Panic Attack Therapist in NYC
Therapy for Panic Disorder
Panic is an overwhelming and distressing experience, often leaving you feeling vulnerable, uncertain, and out of control. At Looking Glass NYC, we understand the profound impact that panic and panic disorder can have on your life. Our mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy services to help you regain control of your state of mind, alleviate your fears, and ultimately, reclaim your overall sense of well-being.Looking Glass NYC’s experienced panic disorder therapists are dedicated to guiding individuals through the process of understanding and managing their panic symptoms. By utilizing a personalized approach that addresses the unique needs of each client, we empower you with the tools and strategies necessary to overcome your panic experiences and navigate daily life with greater ease and confidence.
Whether you’re struggling with occasional panic attacks or living with panic disorder, our therapy services are designed to support you on your journey towards recovery and improved mental health. As you embark on this transformative path, let Looking Glass NYC be your trusted partner in achieving lasting relief and a renewed sense of freedom.
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear and discomfort. These panic attacks can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, and chest pain. Individuals with panic disorder often worry about having more panic attacks and may avoid places or situations where they believe a panic attack could occur.
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to be diagnosed with panic disorder, a person must experience recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed by at least one month of persistent concern or worry about future attacks and their consequences, or significant changes in behavior related to the attacks.
The exact cause of panic disorder is not well understood but is believed to involve a combination of genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors. Treatment for panic disorder typically includes psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and sometimes medication.
Types of Panic Attacks Therapy Can Help With
Panic attacks are intense and sudden surges of fear, panic, or anxiety. They can be overwhelming and have physical as well as emotional symptoms. While panic attacks themselves can be a part of various anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, they can also occur in other contexts. Understanding the different types of panic attacks can help in recognizing them and seeking appropriate treatment or support.
These panic attacks occur without any apparent cause or warning. They can happen at any time, even during calm states or in sleep. Spontaneous panic attacks are particularly characteristic of panic disorder. They are unpredictable, making it hard for the individual to prepare or take preventive measures.
Situational panic attacks are triggered by specific situations or stimuli that the individual finds particularly threatening or stressful. These triggers can be anything from certain social settings, specific phobias (like fear of flying or claustrophobia), or even thoughts of engaging in an activity that has previously led to a panic attack. The key aspect of situational panic attacks is their predictability based on the presence of the trigger.
These panic attacks may not occur directly in response to a trigger or feared situation but are more likely to occur in these situations. For instance, someone might not always have a panic attack every time they are in a crowded place but are more prone to experiencing panic attacks in crowded environments than in other settings. There’s a predisposition, but it’s not a guaranteed response.
Key Characteristics of
Panic Attacks
Regardless of the type, panic attacks share several key characteristics:
Panic attacks typically come on suddenly, without much warning.
Most panic attacks peak within minutes and tend to start subsiding after that, though the aftermath can leave the individual feeling tired or stressed.
During a panic attack, individuals may feel an overwhelming sense of fear, terror, or discomfort.
These can include heart palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, a feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea, dizziness, chills or heat sensations, paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations), and more.
Why Do Panic Attacks Happen?
Panic is a feeling of intense fear or distress that can come on suddenly and without warning. It is an overwhelming feeling of dread and terror that can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, difficulty breathing, nausea, chest pain, and dizziness. Panic attacks are usually short-lived but can be very frightening and disabling.
The biological mechanism of panic disorder involves changes in the brain and body. In people with panic disorder, there may be structural or activity changes in certain brain regions that are involved in the fear response. These changes lead to an overactive fear response which causes the physical symptoms associated with panic attacks. Additionally, research has found that people with panic disorder have different patterns of respiratory activity compared to those without the disorder. This includes increased heart rate variability and blood cell counts as well as decreased peripheral oxygen saturation levels during a panic attack.
Environmental factors such as stressors or traumatic events can also trigger a panic attack in someone who is predisposed to the condition due to their biology. Additionally, co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety can increase the risk for developing panic disorder.
Panic disorder is a complex condition that involves changes in both the brain and body which can be triggered by environmental factors or co-occurring mental health conditions. Understanding these biological mechanisms can help us better understand how to treat this condition more effectively.
Panic Disorder Therapy FAQs
During your first session, your therapist will ask you questions to get to know you and understand your reasons for coming to therapy. Your therapist will want to learn about your history, what’s going on with you now, and learn about what you want to get out of therapy. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask them questions about how therapy works so you know what to expect.
