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

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.

“The great news is that hypnotherapy is a very effective treatment for panic attacks, anxiety attacks and panic disorder. It can not only reduce the frequency, but lessen the severity of the Anxiety Attacks within a relatively short period of time and sustained treatment will often result in them disappearing altogether.”
Richard Reid – CEO, Therapist & Coaching Psychologist

Using hypnotherapy for anxiety and panic attacks

We know that ‘one size doesn’t fit all’ and that each of our clients is different with their own set of unique needs and circumstances. We use a combination of therapies for panic attacks, one of the primary treatments is hypnotherapy.

What is hypnotherapy?

We actually experience hypnosis all the time naturally. Daydreaming is a form of hypnosis, for example. Similarly, when we arrive at a destination in our car without being aware of how we got there. That’s a form of hypnosis too. We drift in and out of the state all the time.
All we really do with this form of treatment is harness that state to create a form of deep relaxation that enables us to access parts of the brain that are blocked by conscious thought.

By altering your state of consciousness, through the use of hypnosis and positive suggestion, we can help you to change aspects of yourself – for example your behaviour or your feelings

Hypnotherapy for panic disorder – how it works

Hypnotherapy can have a positive effect for people who are struggling to keep control of their emotions and behaviours. Through hypnosis we can teach you simple alternatives of how to express yourself so that you can strengthen relationships rather than damage them.
Changing your behaviour will change how you feel about yourself and how you interact with those closest to you, and the world in general. You’ll learn to express your feelings and needs positively, regain your life and start to transform the most important relationships in your life.

A panic attack therapy case study

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.

What happens in a hypnotherapy session?

During your first session of hypnotherapy, the clinical hypnotherapist will ask you specific questions about your lifestyle and overall health in order for you both to decide on what your goals will be during the therapy.
While under hypnosis, a patient will exhibit enhanced awareness and responsiveness, which allows the hypnotherapist to bypass the rational part of the brain to the more receptive subconscious and introduce new, positive thoughts and perspectives. You will also be more open to suggestion so that together we can help you change behaviour.

“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 hypnotherapy session?

Our hypnotherapy sessions are tailored to suit your needs. Each session usually lasts from 30 minutes to an hour; with courses usually consisting of around 6 to 12 sessions.