Panic attack counselling

This female client suffered from panic attacks and anxiety, particularly when dealing with stressful situations such as work presentations, queuing in supermarkets or travelling on the tube. She had experienced these feelings regularly though the symptoms seemed to become particularly acute on a cyclical basis, approximately every two to three years. The client was referred by her doctor after having been signed off work for two weeks with stress. She had previously been prescribed anti-depressants but, whilst they seemed to reduce the level of her anxiety, they had never fully eradicated it. She wanted to deal with her problems for the long-term. We recommended eight sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy focused on teaching her practical coping techniques, challenging her prevailing beliefs and behaviours, and setting regular homework in between sessions to gradually desensitise her to the original stimuli. We also undertook two sessions of hypnotherapy to deal with the blushing she experienced when anxious. She is now able to travel comfortably on public transport and has not reported any feelings of anxiety or blushing in over six months since completing the therapy.