Anxiety or Panic Attacks: Symptoms and Treatment

Sample E-mail Answer by Ugochukwu Uche MS., LPC

Dear Ugo,

I have been having trouble with anxiety and panic attack issues. I don’t drink and I don’t have any depression issues either. The thing is that it happens when I get excited about something, or when I first meet a group of people, when starting or even going to work/new job, going to the doctors, I start to feel sick, and my heart starts pounding, I start to have cold sweats, and I start to shake.

I have had this anxiety issue since I can remember, it really has affected my life, and I don’t want to take any pills or anything.

Do you have any guidance you can provide me?

Later,

C.

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Dear C.,

It sounds like you occasionally experience panic attacks. Panic attacks can be described as a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort. People who experience panic attacks usually will experience at least four of these symptoms:

• Pounding heart or accelerated heart rate.
• Profuse sweating.
• Trembling or shaking.
• Sensations of shortness of breath.
• Feelings of choking.
• Chest pains.
• Nausea.
• Hotheadedness or dizziness.
• Feelings of being detached from oneself.
• Fear of losing control or going crazy.
• Fear of dying.
• Numbness or tingling sensations.
• Chills or hot flushes.

I get the feeling that you are able to predict the onset of these attacks, as evidenced from your email- your ability to identify the triggers for these attacks. I have also noticed that your attacks are triggered by the preparation to engage in new social situations? It would be interesting to understand in regards to your excitement, what your thoughts and feelings about these new social situations are, and how they lead to your panic attacks.

If you are interested, our treatment will begin with you sharing a story about the last time you experienced a panic attack, after which we will work backwards to your thought process and feelings which in turn triggered the attack. Using what we learn about you from this most recent episode, I will introduce you to cognitive behavioral and mindfulness strategies, geared at helping you adopt healthier beliefs regarding new social situations (True Positives) and simultaneously cope with difficult feelings derived from the old beliefs. The goal of the latter will be to lessen your experiences with panic attacks as you learn and internalize new and healthier beliefs in regards to new social situations.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Take care,

Ugochukwu Uche MS, LPC

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Links:
www.road2resolutions.com
www.hypnosisCDsandMP3s.com
www.energypsychologytherapy.com 
www.add-care.com

Ugo is a psychotherapist and professional life coach.