Panic Disorder Counseling

Are you tired of living in fear?

Do you often find yourself in situations where you feel so anxious and scared, your heart starts racing and palpitating? Just right then and there, out of the blue, without warning. You’re out of breath, lightheaded, and shaking. You try to breathe, but you just end up hyperventilating. It’s like you can’t get enough air. The feeling is so intense; it almost feels like you’re dying or having a stroke. Minutes later, everything starts calming down, and you’re left drained and exhausted.  

This is what a panic attack sounds like. If you get unexpected panic attacks and live in fear of getting another, that’s a panic disorder. 

But you don’t have to be living in constant fear! There is treatment for panic disorder. Our team of mental health professionals at ThoughtWise is ready to help you overcome panic attacks and manage panic disorders through evidence-based solutions. 

What are panic disorders?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM–5 defines panic disorder as ‘recurrent and unexpected episodes of panic attacks.’ Panic disorder symptoms include a constant fear and worrying of another attack and maladaptive changes in behavior after the attack such as avoidance of things that they feel might trigger the attack. 

The panic attacks must not be triggered by any substance such as alcohol and can’t be better explained by a different medical condition for panic disorder.

According to DSM-5,  “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: 

• Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate 
• Sweating, Trembling or shaking. 
• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering 
• Feeling of choking Chest pain or discomfort 
• Nausea or abdominal distress 
• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light‐headed, or faint. 
• Chills or heat sensations 
• Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) 
• Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself) 
• Fear of losing control or “going crazy.” 
• Fear of dying”

It is divided into two categories: expected and unexpected panic attacks. Expected panic attacks are those triggered by an event or a specific fear like the fear of heights. While the unexpected ones are those that have no trigger at all and just happened without a cue.  

The cause of panic disorder is unknown. However, studies show that genetics and significant life transitions such as divorce or leaving for college are linked to the disorder.

Panic Disorder Treatment in Tallahassee with ThoughtWise

The treatment for panic disorder involves the treatment of panic attacks too. To live in constant fear of a trigger and recurring panic attack is not a great way of living. 

The goal of our panic disorder treatment program in ThoughtWise is to reduce the frequency and intensity of the panic attacks by learning better and healthier ways to manage your panic attack symptoms. The treatment involves Cognitive-Behavioral therapy as the first line of treatment. With CBT, we teach you how to effectively respond to the feelings of anxiety and panic when it hits you by changing your negative thought pattern towards the emotions that come rushing through you when you get a panic attack. At ThoughtWise, our goal is to nurture your mind through healthier thinking.

For more information about panic disorders, panic attacks, and agoraphobia, please contact us at 1(888) 876-9784 or email us at info@thought-wise.org, and our staff will be happy to assist you!