Panic attack therapy in London
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a surge of intense fear with strong physical symptoms, a racing heart, breathlessness and dizziness, that the mind may read as a catastrophe such as a heart attack or losing control. CBT treats panic by testing those catastrophic predictions and dropping the safety behaviours that keep the fear alive, so the body’s sensations stop being read as danger. At The Lyceum, Sanah Younis, a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist, delivers this in Chiswick, Ealing and Richmond, or online. Panic can create a cycle in which physical sensations are feared, monitored and avoided. New or unexplained physical symptoms need medical assessment before they are attributed to panic. The cornerstone is interoceptive exposure: deliberately and safely bringing on feared sensations, such as controlled overbreathing or brief spinning, to break the learned link between a racing body and imminent danger. This is combined with cognitive reappraisal and reducing safety behaviours. The work is commonly at the more focused end of 8 to 20 sessions. How we measure progress GAD-7 alongside PDSS (Panic Disorder Severity Scale). A baseline anxiety measure is paired with a measure specific to the difficulty being treated, so a general distress score does not stand in for the specific fear. Almost everyone who comes to me with panic has first been convinced it was their heart, their brain, or the start of madness. They have often been to A&E and been told they are fine, which only deepens the confusion. The turning point is not reassurance, which never lasts, but experience: when someone deliberately brings on the racing heart and the dizziness in the room, stays with it, and watches it pass without catastrophe, the fear of the fear starts to dissolve. Panic is terrifying and it is harmless, and the body can be taught the difference.
Practical questions
How long does CBT for panic attack take?
The pace and scope are set through assessment. Where focused work or a formal review is appropriate, this is agreed collaboratively rather than assumed from a page.
How much does panic attack therapy cost in London?
Published fees are £110 for online appointments and £140 for face-to-face sessions. Current availability, practical arrangements and funding options can be discussed before booking. View fees and funding information.
Frequently asked questions
Can a panic attack kill you?
A panic attack can feel as though something catastrophic is happening, but the sensations themselves are not dangerous and they pass. New or unexplained physical symptoms should still be checked with a doctor.
How long do panic attacks last?
The peak is usually a few minutes, though the aftermath can linger. Learning that the peak passes on its own is part of treatment.
Is it a panic attack or a heart attack?
They can feel alike, which is why panic can be so frightening. If you have not been medically checked, see a doctor first. Once a physical cause is ruled out, the panic pattern can be addressed directly.
What does a panic attack feel like?
A panic attack can involve a sudden surge of fear with a racing heart, breathlessness, dizziness or a sense that something catastrophic is happening. Because new or unexplained physical symptoms need medical assessment, a website cannot decide what is causing symptoms.
Panic attack vs anxiety attack: what is the difference?
People often use both phrases for intense anxiety, but panic attacks commonly describe a sudden surge of fear with strong physical sensations. Assessment explores the timing, feared meaning, avoidance and any medical factors rather than relying on one phrase alone.
How do I stop a panic attack?
The most counter-intuitive but effective way to stop a panic attack is to stop fighting it. Dropping your resistance and allowing the physical sensations to peak and pass, often called "riding the wave," prevents your brain from escalating the threat. Once the acute symptoms pass and a doctor has ruled out underlying medical causes, our CBT work focuses on dismantling the catastrophic predictions and subtle safety behaviours so the cycle loses its grip.
What triggers panic attacks?
Triggers can include bodily sensations, situations previously associated with panic, stress or the fear of another episode. Assessment maps the individual cycle rather than assuming one trigger, then considers whether cognitive reappraisal, interoceptive work and reducing safety behaviours are appropriate.
Can panic attacks be cured?
CBT does not promise a fixed outcome, but it can offer a route back into the places and experiences panic has made feel unsafe. We do not just help you cope with the next surge; together we map and dismantle the catastrophic predictions, monitoring, avoidance and safety behaviours that keep the cycle active. The pace, suitability and medical considerations are agreed individually through assessment.