Panic Disorder Counseling & Treatment

Panic attacks are really intense and can be quite scary, especially because they can be unpredictable. It can sometimes feel like you are having a heart attack. It feels like there's an imminent threat or as if you are in danger. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack has Panic Disorder.

Panic attacks are characterized by the onset of four of the following symptoms:

• Pounding heart/fast heart rate
• Chest pain/discomfort
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Chills
• Numbness
• Feeling of choking
• Fears of dying
• Fears of losing control 
• Feelings of being detached from oneself

Panic Disorder 

• Panic attacks must be recurrent and unexpected. 
• ≥1 attack has been followed by 1 month or more of 1 or both of the following
• Persistent concern about additional attacks or their consequences
• A significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks
• Need to have persistent worry or change in behavior because of the panic attacks (cannot be due to some substance)
• Are not better explained by some other disorder like agoraphobia 

Together, I will guide you through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. We will discuss your thoughts and emotions & help identify panic attack triggers so you can change your thinking, behaviors and reactions. As you start to respond differently to triggers, the attacks may decrease and ultimately stop.

Exposure therapy is often very helpful in the treatment of Panic Disorder. This involves exposing you gradually and repeatedly — in your imagination and/or in reality — to whatever triggers a panic attack. Over time, you learn to become comfortable with the situation instead of it causing anxiety and panic. You’ll learn relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, to manage your anxiety throughout the process.