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Panic attacks are scary – especially if this is your first time experiencing one or you are genuinely in a complicated situation that requires you to keep calm while you are not in control of your emotions or physical sensations. Luckily, it is possible to overcome this condition and prevent it from impacting your personal and professional life in a negative way.
What does a panic attack feel like? Learn to recognize the signs of a panic attack to know exactly what is going on with you and arrange a mental health consultation:
A therapist needs to take the following steps to confirm the individual in front of them is suffering from panic attack disorder:
Carry out a physical exam – it is essential to rule out physical illnesses that may result in similar physical and mental manifestations.
Learn about the medical history of the patient, the medications they have been taking, and their relationship with alcohol and drugs – it is possible that panic attacks are the unfortunate side effect of certain legal and illegal substances.
Assess the symptoms of a panic attack and learn more about their effect on a patient’s life to figure out what kind of treatment is preferable.
This subtype describes a predictable panic attack - for example, an individual may know that they will have a panic attack when they are stuck in an elevator due to their claustrophobia.
These panic attacks are spontaneous and occur without any kind of warning sign for the person or anyone around them.
Panic attacks at night are rare but it is possible for someone to wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious and scared.
This therapy modality is among the most effective treatments for panic attack disorder - under the guidance of a therapist, you explore the thinking and behavioral patterns that led to
A psychiatrist will need to thoroughly evaluate you before prescribing panic attack medication. Most people, however, are able to alleviate their symptoms
Make relaxation techniques a part of your daily routine after you learn to manage stress and anxiety with
What causes panic attacks? If you have to deal with major stress created by job loss, divorce, or the death of a loved one, you can easily experience a panic attack, which is a frightening and unexpected event, no matter how distraught you already are. People who survived a traumatic event like abuse or a car accident may also go through a panic attack even after months and years of being safe, in case they are reminded about their disturbing experiences.
Note that you may be more prone to panic attacks if your closest relatives have been struggling with the same problem or you have co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or agoraphobia, that take a toll on your psyche.
The duration of treatment for panic attacks varies from patient to patient – it all depends on the severity and longevity of the symptoms as well as the patient’s general state of health since some people respond much better to the combination of psychotherapy and medication management. Usually, a patient is advised to attend therapy regularly for two or three months to reduce the frequency of panic attacks, learn to avoid triggers, and master healthy coping mechanisms they can implement next time they feel on the verge of panicking.
It is up to you to decide when to rely on professional assistance to cope with panic attacks – if it only happened once and your mental well-being does not concern you in any other way, there may be no need to seek help. However, if a panic attack scared you, you feel stressed and anxious, and you are worried about the next episode of severe anxiety, make sure you speak to a mental health specialist. You should also consult with a therapist if you suspect you may have a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) – it is hard to tell the difference between panic vs anxiety attack, so mental health intervention and treatment are highly recommended.
What causes panic attacks? If you have to deal with major stress created by job loss, divorce, or the death of a loved one, you can easily experience a panic attack, which is a frightening and unexpected event, no matter how distraught you already are. People who survived a traumatic event like abuse or a car accident may also go through a panic attack even after months and years of being safe, in case they are reminded about their disturbing experiences.
Note that you may be more prone to panic attacks if your closest relatives have been struggling with the same problem or you have co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or agoraphobia, that take a toll on your psyche.
The duration of treatment for panic attacks varies from patient to patient – it all depends on the severity and longevity of the symptoms as well as the patient’s general state of health since some people respond much better to the combination of psychotherapy and medication management. Usually, a patient is advised to attend therapy regularly for two or three months to reduce the frequency of panic attacks, learn to avoid triggers, and master healthy coping mechanisms they can implement next time they feel on the verge of panicking.
It is up to you to decide when to rely on professional assistance to cope with panic attacks – if it only happened once and your mental well-being does not concern you in any other way, there may be no need to seek help. However, if a panic attack scared you, you feel stressed and anxious, and you are worried about the next episode of severe anxiety, make sure you speak to a mental health specialist. You should also consult with a therapist if you suspect you may have a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) – it is hard to tell the difference between panic vs anxiety attack, so mental health intervention and treatment are highly recommended.
Panic attacks often co-occur with other mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression, and our specialists know how to provide you with the highest standard of care to ensure all the issues are targeted simultaneously.
Instead of recovering in a hostile atmosphere that hampers your emotional well-being, you get to heal in a safe environment, feel heard and validated, and tackle poor health behaviors at your own pace.
Meeting like-minded individuals who know firsthand what you are going through can be a very positive experience - group therapy is a valuable tool of self-exploration and personal growth.
We blend evidence-based care with unconventional therapeutic approaches such as art therapy and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to replenish the energy of every patient as they regain their confidence and autonomy.
Unlike other anxiety disorders, this one is very sudden and intense – there is a surge of fear, shortness of breath, sweating, shaking, and a feeling that you are losing control over your movements and words.
While we will pick therapy modalities only after learning more about you and your symptoms, most of our patients thrive in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions – challenge your cognitive distortions and feel more resilient as you let go of negativity in your mind.
Our facility accepts most insurance plans to ensure our clients can afford treatment at our clinic. Learn more about your insurance options on our Insurance Verification page.
Whether you have been experiencing panic attacks for quite some time or you only had one panic attack but it was the result of cumulative stress or depression you would like to overcome, do not hesitate to seek professional guidance and support. Our team of dedicated professionals is prepared to help you handle your psychological challenges in a comforting and consoling environment.
Get in touch with Red Rock Behavioral Health by calling (949) 704-6793 or visiting our contact page – you can embark on a mental wellness journey to change your life for the better.
