Panic Attacks: How Hypnotherapy Can Help?

If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you’ll know just how scary they can be. They are an exaggerated response to stress and while they can have obvious triggers, it’s not always clear why they occur.

Panic attacks tend to be brief and most only last for around 20 minutes (although it can feel an awful lot longer!) but that doesn’t make them any less intense. Many of the clients I’ve helped to overcome panic attacks have been worried that they were having a heart attack or would pass out. The intense fear that panic attacks bring can be hugely debilitating but it can be overcome, and hypnotherapy can be a very successful way to regain control.

Why Do Panic Attacks Happen?

It’s not always obvious what has triggered a panic attack but whatever the cause, it stems from a huge spike in anxiety. This triggers the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, which creates the physical symptoms associated with a panic attack.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks

Some of the main symptoms of a panic attack include:

  • A pounding/thumping heart
  • A racing/fast heartbeat
  • Feeling dizzy and/or faint
  • Sweating
  • Trembling/shaking
  • Going very hot or very cold
  • Feeling breathless
  • Nausea
  • Pain in your chest and/or stomach
  • Shaky legs
  • Tingling in your fingers
  • Ringing in your ears
  • Feeling a sense of disconnection or detachment from your body

For most people, these symptoms are scary but not a sign that something is medically wrong. If you experience symptoms that last for longer than 20 minutes (the typical length of a panic attack) or you feel ill after the main symptoms have died down, it’s worth speaking to your doctor to rule out other explanations.

Coping With a Panic Attack

Most panic attacks last for up to 20 minutes and symptoms will reach their peak during this period. In the meantime, you can help yourself with a bit of self help to defuse the situation:

  • Tell yourself that however scary it is, nothing truly bad is going to happen to you. This can help you to get back in control of your panic.
  • Slow breathing can help the panic to subside. You may find it helpful to close your eyes while you do this.

Hypnotherapy and Panic Attacks

Hypnotherapy is one of the most effective interventions for anxiety. By accessing the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy can uncover the trigger(s) for panic attacks, even if you’re not aware of what they are. It can also alter the way that you react to the trigger(s) and give you the tools you need to get back in control of panic and anxiety. Hypnotherapy can be much more effective than trying to fight panic attacks because it works on the unconscious mind, where healing and change can be encouraged.

Are you ready to take a big step towards overcoming panic and regain the upper hand over your anxiety? Contact me today to discuss how hypnotherapy can give you the tools to take back control.