Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Assessment Led Guidance

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

Panic attacks can involve a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical sensations such as a racing heart, breathlessness, chest tightness, dizziness, shaking, sweating, nausea or a sense of unreality. Can a panic attack make you faint? Feeling faint is common in panic, but actual loss of consciousness needs medical assessment. Panic commonly involves an adrenaline driven increase in heart rate and alertness, while Vasovagal syncope involves a sudden fall in blood pressure and sometimes heart rate. Accurate assessment explores relevant medical causes as well as anxiety patterns. A guide cannot diagnose panic disorder or determine whether a pattern of panic attacks is clinically significant. Physical symptoms that resemble panic can also have medical, cardiac, hormonal, medication related, neurological or other explanations. Chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, a first episode with concerning symptoms or a sudden change in physical health should not be automatically attributed to panic. Seek appropriate medical advice, particularly when symptoms are new, severe, changing or worrying. Panic attacks can lead to avoidance of situations where attacks have occurred or where leaving would be difficult. Over time, this avoidance can affect travel, work, social activities and daily routines. A guide cannot determine whether avoidance is clinically significant or what support is appropriate for an individual. CBT may be considered after individual assessment where panic attacks are affecting daily life. It can involve exploring the links between a physical sensation, an interpretation, an emotion and a behavioural response. Interoceptive work, where it is clinically appropriate, is planned collaboratively with a suitably qualified clinician after discussion of the rationale, alternatives, safety and pacing. A guide is not a self directed programme for exposure or interoceptive work. Medication may also be considered by an appropriate prescriber for some people. Medication decisions belong with an appropriate prescriber and require an individual medical discussion. A therapy guide cannot advise on a dose, say that medication is necessary or tell someone to change a prescribed treatment. For related information, see panic disorder therapy at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/therapy/panic attacks/, panic attacks subtypes at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/panic attacks subtypes explained/, panic attacks in West London at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/panic attacks west london rates/ and panic attacks at work at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/panic attacks work daily life/. If there is immediate danger, thoughts of self harm, an inability to stay safe or a sudden marked deterioration, call 999, attend A&E or use urgent local crisis or medical support.