Panic Disorder
1. A recurrent experience of panic attacks, which are discrete periods of intense fear or discomfort where one feels:
- Heart Palpatations or Increased Heart Rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or Shaking
- Feeling Smothered or Shortness of Breath
- Feeling of Choking
- Chest Pain or Discomfort
- Nausea or Abdominal Distress
- Dizzy, Lightheaded, Faint
- Derealization or Depersonalization
- Fear of Losing Control or Going Crazy
- Fear of Dying
- Parasthesias (numbness or tingling)
- Chills or Hot Flashes
2. Concern or Worry About Having Another Attack, It's Consequences, and Changing Behavior to Prevent the Attacks
- Agoraphobia may or may not be present (not going to unfamiliar places for fear of panic attacks occuring)
Panic attacks can be extremely fearful events and cause some people to become so afraid that they no longer leave their home. When having a panic attack, people often feel like they're going to die, go crazy, they will be horribly embarrased, or something horrible will happen. This often leads people to begin to avoid situations that may trigger anxiety or places they're unfamiliar with for fear that they will not be able find safety if they have a panic attack. Some even find that they wake up in a panic. I have worked with teenagers who have begun to avoid going to school due to fear of panic and adults who were unable to concentrate at work or stopped driving for fear of their panic attacks. Many have taken medication and have found it to be somewhat helpful, but their panic comes back once they stop taking it. Fortunately, there's treatment for Panic Disorder.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence based therapy for treating Panic Disorder and helping people to eliminate it from their lives. Through understanding the ways that fear develops in response to the physical reactions and how we begin to avoid anxiety provoking situations, we work to begin to face and overcome those fears, which lead to the end of panic. We also look at the situations in your life that may be contributing to your panic disorder. We can make some significant improvements in 10 to 12 sessions and hopefully have you living free from panic.
To make an appointment for an assessment and/or discuss recommendations for treatment, call (415) 686-9544 or email drkeith@drkeithsutton.com I have offices in San Francisco and San Rafael and provide phone and/or web sessions for clients who can not come to the office.