The amount of time panic therapy takes is different for each person. If you’re dealing with a short-term stressor or triggers that you want resolved, that will typically take less time than panic attacks you’ve been living with for a long time. For some, panic attack therapy is short-term, taking just a few months until they are satisfied with their progress. For others, panic therapy will become a part of their routine, helping them manage ongoing concerns in their life and having a safe outlet for them to explore themselves, their patterns, and understand themselves on a deeper level.
With the rise in virtual therapy, it makes sense to want to know more about how it works. Research shows that virtual therapy, even for panic attacks, has the same benefits as therapy that takes place face-to-face. Virtual therapy is an effective way to fit therapy into your busy schedule, as it allows you to talk to your therapist in the comfort of your own home. With virtual therapy, you avoid the hurdles that can happen with face-to-face appointments, such as scheduling conflicts, traffic, and travel time. In order to make the most of your virtual session, meet with your panic therapist in a private space in your home and have a good internet connection.
You’ve decided to take that next step and start panic therapy, and it can feel overwhelming to decide on a therapist. That’s why we offer a complimentary consultation call with a Looking Glass Intake Coordinator to help you make an informed choice. Every therapist has different strengths and styles that they bring to sessions. When you are in the process of selecting a therapist, talk to your coordinator about what you want to get out of therapy so you can rest assured that you are matched with the right person for you. After all, therapy is all about creating a space where you feel comfortable to open up, so finding a therapist that you click with is the first step on your journey to managing your panic attacks.
Starting from your first session, you and your stress therapist will talk about what you want to get out of therapy. You may come in with a very specific goal, or you may use therapy as a space to talk about stress in conjunction with other ongoing events in your life. Regardless of your therapy goals, your therapist will create a comfortable space for you to talk about how therapy is going so you are both on the same page about the process. Ultimately, you will get more out of therapy if you are willing to put more into it. Growth takes place when you are willing to reflect on yourself and take what you are learning from sessions out into the world with you. Below are a few signs of progress that clients typically note:
- You start noticing that your stress symptoms (anxiety, depression, panic attacks, etc.) are less frequent or intense than before.
- You’re able to function better at work, school, or in your personal relationships.
- You start to find that you have a better understanding of yourself, your feelings, and your behaviors. You’ve gained insights and are making connections that you didn’t make before.
- You might be using new stress coping skills that you’ve learned in therapy and they’re helping in your daily life.
- People close to you may tell you that they have noticed positive changes.
Starting from your first session, you and your panic attack therapist will talk about what you want to get out of therapy. You may come in with a very specific goal or you may use therapy as a space to talk about panic attacks in conjunction with other ongoing events in your life. Regardless of your therapy goals, your therapist will create a comfortable space for you to talk about how therapy is going so you are both on the same page about the process. Ultimately, you will get more out of therapy if you are willing to put more into it. Growth takes place when you are willing to reflect on yourself and take what you are learning during sessions out into the world with you. Below are a few signs of progress that clients typically note:
- You start noticing that your panic symptoms (anxiety, panic attacks, etc.) are less frequent or intense than before.
- You’re able to function better at work, school, or in your personal relationships.
- You start to find that you have a better understanding of yourself, your feelings, and your behaviors. You’ve gained insights and are making connections that you didn’t make before.
- You might be using new panic coping skills that you’ve learned in therapy and they’re helping in your daily life.
- People close to you may tell you that they have noticed positive changes.
Looking Glass Psychology is Out-of-Network with health insurance companies. If you have an Out-of-Network or PPO insurance plan, your insurance will refund a large portion of each session, as long as you have met your Out-of-Network deductible. After each appointment, we’ll supply you with a receipt called a superbill or reimbursement form. To submit for a partial refund, simply log into your health insurance portal to enter the information listed on your superbill. If you have an Out-of-Network plan and have met your Out-of-Network deductible, your health plan will mail the partial refund in the form of a check to your home a few weeks after each appointment. Questions? Email info@LookingGlassNYC.com or chat with us live during business hours by clicking the “Message Us” button on this page.
Your appointment request is our top priority, so we’ll get you on the schedule as soon as possible – no waitlists, and no hassle. Many of our clinicians offer both in-person and video appointments in the early morning, afternoon, late evening, or even weekends. To request an appointment, click the following link: https://lookingglassnyc.clientsecure.me or chat with us live during business hours by text or call our main office line, (646) 760-3399.
Trusted Experts
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Dr. Gindy is wonderful. My life has changed dramatically for the better. My mental health along with my personal development has taken huge leaps forward in such a short period. My time spent with Dr. Gindy is invaluable. My only regret is not meeting her sooner.
