Panic Attacks

A panic attack is an exaggeration of the body’s normal response to fear, stress or excitement. It is the rapid build-up of overwhelming physical sensations, such as:

a pounding heartbeat
feeling faint
sweating
nausea - feeling sick
chest pains
feeling unable to breathe
shaking limbs, or feeling like your legs are turning to jelly
feeling like you’re not connected to your body

This can be very frightening especially if you have not had a panic attack before.

Counselling is an opportunity to firstly talk about the panic attacks, when or how they are triggered. It can be quite a disassociating experience and counselling can put it into a context and make it more manageable. Knowing that it will pass is key. We can look at ways to manage the panic attacks and anxiety finding ways of self care.