Our providers offer panic attack disorder therapy in Henrico, VA

Panic Disorders in Short Pump, VA—Therapy and Counseling

Liz was sleeping sweetly one evening when all of a sudden she wasn’t. She woke with a knot in her stomach and an elephant on her chest. Liz was perspiring and breathing heavily even though she had just been relaxed and asleep. Her heart raced. Right before she was ready to call an ambulance, the feelings faded. Did she have a heart attack or a stroke? Liz decided to go see the doctor in the morning, and there, she found out that this was a panic attack.

People can suffer from panic attacks without warning and a discernable reason. When they occur repeatedly and disrupt daily life, they may have become a panic disorder.

With the guidance and care of a skilled therapist, many explore and resolve the root causes of panic disorder. The therapists at Thriveworks Henrico treat panic disorders. They often combine cognitive behavior therapy, exposure therapy, and/or medication to tailor a treatment plan that addresses their client’s specific needs.

Panic Disorder: Signs and Symptoms

Panic attacks are a serious threat to a person’s mental health, and The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) recognizes panic disorders (DSM-5 300.01 [F41.0]). The following characterizes a panic disorder:

• When a person suffers from repeated (at least two) and unpredictable panic attacks. People often feel discomfort, anxiety, and fear that builds for several minutes and then subsides during the attack. At least four of the following symptoms must be present to be considered a panic attack:
  • Fear of going crazy or losing control
  • Perspiring excessively
  • Fear of death
  • Irregular or escalated heart rate
  • Shaking or convulsions
  • Feeling choked
  • Depersonalization or detachment from oneself
  • Feeling smothered or experiencing shortness of breath
  • Numbing or tingling sensations
  • Chest pain and/or tightness
  • Dizziness and/or faintness
  • Nausea and/or abdominal pain
  • Hot flashes or chills
• Experiencing at least one of the following after a panic attack (or panic attacks) for at least one month:
  • Acute concern that another panic attack will occur and/or another, similar, negative health consequences will occur (e.g., a stroke).
  • Adjusting one’s everyday schedule in an attempt to avoid or decrease the panic.

Therapies for Panic Disorders

Skipping out on work opportunities, family functions, and fun with friends is not the only option for people who suffer from a panic disorder. Various therapies can be combined to find a treatment plan that addresses people’s particular needs, and panic disorders have proven responsive to these therapies. Some of those effective therapies include:

• Exposure therapy: With a skilled therapist and a safe space, people can learn to normalize, accept, and cope with their panic attacks by being exposed to their feelings and sensations. When people increase their ability to cope with the attacks, their frequency and severity may decrease.
• Medication: Certain medicines may make exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy more effective. Antidepressants or benzodiazepines can abate symptoms so that people can more easily build coping skills and/or address the root causes of the disorder.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Certain unhealthy behavior patterns or thought systems could be contributing to the panic disorder. These, often, are learned during a childhood trauma. Cognitive behavior therapy aims to work through the trauma and replace unhealthy behavior and/or thinking that resulted with healthy ones.

Therapy at Thriveworks Henrico, VA

When you call our office, rest assured that:

1. Night and weekend appointments are available.
2. A person will answer—not a voicemail.
3. Many insurance plans are accepted.
4. New clients often attend their first appointment within 7 days of their first call.

It’s time to live your life. Call Thriveworks Short Pump or book online today to get treatment for your panic attack symptoms.