What panic is not

Specialist CBT therapy for anxiety, OCD, depression and more in West London

Panic symptoms can feel frightening, but a blog cannot determine their cause. I am Sanah Younis, a BABCP accredited CBT therapist at The Lyceum Clinic in West London. Racing heart, breathlessness, dizziness and chest discomfort can occur during panic, but they can also have other explanations. New, severe, unusual or concerning symptoms should be assessed by an appropriate medical professional. After appropriate medical assessment, some people find it helpful to explore whether panic like episodes involve a cycle of bodily sensations, threat predictions and attempts to get immediate relief. The pattern differs between people. Talking about it in plain language can reduce shame, without treating every episode as identical or assuming a diagnosis. Assessment can consider what has changed, how episodes affect daily life, avoidance, safety behaviours and the person’s goals. If CBT is appropriate, work is collaborative and paced. Exposure based work is planned with a qualified clinician when clinically indicated; it is not a self directed test or a generic exercise from a page. Progress can be uneven. A difficult episode does not prove you have failed, and early improvement does not guarantee that symptoms will not return. The useful question is what support is appropriate now, alongside any medical advice needed. If you live in Chiswick, Hammersmith or Ealing, or prefer online therapy, you can read the related /guides/panic attacks/ resource and /therapy/panic attacks/ page. To discuss your circumstances, arrange an initial conversation through /start/. It can help to bring a short account of what happened before, during and after an episode to an assessment. This is not to analyse yourself perfectly. It gives room to notice what you feared, what you did to cope, what made the episode harder, and what support you already have. If medication is part of your care, decisions about starting, stopping or changing it belong with the clinician who prescribes it. Support may involve learning about panic, addressing avoidance, reviewing sleep and stress, or considering other relevant difficulties. The plan should be individual rather than a promise that one technique will suit everyone. It can also make space for practical questions about work, travel, parenting, relationships and the privacy needed to seek help. A thoughtful assessment should leave you clearer about the next step, even where there is uncertainty, and should respect your pace, priorities and everyday responsibilities, including the practical reality of your current life.