Hypnotherapy and Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are not an uncommon disorder and cause considerable psychological distress.  Symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations and intense feelings of fear.  The sufferer becomes frightened of having another attack and so experiences a fear of fear itself.  A panic attack may occur as a one off, typically provoked by anxiety or a stressful situation.  A series of recurrent attacks is described as panic disorder and requires a medical diagnosis to confirm it.  It must be emphasized that no matter how unpleasant the symptoms are no one has ever died from having a panic attack.

Both physical and psychological factors are involved in generating an attack.  The experience of having had one attack tends to make the sufferer, not surprisingly, alert for any symptoms that might herald another.

The major contributor to having a panic attack is hyperventilation.  This is where the patient, often unconsciously, overbreathes through the mouth and absorbs too much oxygen into their blood stream. 

The physical symptoms that would be experienced by anyone with over oxygenated blood include dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations and intense feelings of fear.

The expectation or worry about having another attack will tend to cause anxiety.  And an internal focus and monitoring of any physical symptoms that may be judged as 'abnormal' will increase anxiety levels.  The symptoms of anxiety are increased heart rate, rapid breathing and sweating causing even more anxious feelings and thereby creating a vicious circle.  

In treating panic attacks I use a two pronged approach.  The most important aspect of treatment is an explanation of the physical cause of the symptoms. Breathing exercises and distraction techniques are taught in order to reduce hyperventilation which in itself reduces anxiety levels.  Under hypnosis strategies are used for reducing the fear and replacing it with feelings of calmness and control.

 Travelling on the tube was a terrifying experience because of my panic attacks.  Ruth, I can't thank you enough, you have given me back the freedom and control in my life  (Alison G)