Understanding
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear and physical symptoms that peak within minutes, often without warning. These overwhelming experiences can significantly impact daily life, leading to fear of future attacks and avoidance of situations where panic might occur.
Understanding
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear and physical symptoms that peak within minutes, often without warning. These overwhelming experiences can significantly impact daily life, leading to fear of future attacks and avoidance of situations where panic might occur.
Understanding
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear and physical symptoms that peak within minutes, often without warning. These overwhelming experiences can significantly impact daily life, leading to fear of future attacks and avoidance of situations where panic might occur.
What does Panic Attacks feel like?
Experiencing a panic attack means enduring sudden, intense waves of terror that seem to come from nowhere, accompanied by overwhelming physical sensations like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and difficulty breathing.
These episodes typically peak within minutes but can leave individuals feeling exhausted and fearful of future attacks. The experience is often described as feeling like you're dying, losing control, or going mad, creating a cycle of anxiety about anxiety itself that can severely restrict daily activities and quality of life.
Common Symptoms
Rapid or pounding heartbeat and chest pain
Shortness of breath or feeling of choking
Sweating, trembling, or shaking uncontrollably
Nausea, dizziness, or feeling faint
Hot or cold flushes throughout the body
Fear of dying, losing control, or going insane
Derealisation or feeling detached from reality
Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
What does Panic Attacks feel like?
Experiencing a panic attack means enduring sudden, intense waves of terror that seem to come from nowhere, accompanied by overwhelming physical sensations like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and difficulty breathing.
These episodes typically peak within minutes but can leave individuals feeling exhausted and fearful of future attacks. The experience is often described as feeling like you're dying, losing control, or going mad, creating a cycle of anxiety about anxiety itself that can severely restrict daily activities and quality of life.
Common Symptoms
Rapid or pounding heartbeat and chest pain
Shortness of breath or feeling of choking
Sweating, trembling, or shaking uncontrollably
Nausea, dizziness, or feeling faint
Hot or cold flushes throughout the body
Fear of dying, losing control, or going insane
Derealisation or feeling detached from reality
Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
What does Panic Attacks feel like?
Experiencing a panic attack means enduring sudden, intense waves of terror that seem to come from nowhere, accompanied by overwhelming physical sensations like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and difficulty breathing.
These episodes typically peak within minutes but can leave individuals feeling exhausted and fearful of future attacks. The experience is often described as feeling like you're dying, losing control, or going mad, creating a cycle of anxiety about anxiety itself that can severely restrict daily activities and quality of life.
Common Symptoms
Rapid or pounding heartbeat and chest pain
Shortness of breath or feeling of choking
Sweating, trembling, or shaking uncontrollably
Nausea, dizziness, or feeling faint
Hot or cold flushes throughout the body
Fear of dying, losing control, or going insane
Derealisation or feeling detached from reality
Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
History of Panic Attacks
From cardiac theories to modern understanding of anxiety disorders
1871
American physician Jacob Mendez Da Costa described "irritable heart syndrome" in Civil War soldiers, noting symptoms now recognised as panic attacks but attributed to cardiac dysfunction.
1959
Donald Klein distinguished panic attacks from general anxiety, recognising them as distinct episodes with specific symptoms, laying groundwork for modern panic disorder diagnosis.
1980
Panic disorder was first included in the DSM-III as a separate anxiety condition, acknowledging panic attacks as legitimate psychiatric symptoms rather than purely physical ailments.
Present
Panic attacks are understood to affect 11% of adults annually, with effective treatments including CBT and medication helping millions manage symptoms successfully.
History of Panic Attacks
From cardiac theories to modern understanding of anxiety disorders
1871
American physician Jacob Mendez Da Costa described "irritable heart syndrome" in Civil War soldiers, noting symptoms now recognised as panic attacks but attributed to cardiac dysfunction.
1959
Donald Klein distinguished panic attacks from general anxiety, recognising them as distinct episodes with specific symptoms, laying groundwork for modern panic disorder diagnosis.
1980
Panic disorder was first included in the DSM-III as a separate anxiety condition, acknowledging panic attacks as legitimate psychiatric symptoms rather than purely physical ailments.
