Have you ever felt like you were having a heart attack but you actually were not? I cannot even begin to tell you how many clients that have gone to the ER thinking they were suffering from a heart attack, when it actually was a panic attack. They happen suddenly and can be very scary, especially if it is your first one. The symptoms can be described as overwhelming and can include your: heard racing, chest feeling tight, shortness of breath, a tingling feeling, sweating, and overall feeling completely out of control.
Panic attacks can happen occasionally due to certain situations or stress, but for some they are constant. And when they are constant they can begin to interfere with your daily life.
When Panic Has No Name
It comes out of nowhere.
Your chest tightens. The world tilts just slightly off its axis.
Your breath feels like it’s trying to escape you.
Your heart races ahead, convinced something terrible is about to happen, though you can’t say what or why.
If you’ve ever felt that, you know it’s not “just anxiety.” It’s panic It is sudden, raw, and terrifying. Panic disorder can make you feel like a stranger inside your own body, trapped in a loop of fear that no one else can see. Many times people land in the ER because they believe they are having a heart attack. Panic attacks are invisible… From the outside, you might look fine. But inside, you’re wrestling a tidal wave no one else feels.
How Therapy Helps You Breathe Again
Therapy doesn’t erase the panic. It teaches you to meet it differently, how to remain calm, how to breath it out, and how to not be scared anymore.
You will learn how to handle a panic attack calmly, even if you are in public. You will have a safe place to talk about how it made you feel and how you can feel differently going forward.
Sometimes, that means learning how to breathe again. But not the kind of breathing you do automatically, but the kind that grounds you in your body, slows the storm, and whispers, “You’re safe now.”
Most importantly, therapy helps you to find your strength.
If you or someone you know has been struggling with panic disorder you can learn more about how I treat panic disorders. You can also use my contact form to request a free consultation!