Ever have a moment when you were overcome with fear? A time when you were physically sweating, hyperventilating or your heart was racing so fast you thought you were going to die? Maybe you were caught in a large crowd at a concert trying to exit the building and you felt stuck. Or perhaps you were on one of Houston’s amazing freeways, stuck in unending traffic for what seemed like hours when you started to panic? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might have been having a panic attack.
What are panic attacks?
The DSM-5, (what people in the mental health field use to diagnose disorders and gives us all a framework to communicate about and treat those disorders) describes a panic attack as an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time several additional symptoms may occur. So what are those symptoms? Well, they can include any of the following:
- Heart palpitations
- Pounding heart
- Accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of being smothered
- Feeling of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy
- Chills or feeling hot
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of dying
That’s a lot of stuff, and it is important to know that you are not alone. Panic attacks can strike us at anytime. They are terrifying, and often people don’t understand what is going on. Here are a few things that people we’ve worked with have been told by those that care about him:
- Get over it
- Nothing is wrong, why are you crying?
- It’s all in your head
- Just think positive
- You’re blowing things out of proportion
Panic attacks can feel really scary. People on the outside can’t see what’s happening on the inside. Even though there might not be anything “bad” or “scary” happening around you, your body is reacting as if it just ran into 5 hungry tigers. At Houston Center for Valued Living, we understand panic attacks and how debilitating they can be. Our therapists have over a decade of experience working with anxiety, and we not only understand panic, we understand you! You are not crazy and you are not alone, we are here to help.
What causes panic attacks?
Some people have one panic attack and never experience another again. Others get panic every once in awhile. Some people experience panic attacks once a day or even multiple times a day. The frequency of panic attacks varies from person to person along with the intensity.
They can come on out of the blue
Sometimes panic attacks come on completely out of the blue in times that you wouldn’t expect to be nervous or anxious. If you should find yourself at Reliant Arena at the close of a Rodeo evening or even at the Alley Theater at the close of a show, caught in a large tight crowd, the air begins to feel thick and you feel trapped. Your mind and body may began to shout (well the best way they know how) to “Get out!!”, that you are stuck and you may die!! HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PANIC ATTACK!!!
They can happen when you’re already anxious
However, other times panic attacks show up in situations where you are already feeling lots of anxiety like before a big presentation for work or school or when you’re feeling anxious about going to a party where you don’t know anyone. Either way, panic attacks are no fun.
Are Panic Attacks Taking Over Your Life?
Because panic attacks are so scary, it is only natural that many people try to figure out how to stop having panic attacks. You know, because none of us are waking up in the morning and jumping out of bed wanting to have a panic attack. Actually, what we tend to do is spend a lot of time, effort and energy avoiding or trying not to have a panic attack. We end up so fearful of panic that we panic. Panic is tricky, it can make us feel like we are going to die or that something is seriously wrong with you. Stay strong and know that there is nothing, that’s right, n-o-t-h-i-n-g wrong with you. We can help you.
Avoiding
It’s normal if you worry a lot about having another panic attack and try to prevent that from happening. Below, are some avoidance strategies that we frequently hear about from clients:
- They avoid going places that make them feel anxious or uncomfortable
- They avoid places or situations where they’ve had panic attacks before
- People tend to take things with them to help them feel better or keep them occupied when they go out. Here are some examples: phone, wallet, purse, cash, credit card(s), something to drink, something to read (just incase their phone quits working) and sometimes they even take a person.
- Some people who have panic attacks stop any activity that may cause their heart to race or causes them to get hot or sweat fearing that it will bring on a panic attacks
Of course, makes sense, right? Why would anyone ever want to experience another panic attack? There is one sticky, sticky problem….. slowly over time the panic grows and soon it is controlling your life. It will tell you where to go, where not to go and what your life or rather it’s life will look like. And the worst and I mean absolute worst is that the bigger it gets the more you avoid and try to feel safe, the less safe you are. It is the nightmare that doesn’t end.
If you worry frequently about having another panic attack – if you are avoiding places that you want to go – if you’re life is being pushed around by your panic attacks then you could benefit from therapy for panic attacks.
How are panic attacks treated?
While panic attacks can lead to us leading a compromised version of our lives, we have some great news, there is hope! There is treatment for panic that works!
At Houston Center for Valued Living, our caring and experienced therapists use scientifically supported treatments for panic attacks. We will walk with you through the process of understanding your panic symptoms and helping you overcome them. This includes the use cognitive behavioral therapy, key components of CBT including interoceptive exposure, acceptance and commitment therapy and self-compassion. Are you tired of not living your best life? Are you ready to get help? If you are, we are ready to help you: All you need to do is click here for a detailed explanation about the treatment options for panic attacks.
Begin Treatment in Houston for Panic
If you or someone you love is experiencing debilitating symptoms of panic disorder or panic attacks then seeking out a therapist trained in the treatment of panic is a great first step. Find out how Houston Center for Valued Living can help you break free from the fear and control panic is having over your life. Call for a free phone consultation or schedule your appointment online today with one of our therapists. (I hate this paragraph, help?!)
Christen Sistrunk, M.A., LPC specializes in working with adolescents and adults with a range of anxiety and depression related complaints in Houston, Texas. She is a founder of the Houston Center for Valued Living and is President of OCD Texas, a non-profit support and advocacy group for people with OCD and related disorders. She is available to see clients in office and through web/teletherapy on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Contact Christen to schedule an appointment.
Houston Center for Valued Living offers therapy for more than just panic disorder. Discover how we can help you through life’s toughest moments including treatment for: