All About CBT for Panic Attacks, How it Works and What’s Involved

CBT for Panic Attacks

CBT for Panic Attacks is one of the most effective ways of overcoming the emotional distress caused by this condition.

Panic Attacks are an exagerrated form of Anxiety and you can feel very overwhelmed and out of control when having one.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was developed by Aaron Beck in the 1960’s who recognised that people’s inner-thoughts were often more significant than the things that they said out loud during therapy sessions.

He called these inner-thoughts cognition and argued that the way that people think about their experiences links directly to the emotions that they feel.

In other words our emotional experiences are the outcomes of what we think and believe rather than being caused by external events.

These ideas form the central concept of CBT which states that:

The way people think determines the way that they feel.

In the case of Panic Attacks the emotions that we feel are the direct result of what we think or believe our experiences mean.

Panic Attack Symptoms

The symptoms of panic attacks fall into four categories and can include:

• Physical symptoms: Racing or pounding heartbeat, chest pain or tightness, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, choking sensations, nausea or stomach discomfort, dissiness or lightheadedness, and hot or cold flashes.

• Emotional symptoms: Feeling intense fear or dread, a sense of impending doom, or a loss of control.

• Cognitive symptoms: Feeling detached from reality, having a sense of unreality or depersonalisation, feeling like things are not real.

• Behavioural symptoms: Avoiding situations or places where panic attacks have occurred before, or changing behaviour in an attempt to avoid future panic attacks.

Panic attacks can be a frightening and overwhelming experience, but it’s important to know that they are treatable.

Most panic attacks last for between five and 20 minutes although they can often feel like they are longer.

How does CBT for Panic Attacks work?

Normally a programme of CBT for Panic Attacks takes place over a period of 10 to 20 weeks with an hour long session once per week.

Firstly, because the way you think about your day-to-day experiences is determined by your core beliefs, the early sessions of CBT for Panic Attacks involve exploring and measuring these beliefs.

Secondly, once you are able to uncover your core beliefs, your thoughts about certain experiences will make more sense.

Thirdly, by understanding how you have made sense of your experiences in the past you can then begin to make changes to your thoughts and beliefs in order to create new, and more useful, emotional outcomes.

CBT for Panic Attacks builds upon the 5 core CBT principles developed by Aaron Beck and are used extensively in our CORE Programme.

How many sessions of CBT will I need?

Whilst this is a difficult question to be precise about, most people will be able to overcome their Panic Attacks problems in around 10 – 20 sessions.

However, because CBT for Panic Attacks is always tailored to your own individual needs and circumstances, getting the outcome that you want may sometimes require more sessions.

If you have been suffering Panic Attacks problems for many years then in all likelihood, you can reasonably expect to take a bit longer to get where you want to be.

Our CBT for Panic Attacks programme is based on 12 sessions delivered over 12 weeks and uses an online learning platform for you to develop greater self-awareness and knowledge in the days between sessions.

Arrange your FREE initial consultation here.

If you’d like to find out more about CBT for panic attacks or recovering from any of your mental health problems then why not arrange a free initial consultation with us.

During this consultation we will discuss your particular issues and the different types of mental health counselling we offer (including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT) without you having to commit to any counselling going forward.

The consultation lasts around 50 minutes and is a great opportunity to meet with either Paul or Joan and decide if you would like to proceed with any support.