Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

Thrive • Mar 09, 2022

By Thrive Waco’s Executive Director Erin McGinty Fort, M.S., MHA, LPC-S, CEDS-S

WHAT ARE PANIC ATTACKS?

Panic attacks are brief intense episodes of anxiety that are typically experienced by people with panic disorder. Usually, individuals with panic disorder are very aware of and sensitive to bodily sensations such as dizziness, shortness of breath, quickened pulse, and tingling or numbness in the extremities, to name a few. When a person with panic disorder begins to feel these sensations, they misinterpret them as dangerous. The person may fear that they’re having a heart attack, or that something else horrible is happening or will happen. This fear may escalate into a panic attack, in which their anxiety rapidly increases. Whereas some people will describe an anxiety attack as lasting hours, panic attacks tend to peak within 15 to 20 minutes after they begin.

In response to the fear that something awful is happening, many people tend to seek medical help in the form of calling 911 or going to the emergency room. These individuals may go through the standard tests and procedures only to be told that they’re likely having a panic attack and that there is nothing physically “wrong” with them.

People with panic disorder may also call family or friends while they are panicking, and seek reassurance from them that they are, in fact, okay and that nothing terrible is occurring.

Additionally, some people with panic disorder may go to the lengths of purchasing their own medical equipment for the home, so that they’re able to monitor their blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, and other vital signs.

TREATMENT FOR PANIC DISORDER

The treatment for panic disorder is exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP). ERP is a specific type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that asks a person to challenge their fears by doing the things that make them anxious, while also asking them not to engage in what we call safety behaviors. Safety behaviors are the things that people do to avoid or escape anxiety-provoking situations or to prevent something terrible from occurring.

With panic disorder, people are asked to engage in interoceptive exposures. Individuals are put through a series of exercises such as breathing through straws, spinning around in chairs, and shaking their heads between their legs. These exercises are meant to mimic the bodily sensations that are so triggering. In most cases, people are able to learn how to experience bodily sensations without believing that something catastrophic is happening.

Panic disorder, like so many other anxiety disorders, is responsive to the right treatment. Thrive Wellness offers outpatient treatment for anxiety disorders , including panic disorder, that consists of both ERP and medication management. Reach out to learn more about outpatient therapy at Thrive.

About the Author

Thrive Waco’s Executive Director Erin McGinty Fort, MS, MHA, LPC-S, CEDS-S

Erin is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor in the state of Texas and has her graduate degrees in both Counseling and Health Administration. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp), which allows clients to rest assured that they are receiving care from a highly trained, competent, and skilled provider in the area of eating disorders. She is a professional member of both iaedp and the Academy for Eating Disorders. She has specialized training in anxiety disorders, trauma, and perinatal mental health.

She has regularly provided eating disorder training and conference presentations to medical and mental health professionals.

A transplant from the Midwest, Erin has embraced Texas as her home. When not working at Thrive Waco, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and furry son.

The post Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.