying that, there are many things you can do to reduce the symptoms and frequency of your panic attacks. The following approaches are also useful for when a panic attack first starts to set in.
Avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs. Limiting caffeine is also suggested
Practice stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation and breathing exercises
Ensure you are getting enough exercise
It is recommended to have 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night
Strict compliance with any recommended treatment plan can see you living a much more productive, happier and healthy life.
I provide a free 20 minute phone consultation to ascertain if hypnotherapy is suitable for you.
Book with the form below.
