Do you or someone you know struggle with a panic disorder?

Panic disorders can bring on episodes or attacks that strike whenever you are triggered.

Perhaps you begin to feel your chest tighten, your breathing rate increase, or you begin to sweat. Panic attacks can seem debilitating and may prevent you from leading a normal life.

Thankfully, there are ways that counseling can provide therapy for panic attacks.

1. Become Educated in Treating Panic Attacks.

Your counselor can help educate you about panic and anxiety anxiety disorders and how they affect you emotionally and physically in the following ways:

• Discuss how panic disorders develop.

• Help you understand why you have symptoms.

• Provide publications and resources on the subject.

• Suggest local support groups in your area.

Another resource, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), also has information available on its website, as well as a database of support groups throughout the United States.

2. Use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Attacks

The Mayo Clinic defines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a technique that, “helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.”

It is a therapeutic process undertaken with a trained counselor who can help you find solutions to your problems. For instance, you can talk with your therapist about a time you experienced a panic attack, say, when you were in an open area (agoraphobia). You can work with your therapist to process those emotions and learn tools to combat your agoraphobia the next time you feel a panic attack.

3. Use Hypnotherapy for Panic Attacks

Another counseling technique that can help treat panic attacks is the use of hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy, when used in a treatment setting, is different than the hypnosis used in show business or as a party trick. It is not meant to control an individual. Hypnotherapy is used to help you create focus and to feel more calm and relaxed. It can also help you become more open to suggestions that can help address your panic attacks.

4. Use Calming Techniques as Therapy for Panic Attacks

Your counselor can work with you to practice calming techniques that are therapeutically beneficial for panic attacks. For instance:

• Breathing exercises to help calm yourself when you feel an attack coming on.

• Meditation incorporated as part of your therapy for panic attacks.

• Hypnotherapy employed in sessions to create a sense of calm.

• Ways to self-soothe your anxiety without having to resort to rituals like hand washing, that can create more stress.

5. Intentionally Induce Panic as Part of Therapy

While participating in a session, you and your counselor can carefully and intentionally create a situation that induces a panic attack. As part of your therapy, this can help you and your therapist work through a situation in a controlled setting, much like a science experiment. You and your therapist can then analyze the results together.

6. Practice Exposure Therapy for Panic Attacks.

You can also practice exposure therapy scenarios with your therapist and process the results of the exposure. For example, the Veterans Administration has found that exposure therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD. Some ideas include:

• Spending time in an enclosed or wide open space.

• Processing feelings that you are sick or are going to die.

• Exposing yourself to certain sounds, smells, or sensations.

• Revisiting certain traumatic memories.

An experienced therapist can even combine these methods with other techniques to suit your unique situation. By working with a qualified therapist or counselor, you can not only become educated as to why you have panic attacks, but also find solutions together that can positively benefit therapy for panic attacks. Working hand-in-hand, you can find relief from your symptoms and live a fuller life.

Questions, Concerns, Thoughts?

I invite you to call me for a free 15 – minute phone consultation to discuss your specific needs and to answer any questions you have about anxiety, treatment and my practice. Please visit my website @ www.theanxietydocseattle.com or call me directly @ (206) 745-4933.

Read more about Panic Disorder Treatment.