Panic Attacks and Anxiety

Many people who suffer from anxiety have had the unfortunate experience of having a panic attack. But what exactly is a panic attack? A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time four or more of the following symptoms occur:

1. Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
2. Sweating
3. Trembling or shaking
4. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
5. Feeling of choking
6. Chest pain or discomfort
7. Nausea or abdominal distress
8. Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
9. Chills or heat sensations
10. Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)
11. Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
12. Fear of losing control or going crazy
13. Fear of dying

Many people who experience a panic attack for the first time think they are having a heart attack and go to the emergency room. After doctors check them up they find out that what they were experiencing was intense anxiety. Panic attacks can feel so overwhelming to some people that they end up avoiding doing activities or going to places that they correlate their panic attacks with. For example a person that experiences a panic attack every time they have to do public speaking will end up avoiding public speaking entirely. Or another example can be a teen or a child that experiences a panic attack at school therefore they start calling out sick and missing school. Panic attacks can feel debilitating and make you feel like you cannot enjoy your life to the fullest.

Fortunately anxiety and panic attacks can be completely overcome! Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that has scientific research that shows it can help people completely get rid of their panic attacks. For clients that come to me for anxiety and specifically panic attacks I tell them that they will feel better at about the 4^th session, and should be able to completely get rid of panic attacks at about the 10^th session. That is of course if they apply all the cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and do all the homework assigned to them from counseling. If you are suffering from panic attacks and anxiety find a local therapist that specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and start your journey to healing!

ABOUT ESSENCE OF HEALING COUNSELING:

Roberta Alves is a therapist and counselor at the Essence of Healing Counseling with an office located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. She is a Certified Anxiety Specialist and uses a scientific and evidence based type of therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is proven to be extremely effective in treating anxiety. Roberta is truly passionate about the work she does and loves serving her clients in Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding South Florida areas. If you want to learn the proven techniques to overcome your anxiety, schedule an appointment today.