Panic attacks: what they are and how therapy helps
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear with physical symptoms — racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, a sense of doom — that peaks within minutes. They're frightening but not dangerous. CBT for panic is highly effective: it helps you reinterpret the bodily sensations and stop avoiding the situations you fear.
Why panic attacks happen
Panic often involves a feedback loop: a normal body sensation gets interpreted as catastrophic ('I'm having a heart attack'), which spikes fear, which intensifies the sensations. Avoiding places where attacks happened can shrink your world over time — the pattern panic-focused therapy targets.
How therapy helps
CBT for panic teaches you to reinterpret the physical signals accurately, tolerate them through interoceptive exposure, and stop avoidance. Most people see substantial improvement. If chest pain or other symptoms are new or severe, get them medically checked to rule out other causes first.
Common questions
Are panic attacks dangerous?
Panic attacks are intensely uncomfortable but not physically dangerous — the symptoms, while frightening, aren't harmful. That said, if symptoms like chest pain are new, it's wise to get checked medically once to rule out other causes.
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