Panic attacks are terrifying and disorienting — many patients feel like they’re having a heart attack or dying. If you have panic attacks and other symptoms of panic disorder, contact Michael Koren, PsyD, and the team at Brighter Life Therapy, PLLC, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They offer personalized, evidence-based psychotherapy to help you manage your condition and regain your quality of life. Call Brighter Life Therapy, PLLC, or schedule a consultation online today.
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that’s characterized by panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden attacks of fear and physical symptoms. If you have panic attacks, they might occur frequently, or you may have months without an attack.
The common symptoms of a panic attack include:
Panic attacks typically strike without warning, so you never know when you’re going to have one. Many patients eventually develop anxiety about their panic attacks.
Medical researchers haven’t identified a cause for panic disorder. Your risk of developing the condition increases if you have a family history of panic disorder or other types of anxiety.
You should make an appointment with the team at Brighter Life Therapy, PLLC, as soon as you have a single panic attack.
They have the training to recognize the symptoms of a panic attack and can help you understand your condition, while also teaching you coping strategies to deal with any future attacks.
The earlier you start treatment, the less panic disorder will negatively affect your life.
Therapy for panic disorder provides two main benefits. First, your therapist helps you explore and resolve the underlying issues that contribute to your condition. Brighter Life Therapy, PLLC, provides a safe, judgment-free place for you to express yourself.
Your therapist can help you learn to recognize your anxious and fearful thoughts and learn techniques to deal with them healthily. This practice should reduce or eliminate your panic attacks.
Additionally, you learn strategies to soothe yourself during a panic attack. The team often incorporates elements of mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy into your sessions to help build your skills and confidence.
Depending on your needs, the team at Brighter Life Therapy, PLLC, can collaborate with your physician to see if medication can help reduce your symptoms. Many patients benefit from a combination of medication and therapy.
If you experience panic attacks and are concerned about panic disorder, call Brighter Life Therapy, PLLC, or make an appointment online today.
