Find panic attack treatment that works. Learn how therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can help at Rockland Recovery in Braintree, MA.
Feeling like you canโt breathe, your heart is racing, and youโre losing controlโthis is what a panic attack can feel like. These sudden and overwhelming episodes are more than just anxiety. They can take over your life, making it hard to go to work, drive, or even leave the house.
The good news is that panic attack treatment can make a big difference. With the right tools, therapies, and sometimes medication, it is possible to regain control and start living without fear. Whether youโre dealing with panic attacks for the first time or struggling with ongoing panic disorder, help is available.ย
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear that triggers physical symptoms. People often feel like they are having a heart attack or even dying. These episodes usually peak within 10 minutes but can feel much longer.
Common symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Racing heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sweating or chills
- Nausea
- Tingling in the hands or feet
- Feeling detached from reality
When panic attacks happen repeatedly or lead to avoiding certain situations, this may be a sign of panic disorder, a real and treatable mental health condition.
Effective Panic Attack Treatment Options
There are several proven ways to treat panic attacks and panic disorder. A combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes often works best. Letโs break down the most common and effective options.
Therapy for Panic Attacks
One of the most effective forms of panic attack treatment is therapy. Several types of therapy help people learn how to manage and eventually reduce panic attacks.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard. CBT helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. It teaches you how to challenge fearful thoughts and change patterns that fuel anxiety.
Exposure therapy is another powerful tool, especially for panic disorder. It involves gradually facing the physical sensations or situations that trigger panic, helping your brain learn that these sensations arenโt dangerous.
Both CBT and exposure therapy focus on building skills to prevent future panic attacks.
Medication for Panic
For some people, therapy alone is enough. For others, medication can play an important role in managing panic attacks, especially when symptoms are severe.
Common types of medication for panic include:
- SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) โ These are antidepressants often used as a long-term solution for panic disorder.
- SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) โ Another class of antidepressants sometimes prescribed for anxiety and panic.
- Benzodiazepines โ Fast-acting medications that help during a panic attack but are usually only used short-term due to the risk of dependency.
A mental health provider can help decide which medication, if any, is right for you.
How to Stop a Panic Attack in the Moment
When a panic attack strikes, it can feel impossible to stop. But certain grounding and calming techniques can help you ride it out safely.
- Deep breathing: Slow, controlled breathing can signal to your nervous system that you are safe. Try inhaling for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling for four.
- Grounding techniques: Focus on the present. Name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.
- Mindfulness: Remind yourself that the panic will pass and that the feelings, while scary, are not harmful.
Practicing these tools regularlyโeven when youโre not anxiousโcan make them more effective when panic strikes.
Lifestyle Changes That Support Recovery
While therapy and medication are key parts of panic attack treatment, daily habits also play an important role. Making healthy lifestyle changes can lower your overall anxiety and reduce the frequency of panic attacks.ย
Engaging in regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, or swimming, helps release tension and boost mood. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs is also important, as these substances can trigger anxiety and panic. Eating balanced meals throughout the day helps stabilize blood sugar, which supports steady energy and calmer emotions. Practicing mindfulness or daily meditation can help you stay grounded and reduce anxious thoughts. Building a consistent sleep routine is another vital step, since lack of sleep often makes anxiety worse.ย
While these lifestyle changes donโt cure panic disorder on their own, they can make other treatments like therapy and medication much more effective.
Finding the Right Panic Disorder Treatment
Everyoneโs experience with panic attacks is different. What works for one person may not work for another. This is why personalized care is important.
At Rockland Recovery, we offer compassionate support and evidence-based therapies for people dealing with panic attacks and other anxiety disorders. Our team helps clients explore therapy options, such as CBT and exposure therapy, while also providing support for medication management when necessary.
We understand how overwhelming it can feel to live with panic. But recovery is possible. With the right treatment plan, many people go on to live full, peaceful, and empowered lives.
Start Your Recovery Today at Rockland Recovery
If panic attacks are interfering with your life, you donโt have to face them alone. At Rockland Recovery in Braintree, MA, we offer trusted and effective panic attack treatment tailored to your specific needs. Our caring professionals are here to help you learn how to stop a panic attack, manage your anxiety, and take back control of your life. Whether you are looking for therapy for panic attacks, medication support, or a complete treatment plan, we are ready to help.
Contact Rockland Recovery today to learn more about our programs and take the first step toward lasting relief and recovery.