What are panic attacks?

Panic attacks are sudden, intense bursts of anxiety which tend to be unexpected and feel very frightening to the individual. Typical physical sensations experienced during a panic attack are increased heart beat, breathlessness, dizziness and chest pain. When people experience these sensations they can think that they are going to have a heart attack, suffocate or faint.

Sometimes panic attacks can become linked to certain places, often crowded places such as supermarkets and public transport, and people can start to avoid these places, leading to what is known as agoraphobia.

 What do we offer in our service to help with panic attacks?

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is the recommended treatment for panic attacks and we normally suggest that people attend our Fighting Fear group or have some sessions of guided self-help.

You can find links to self-help leaflets and books on panic attacks on our Resources page.