Have you ever felt so overwhelmed with worry it was hard to breathe? Do your hands shake so badly when you’re nervous about a work presentation that you can’t even take a sip of water for your dry mouth? Have you ever been so worried your chest hurt and it felt like you might be dying? Do you completely avoid driving on the highway because you get so scared? If any of these situations sounds familiar, you may be dealing with panic disorder. These are just some of the many ways that panic disorder impacts people. In this blog, we’ll talk in greater detail about just what panic disorder is, and most importantly, our therapists will discuss how therapy helps alleviate panic disorder symptoms.
What Is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. Anxiety occurs when people experience high levels of worry or fear related to situations that don’t seem to merit the response, especially if anxiety impacts the ability to function form day to day. Those with panic disorder can experience moments of sudden and severe worry or fear that may be debilitating. In most cases, these moments of panic don’t last for long. However, over time, they can become more impactful, leading to serious hardship.
What Is a Panic Attack?
Those with panic disorder experience extreme levels of anxiety that often have physical effects like rapid heart rate and difficulty breathing. These symptoms mimic the experience of a heart attack. This is often referred to as a panic attack, and it is the most common symptom of panic disorder. Panic attacks are very frightening, but in most cases, going somewhere safe and can alleviate symptoms. When panic attacks happen frequently, it’s very important to take steps to reduce the number and severity of these episodes.
How Does Therapy Help?
Panic disorder can significantly impact a person’s daily life, but therapy can significantly help to alleviate the symptoms of panic disorder, including panic attacks. Our trusted therapists utilize research-supported therapy methods to alleviate the impact of panic disorder. Namely, we use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. Both forms of therapy involve learning to identify sources of panic and understand the impact of panic on your thoughts and emotions. From there, you can start processing the effects of panic disorder on your actions and daily functioning. Your therapist will help you develop coping strategies to manage feelings of panic in the moment, and they’ll partner with you as you build greater resilience when exposed to sources of panic.
How Can I Schedule a Visit?
If you’re ready to start feeling better and reducing symptoms of panic disorder, our dedicated therapists are here to help. We make getting started quick and easy. Just give the Center for CBT in New York City a call at (917) 596-8955 or by filling out our online request form. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
