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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing) therapy for panic disorder – learn how this comprehensive therapy can help you
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing) therapy for panic disorder - learn how EMDR can help you manage your panic attacks, identify the root cause, its symptoms & triggers
Panic disorders explained
Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and panic at certain times; it's a natural response to stressful or dangerous situations. But if you experience severe feelings of anxiety, stress and panic regularly at any time, often, and for no apparent reason, you are likely to be suffering from a panic disorder.
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks often occur without warning and start for no apparent reason or can be triggered by something specific such as a large social event. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or, in most extreme cases, dying. An attack can usually last for 5 or 10 minutes, though some come in waves over an hour or so.
Panic attacks are usually accompanied by a range of symptoms such as:
● Palpitations
● Shortness of breath or choking
● Sweating, trembling, feeling sick, dizzy or faint
● Numbness or pins and needles
● Chest pains
● Fear of dying or going mad, seeming unreal or detached
● Hyperventilating
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Hyperventilating in more detail
Hyperventilating is a typical response that can lead to new symptoms, such as confusion or cramps, as well as more of the same symptoms; making them worse and making you hyperventilate even more and become more panicky.
Our approach to treating panic disorders
Feelings such as worry, anxiousness, fear or panic can be mild, moderate or severe. The emotions of panic and anxiety can be constant, long term and can affect people’s daily life. At Pinnacle, you’ll work collaboratively with a trained panic disorder specialist who will help guide you through your therapy. You’ll learn how to manage your panic attacks, identify the root cause, its symptoms and triggers.
Using EMDR therapy for panic attacks
At Pinnacle we know that ‘one size doesn’t fit all’ and that each of our clients is different and has their own set of unique needs and circumstances. We use a combination of therapies to treat panic attacks, one of the primary treatments is Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR).
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What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing) therapy was originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorders, including experiences of war. However, it’s since been found to have far reaching applications for many different types of disorders.
At Pinnacle, our EMDR accredited therapists use this advanced therapy to help with a number of issues such as panic attacks and anxiety.
EMDR for panic attacks - how it helps
Some people don’t want to talk about what is troubling them, particularly those suffering from anxiety, it can be difficult to ’open up’ and explore why they are feeling this way. Some people don’t fully know. That’s not a problem with EMDR because it enables us to work blind to the actual issue: sometimes we work with people and treat them without needing to discuss any of the specifics.
EMDR in more detail
Imagine watching a film back in your mind of an incident which made you feel panicked, anxious, or depressed, and then pausing it at the worst moment: the part that really encapsulates how you felt. That’s what we get our patients to do, replaying it in their mind. We ask them to notice something in the past, and then notice something in the present. We call it bilateral stimulation.
We do this because the part of our brain that processes that event, the reptilian part of our brain, doesn’t know how to handle the incident and can’t store it as a memory. EMDR helps to change that.
“EMDR therapy is a way of helping your brain process negative events and overwhelming situations as memory. We use it a lot and the results can be relatively quick and really powerful. When you use talking therapy (e.g. counselling) to treat a panic disorder you are dealing with the rational part of the mind, and it can be effective. For some people though this won’t be enough. EMDR helps you treat the irrational part of the mind as well, which you also need to treat, through guiding someone’s internal experience”
Richard Reid - CEO, Therapist & Coaching Psychologist
What actually happens in an EMDR for panic disorder therapy session?
The EMDR therapy stimulates both the left and right sides of the brain, using a range of techniques including hand movements, alternating lights or vibrating sensors, while the client recalls the event which is the cause of the anxiety and panic.
The effect of EMDR is similar to Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, during which the brain makes sense of the day’s events, reprocessing the memory and releasing negative emotions and associations. Our trained EMDR therapists will guide you through the process helping you to understand your panic attacks.
“I had suffered from panic attacks for 10 years, they were ruining my life. I never believed I would lead a normal life. I was too scared to go out of the house, unable to work and lost touch with all my friends because they didn’t understand what was wrong with me.
I saw Richard because I was recommended to him, and didn’t really expect too much, but was pleasantly surprised… Even after the very first session I felt a lot better, and for the first time I actually had hope, he actually understood me and knew what I was going through, he specialises in this field…
Now six months later I am leading a normal life… I have Richard to thank for giving me back normality, and I now appreciate life every day. This was the best investment I have ever made - how can you put a value on quality of life - and would recommend him to anyone suffering from anxiety. Thank you Richard.”
Nicola, Teddington, London
What can you expect from a session?
Our EMDR sessions are tailored to suit your needs. We always take a person-centred approach and work with you to reach your goal. Our sessions usually last from 30 minutes to an hour; we usually recommend a course of around 6 to 12 sessions.
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