Panic Attacks

Panic attacks can be extremely debilitating and can in some cases lead to agoraphobia. A panic attack is usually where a person experiences intense physical symptoms such as (but not limited to) palpitations, dizziness, trembling, or shaking, breathlessness. The person often fears that they might die or suffocate or that they might go crazy. This is understandably extremely terrifying and traumatic for the person suffering the panic attack. Agoraphobia can develop as the person understandably will often avoid places where a panic attack has happened; and therefore the place becomes associated with having a Panic Attack and feeling awful. Often the outside world begins to feel more and more threatening until the person becomes afraid to leave what is perceived as a 'safe' environment, ie, their home. A person may be too frightened to leave their own surroundings for fear of having a panic attack. Panic attacks can be unexpected or they can occur in situations where a person feels anxious. They are extremely debilitating and can have a huge impact on peoples lives. However; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence based and effective treatment for panic attacks; and CBT treatment can help sufferers to begin to live their lives free of panic attacks.