Panic

When your body feels like it's turning against you

A panic attack can feel terrifying, particularly when you don't understand why your body is reacting so strongly. You might experience a racing heart, dizziness, breathlessness, shaking, chest tightness or a feeling that you're going to faint, lose control or something terrible is about to happen.

After a panic attack, you may start watching your body closely, avoiding places where you've previously panicked or worrying about when the next one will happen. For teenagers, this can affect school, travelling, social situations, sport or being away from home, as the fear of having another attack can become as difficult as the panic itself.

How can CBT help?

CBT can help you understand the body's anxiety response and why physical sensations can become frightening. We'll gradually work on the cycle of panic, including fear of sensations, avoidance and safety behaviours, so that your body feels less threatening and you can rebuild confidence in situations you've been avoiding.

What could change?

The goal isn't to guarantee that you'll never feel anxious again. It's to stop panic from controlling where you go, what you do and how you live.

You might become less frightened by physical sensations, feel more confident going places on your own, return to activities you've been avoiding and feel able to carry on with your life even when anxiety shows up.

You don't have to live around panic

A free, confidential consultation gives us the chance to talk about what's been happening, what panic has started to affect and whether I could help you feel more in control.