Panic attacks are among the most frightening experiences a person can have. The sudden surge of terror, the racing heart, the difficulty breathing, the feeling that something is terribly wrong — they can arrive without warning and leave you afraid of when the next one will come.
What panic attacks can involve
- Sudden, intense fear or terror without an obvious cause
- Racing or pounding heart, chest tightness
- Shortness of breath, dizziness, or feeling faint
- Tingling, numbness, or a sense of unreality
- Fear of dying, losing control, or "going crazy"
- Avoidance of places or situations where panic has occurred
- Constant vigilance and fear of the next attack
How therapy helps with panic
Panic attacks are frightening but not dangerous. A central part of therapy is understanding what is actually happening during a panic attack — how the body's alarm system gets triggered, and why it creates such intense sensations. This understanding alone can significantly reduce panic's power.
Therapy for panic typically involves learning to respond differently to the physical sensations of anxiety, gradually reducing avoidance, and building a more grounded relationship with your body. CBT has a strong evidence base for panic disorder and is the foundation of our approach.
Panic and addiction
Some people develop patterns of using substances or behaviours to manage or avoid panic — which can create a cycle where the addiction increases anxiety over time. If panic and addiction are both present, both can be addressed within the same therapeutic relationship.