Panic attacks and panic disorder
Overcome panic attacks and panic disorder with professional support.
When experiencing panic attacks or panic disorder, individuals often fear that they are about to faint, suffer a heart attack, or even die. This is due to misinterpreting bodily signals, leading to overwhelming anxiety.
At World Psychologists, we help individuals overcome panic attacks through effective psychological treatment.
Understanding panic attacks
Anxiety is a natural and essential response that functions as an alarm system, helping us avoid or escape danger. Most people experience anxiety or even an isolated panic attack at some point in their lives.
However, for some, anxiety can become so intense and persistent that it disrupts everyday life.
What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder, also known as panic attacks, involves sudden and intense episodes of anxiety accompanied by severe physical symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, and breathing difficulties.
It is classified as an anxiety disorder, characterised by unexpected and recurring episodes of intense fear or discomfort.
When can panic attacks occur?
Panic attacks can happen at any time, even when the person is relaxed or asleep. They can be triggered by various factors, including:
Physical exertion
Social situations
Unknown or undefined triggers
Common symptoms of panic attacks
Panic attack symptoms often include:
Heart palpitations
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Dizziness
Nausea
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Feelings of unreality or losing control
Many individuals with panic disorder also develop a fear of experiencing further panic attacks, which can lead to avoidance behaviours and social isolation.
Do you suspect panic disorder?
If you are experiencing symptoms of panic disorder, our experienced psychologists and psychotherapists can help by providing the right treatment tailored to your needs.
Panic disorder often leads to agoraphobia
What is agoraphobia?
Many individuals with panic disorder develop agoraphobia, which is anxiety related to places or situations where escape might be difficult or where help may not be available in the event of a panic attack.
Agoraphobia is commonly linked to a fear of public spaces and can cause individuals to:
Avoid certain locations
Feel extreme discomfort in specific situations
Experience distress when unable to leave a place easily
"Agoraphobia is a mental and behavioral disorder, specifically an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in situations where the person perceives their environment to be unsafe with no easy way to escape."
— Wikipedia on agoraphobia
Stress and panic disorder
Increased stress levels raise the risk of developing panic disorder. Stress management is often included in treatment to balance recovery and reduce the risk of future panic attacks.
Although panic attacks can appear unexpectedly, stress can amplify symptoms, making effective stress management an important part of treatment.
Misinterpreting physical sensations
People with panic disorder frequently misinterpret normal bodily sensations.
Common misinterpretations include:
Heart palpitations caused by stress or caffeine consumption may be perceived as a heart attack.
Dizziness may trigger catastrophic thoughts of fainting or losing control.
Hyperventilation may create a fear of suffocation or lack of oxygen.
Many individuals with panic disorder visit A&E departments, believing they are experiencing a heart attack – only to leave without understanding their real condition.
The vicious cycle of panic attacks
What happens when panic disorder develops?
The individual starts avoiding situations that may trigger symptoms. They may stop consuming caffeine or avoid physical exercise, fearing these activities will cause a panic attack.
The problem with avoidance:
Avoidance limits daily life and activities.
It reinforces the belief that bodily sensations are dangerous.
Since they never get the chance to learn that panic symptoms are not actually harmful, fear persists and reinforces the cycle.
Breaking the cycle requires exposure to feared situations, enabling individuals to disprove catastrophic thoughts and reduce panic attacks over time.
How is panic disorder treated at World Psychologists?
At World Psychologists, we offer evidence-based treatment for panic attacks using:
These therapies incorporate:
Psychoeducation – helping individuals understand their symptoms and why panic attacks occur.
Exposure Therapy – reducing fear through controlled exposure to anxiety-provoking situations.
Interoceptive Exposure – helping individuals become accustomed to physical sensations without fear.
Imaginal Exposure – addressing fears of future panic attacks in a controlled setting.
In-Vivo Exposure – encouraging real-life experiences to challenge avoidance behaviours.
The goal of treatment
Reducing the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
Eliminating avoidance behaviours and safety-seeking actions.
Helping individuals regain confidence in their ability to handle anxiety-provoking situations.
Many clients find that their panic attacks significantly decrease or completely stop after structured therapy.