Panic Attack Therapy in Fort Lauderdale: What to Do When Anxiety Feels Overwhelming
A panic attack can make you feel trapped and very anxious.
Your heart rate increases, it is difficult to breath as chest feels pressured, and fear comes into play where you start to think you are not safe.
When experiencing panic attacks; many people go to the emergency room due to the intensity of their symptoms.
If you are searching for Panic Attack Therapy in Fort Lauderdale, you may be dealing with recurrent episodes of chest tightness, intense anxiety, difficulty breathing, and wondering how to properly manage your symptoms.
The good news is that panic attacks can be reduced and properly managed with the right support. Therapy can help you develop healthier coping skills to reduce your fear response and frequency of panic attacks.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is an abrupt surge of a flight or flight fear response that peaks within minutes even when there is no imminent danger.
Common symptoms include:
- Rapid Heartbeat
- Sweating
- Difficulty Breathing
- Chest Tightness or pressure
- Overwhelming Anxiety
- Feeling Dizzy
- Chills or Heat Sensations
Though Panic Attacks are not life-threatening, they can feel as if they are due to their intensity and unpredictability.
If you are having recurring episodes of panic attacks, you may be struggling with panic disorder, a condition that can be properly managed with professional support from a Licensed Mental Health Therapist
Why Anxiety Feels So Overwhelming During a Panic Attack
When your brain perceives danger or threat, it releases adrenalin This is when your body is in flight or fight mode.
The problem is that during a panic attack, your brain perceives a threat even when you’re not in actual danger.
Your mind then tries to make sense of your bodily responses
“Why is my chest tightening?”
“Why am I having a hard time breathing?”
“Am I going to pass out?”
The fear of symptoms often intensifies them.
Finding a therapist who provides Anxiety Therapy in Fort Lauderdale can help you gain more insight into anxiety to help you interrupt this cycle. You can also read our post on Anxiety Therapy in Fort Lauderdale: Signs You May Need Professional Help for a deeper understanding of anxiety symptoms and how it impacts your mental health.
What to Do During a Panic Attack
If you are experiencing a Panic Attack, below are strategies that can help reduce and manage your symptoms
- Slow Your Breathing
Focus on your breathing by inhaling slowly though your nose, holding for four seconds or until you need to exhale. When exhaling, exhale slowly.
This decreases tension and tells your nervous system that you are safe.
2. Ground Yourself
Focus on your five senses by naming
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can hear
- 3 things you can touch
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
Grounding yourself increases emotional awareness and clarity which reduces dissociation.
3. Reminding yourself that it will pass
Panic Attacks have a period where it peaks and then it subsides.
Practicing positive self-talk by reminding yourself that it will pass gives you needed reassurance and can decrease anxiety.
When to Seek Panic Attack Therapy in Fort Lauderdale
You don’t need to wait to seek therapy. Therapy can help you if you are experiencing the symptoms below:
- Panic Attacks come out of no where
- Your quality of life has been negatively impacted
- You avoid situations out of fear
- You struggle with heightened levels of anxiety
- You struggle to manage your symptoms on your own
Panic attacks can also overlap with other issues such as stress and burnout. If you are going through stress and feeling burnt-out, you may also find value in our article on Stress Management Therapy in Fort Lauderdale to properly understand your triggers.
How Panic Attack Therapy Works
Effective Panic Attack Therapy in Fort Lauderdale typically involves evidence-based practices such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps identify triggers and catastrophic thinking patterns of your panic attacks to provide you with healthier coping strategies.
Nervous System Regulation
Deep Breathing Techniques to help you focus on your breathing and regulate your physiological responses.
Identifying Triggers
Stress, burnout, trauma, and other life challenges can all contribute to Panic Attacks. By identifying triggers, you can begin to avoid triggering situations or better prepare yourself prior to entering triggering situations if you must.
The Connection Between Panic Attacks and Self-Esteem
Recurring panic attacks can exacerbate low-self-esteem issues.
You may begin to question:
“Why am I not strong enough?”
“Am I just a person with so many issues?”
This can cause feelings of inferiority and self-doubt.
If panic attacks have led to low-self-esteem and has negatively impacted your confidence, our article on Self Esteem Therapy in Fort Lauderdale: How to Build Confidence and Overcome Self-Doubt can help you to gain greater insight into the connection between your panic attacks and low self-esteem.
Addressing both issues simultaneously can help improve your quality of life and overall daily functioning.
Online Panic Attack Therapy in Florida
Many clients prefer having online therapy in Fort Lauderdale instead of in person therapy due to convenience, privacy, and comfortability.
Virtual Sessions allow you to:
- Receive therapy anywhere in Florida from your place of comfort
- Remain flexible with your daily demands
- Avoid transportation inconvenience
- Receive the same evidence-based strategies
Online therapy is just as effective as in person therapy for the treatment of Panic Attacks and Anxiety.
You can learn more about the effectiveness of online therapy in our article, Online Therapy in Fort Lauderdale: How Virtual Counseling Works and Who it Helps.
You Are Not Weak — Your Nervous System Is Overloaded
Having panic attacks does mean you are weak.
Panic attacks is a nervous system response that occurs when your brain perceives a threat.
With proper support and strategies, you can learn how to learn how to remain calm.
Overtime, you can:
- Develop healthy coping skills
- Learn how to remain mindful of your emotions
- Reduce anxiety and fear of symptoms
- Sleep better
- Learn how to better manage your life
- Feel more confident
There is help and resources are available to help you to improve your quality of life.
Start Panic Attack Therapy in Fort Lauderdale Today
If you are overwhelmed with anxiety and panic attacks are disrupting your quality of life, you are not alone. Support is available.
Professional Panic Attack Therapy in Fort Lauderdale can help you learn more about your symptoms and develop strategies to reduce them.
With the flexibility of Online Therapy, you can take the first step to improving your mental health and daily functioning.
You don’t have to suffer alone.
Ready to take your first step? Click button below to schedule your appointment.
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