Panic attacks

Panic disorder is characterised by recurrent, sometimes unpredictable, panic attacks. A panic attack consists of intense apprehension, fear and discomfort and the sudden onset of symptoms and with no immediate determining cause.

Symptoms include:
*  Trembles, shaking
*  Flushes, chills
*  Tingling,
*  hyperventiliation
*  Light-headedness
*  Heart-attack like symptoms (heart beating as if bursting)
*  Sweating
*  Anxiety (of losing control, going mad, dying/stroke)
*  sense of de-realisation (feeling as if things are 'unreal' and detached) 

A panic attack can be caused by any prolonged period of anxiety over an issue, whether it is work, relationships, fear of injury, harm or mortality or threats to self-image, self-esteem or status in any way. There are also organic causes for precipitating panic attacks such as glue sniffing, high doeses of amphetamines. Partaking in other behaviours can mimic panic-attack symptoms such as excessive alcohol (especially hot whiskey) consumption.
Because the symptoms can happen quickly and without any warning, there is frequent misattribution of causes e.g. "since I'm panicking in the train, I must be afraid of trains", so that the person thinks the solution is to avoid all trains in the future.
Panic attacks are accompanied by varying levels of hyperventilation (over-breathing).

There are usually two levels to every panic attack:
(a) The original unaddressed fears - which led to a build up manifesting as panic
(b) The fear of the fear - panicky feelings are so distressing that individuals develop an aversion or phobic response to a repeat experience. Whereas a phobia is a panic about external objects or processes, a panic attack is more related to a phobia of internal cue and triggers. In essence one becomes phobic of one's body''s responses.
Therapy involves treating either the underlying causes or symptoms or both. Symptom work is usually an easy  straightforward affair needing one session. Working in underlying causes will take longer, depending on what needs to be addressed.
See also: anxiety

Recommended Therapy: Clinical hypnosis and appropriate psychological coaching.
 

 Panic attacks and panic disorder treatments in Hampstead NW3, Golders Green, Camden and St.John's Wood