Present
Panic attacks are understood to affect 11% of adults annually, with effective treatments including CBT and medication helping millions manage symptoms successfully.
History of Panic Attacks
From cardiac theories to modern understanding of anxiety disorders
1871
American physician Jacob Mendez Da Costa described "irritable heart syndrome" in Civil War soldiers, noting symptoms now recognised as panic attacks but attributed to cardiac dysfunction.
1959
Donald Klein distinguished panic attacks from general anxiety, recognising them as distinct episodes with specific symptoms, laying groundwork for modern panic disorder diagnosis.
1980
Panic disorder was first included in the DSM-III as a separate anxiety condition, acknowledging panic attacks as legitimate psychiatric symptoms rather than purely physical ailments.
Present
Panic attacks are understood to affect 11% of adults annually, with effective treatments including CBT and medication helping millions manage symptoms successfully.
Take our free self-test
Take our free self-test
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Instructions
Answer the questions based on the last few weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test explores whether therapy could be helpful for you right now. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
Instructions
Answer the questions based on the last few weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test explores whether therapy could be helpful for you right now. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
Instructions
Answer the questions based on the last few weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test explores whether therapy could be helpful for you right now. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
How therapy can help
Therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is highly effective for panic attacks by helping individuals understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Therapists teach breathing techniques, grounding exercises, and cognitive restructuring to challenge catastrophic thoughts during attacks.
Exposure therapy may gradually help people face feared situations, whilst panic-focused CBT addresses the fear of fear itself, breaking the cycle of anticipatory anxiety that often maintains the condition.
Benefits of Therapy
Reduced frequency and intensity of panic episodes
Improved ability to manage symptoms when they occur
Decreased anticipatory anxiety and fear of attacks
Enhanced understanding of panic attack triggers
Development of effective coping strategies and techniques
Reduced avoidance behaviours and increased confidence
Better quality of life and daily functioning
Prevention of panic disorder development or progression
Frequently Asked Questions
Addressing common concerns about panic attacks and recovery
Are panic attacks dangerous or can they cause a heart attack?
How long do panic attacks typically last?
Can panic attacks be prevented or only managed once they start?
Will I need medication to recover from panic attacks?
How therapy can help
Therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is highly effective for panic attacks by helping individuals understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Therapists teach breathing techniques, grounding exercises, and cognitive restructuring to challenge catastrophic thoughts during attacks.
Exposure therapy may gradually help people face feared situations, whilst panic-focused CBT addresses the fear of fear itself, breaking the cycle of anticipatory anxiety that often maintains the condition.
Benefits of Therapy
Reduced frequency and intensity of panic episodes
Improved ability to manage symptoms when they occur
Decreased anticipatory anxiety and fear of attacks
Enhanced understanding of panic attack triggers
Development of effective coping strategies and techniques
Reduced avoidance behaviours and increased confidence
Better quality of life and daily functioning
Prevention of panic disorder development or progression
Frequently Asked Questions
Addressing common concerns about panic attacks and recovery
Are panic attacks dangerous or can they cause a heart attack?
How long do panic attacks typically last?
Can panic attacks be prevented or only managed once they start?
Will I need medication to recover from panic attacks?
How therapy can help
Therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is highly effective for panic attacks by helping individuals understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Therapists teach breathing techniques, grounding exercises, and cognitive restructuring to challenge catastrophic thoughts during attacks.
Exposure therapy may gradually help people face feared situations, whilst panic-focused CBT addresses the fear of fear itself, breaking the cycle of anticipatory anxiety that often maintains the condition.
Benefits of Therapy
Reduced frequency and intensity of panic episodes
Improved ability to manage symptoms when they occur
Decreased anticipatory anxiety and fear of attacks
Enhanced understanding of panic attack triggers
Development of effective coping strategies and techniques
Reduced avoidance behaviours and increased confidence
Better quality of life and daily functioning
Prevention of panic disorder development or progression
Frequently Asked Questions
Addressing common concerns about panic attacks and recovery
Are panic attacks dangerous or can they cause a heart attack?
How long do panic attacks typically last?
Can panic attacks be prevented or only managed once they start?
Will I need medication to recover from panic attacks?
