Panic attacks hypnotherapy and CBT in Bournemouth

The symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety can be multiple and various. They are caused by the misinterpretation of physical sensations and mental images.

Anyone in Bournemouth, Dorset or elsewhere who experiences panic and anxiety attacks are responding to the innate ‘fight or flight’ mechanism present in all animals. This response is a natural reaction to a real or perceived threat.

Panic attacks can be overcome (see ‘Cure your panic attacks today’ below). When the fight and flight response is triggered, hormones are released through the body to enable us to either fight in the dangerous situation or to run away from it.

The effects of the fight and flight response may include:

·    Rapid heartbeat
·    Palpitations
·    Sweating
·    Differences in breathing
·    Shaking
·    Disorientation

Panic attacks are perpetuated by the ways in which we think. An anxiety attack can be initiated purely through distorted thinking, which turns on the ‘fight and flight’ response and keeps it going. Our bodies can't tell the difference between the thoughts and images such as: “What if I make a fool of myself?” and “Am I having a heart attack?” and a real emergency situation such as being mugged.

The way we think when we have an anxiety disorder, the 'what ifs', keep turning on the fight and flight response, and a vicious circle is created.

People with anxiety disorders can also experience a number of different effects as a result. These effects can include lack of concentration and extreme exhaustion.

Types of panic attacks

Spontaneous panic attacks

This particular panic attack is associated to Panic Disorder. These may come without any warning, day or night, and regardless of what the person is doing. The spontaneous attack is not related to and not initiated by any particular situation or place. Some people can even be woken from sleep with this type of attack.

Specific panic attacks

These occur in relation to feared events or places. They can be social situations for those with social anxiety, or revisiting the scene of traumatic events in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Specific panic attacks  can also be caused by exposure to a anxiety-producing stimuli such as germs for someone with OCD.

Situational predisposed panic attacks

Some people with Panic Disorder may experience this type of attack, where they are predisposed to having panic attacks in certain situations or places, despite not being actually frightened of the situation or place.

For example, someone may experience panic attacks while driving their car, but they are not frightened by driving. This means they are predisposed to having attacks whilst driving, but the attacks are not actually due to a fear of driving.

Cure your panic attacks today

Contact Dolphin Hypnotherapy for your FREE 1 hour initial consultation and overcome your panic attacks today. OR book online now, using voucher code INITIALAC. (Please note that in the event of non-attendance or cancellation with less than 48 hours notice, our standard consultation fee will be charged.)

We are based in Bournemouth, Dorset, and have an impressive track record – why not read our client testimonials and see for yourself?

This condition can be treated successfully by learning to re-interpret the physical sensations more realistically and be aware of the mental images which accompany them.

Remember – no-one is born with panic disorder – it is caused by misinterpretation of physical signals and exaggerated thinking. Palpitations may be unusual but they do not necessarily indicate a heart attack.

Panic attacks often respond well to a combination of Suggestion Hypnosis using NLP Hypnosis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). In some cases Analytical Hypnotherapy may be used if deemed appropriate. Scroll up and see the links on the left for more information on these.

Recovery for everyone means understanding the symptoms and how they happen. This then helps us to overcome our unwarranted fears, and thereby 'turn off' the fight or flight response.