Rehab Centers for Panic Attacks and Panic Attack Disorder
Panic attacks can come on at any time without warning. They are signified by shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating, fear and numbness. Panic attacks are a form of severe nervousness or anxiety about a situation in which an individual feels like they are out of control and in jeopardy of being harmed. Sometimes, people with panic attacks will only suffer symptoms once or twice but many individuals will suffer from repeat episodes of panic attacks that require the assistance of a rehab center, therapist or medical professional to cope.
Therapists can provide treatment for panic attacks in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy to reduce the anxiety that is associated with certain situations. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a process of treating panic attacks by teaching the individual how to view their fears (which cause the panic attacks) in a realistic light. This type of therapy is focused on teaching the individual that certain events are very unlikely to result in a catastrophic situation and they are not worth panicking over.
Exposure therapy is another common form of treatment that rehab centers will use for individuals who suffer from panic attacks. Exposure therapy is a process in which the therapist or rehab center will expose the individual to the physical sensation of the panic attack in a safe environment in which the individual can learn to work past the attack mentally and physically. Each exposure results in the individual becoming less afraid of the situation thus reducing the panic attacks that the individual suffers from.
Additionally, rehab centers may provide medications as treatment for panic attacks. Antidepressants and Benzodiazepines have been proven to help reduce some of the symptoms (and occurrences) of panic attacks. Rehab centers will sometimes use medications to help with panic attacks but most will only use medication when combined with some for of behavioral therapy as described above.
If you or someone you know suffers from panic attacks, anxiety disorders or another type of mental disorder it is important to know that you are not alone in your fight. Rehab centers and therapists are available to treat the cause of panic attacks and to help individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders to live normal lifestyles.
