Panic Disorder

Do you experience panic attacks either in specific locations or situations, around certain people, or sometimes for seemingly no reason at all? Are these attacks accompanied by racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, racing thoughts, and a tightness in your chest? If so, it might be helpful to seek treatment for your panic attacks.

Is there treatment for Panic Disorder?

Yes! Effective treatments for panic attacks and panic disorder do exist. Panic attacks are very scary and can feel terrifying. Sometimes they are really frustrating and seem to always come at the worst times. Worse yet, the fear of having a panic attack often leads to avoidance of many places, situations, people, or activities that are meaningful and rewarding. Fortunately, this condition is treatable with a type of evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy called exposure therapy. You don’t have to let panic attacks ruin your life. All of the thoughts, feelings, and sensations associated with these panic attacks can be dealt with in more effective ways that can be learned and practiced in therapy.

Effective Treatment Involves Learning To:

  • Identify situations and cues for panic attacks
  • Manage anxious thoughts
  • Tolerate unpleasant sensations including racing heart, tightening of chest and shortness of breath
  • Identify and stop avoidance behaviors
  • Approach the activities and situations that you care about most

Why didn’t my previous therapy for panic attacks work?

There is no single answer to this question. Treatment for panic disorder can be very effective, often in a relatively short amount of time, if the right interventions are used and you and the therapist have a strong working alliance. You might be thinking that you have already been to therapy for panic attacks and they don’t seem to be getting any better, so what’s the point?

Therapy can be a difficult and frustrating process, especially when it doesn’t produce results. That’s why Dr. Shanley uses only evidence-based methods that have been well supported by research in the field, demonstrating their effectiveness. He specializes in the treatment of panic attacks and other forms of anxiety, using exposure-based techniques that will help you to live a more flexible life not dominated by anxiety. Read more about how this works under “My Approach” and call or email today for a free consultation!

Driving Anxiety