Top Therapies for Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

Handling panic attacks and panic disorder is very difficult each day—they come on suddenly, are very intense and make it hard to go about daily tasks. Those who experience these conditions regularly have lengthy and terrifying episodes, face unusual breathlessness or strong heartbeats and always feel dreadful about having another attack. Luckily, these issues can be managed successfully. In Islamabad, Healing Door Rehab Center gives personalized evidence-based treatment to heal both the symptoms and the causes of addiction. Our psychologists, psychiatrists and other holistic health experts join forces to give patients a complete treatment plan for their recovery. We’ll review and explain the greatest treatment options, mainly those you can find at Healing Door Rehab Center, in this thorough blog.

What Are Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder?

Before making a plan for treatment, we should explain these problems clearly.

• A panic attack means you feel a strong rush of fear or unease suddenly, with the most intense part over in minutes. Chest pain, passing out, trembling, sweating, nausea and a feeling of impending doom are possible symptoms.
• Those with panic disorders go through several attacks and are constantly worried about having another. Therefore, some people will try to avoid places, activities or situations to avoid another attack.

No matter what symptoms someone has, panic attacks and panic disorder usually prevent them from living normally and happily. We understand that everyone responds to anxiety differently at Healing Door. Since every person’s needs are different, our programs are adapted to fit their backgrounds, medical past and psychology.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

Panic attacks and panic disorder are usually managed well with CBT. Clinical psychologists trained in CBT methods for anxiety lead this therapy at Healing Door.

Its purpose is to help people achieve the following:

• Find out the thoughts that make you anxious when you notice them.
• Instead of expecting the worst, replace these thoughts with safe and practical ideas.
• Get techniques to control anxiety when you are in real-life situations

Sessions are built around homework tasks, simulations for facing reality and devices to support self-observation. The strategies taught in CBT lower your symptoms now and help you avoid future problems.

2. Exposure Therapy:

Exposure therapy for anxiety goes along with CBT and helps you gradually become used to your main fears without real danger. Many people who experience panic disorder and later agoraphobia gain a lot from using this treatment.

A systematic approach of gradual exposure is used at Healing Door:

• You should focus on situations that aren’t scary at first.
• Get used to being in noisy areas a little at a time.
• Use methods to help you relax whenever you can.

With patience, patients change their fear responses, increasing how confident and in charge they feel around concerns.

3. Psychiatric Medication:

While therapy comes first for most people, sometimes medicine is necessary—especially when symptoms are very strong or get in the way of daily activities. The Healing Door Rehab Center performs assessments to decide if medication is needed.

Usually, these conditions are treated by prescribing:

• The medicines called sertraline and escitalopram are examples of SSRIs. They work to regulate serotonin which is a main mood stabilizer.
• Venlafaxine which belongs to SNRIs, may help.
• Doctors mostly recommend benzodiazepines for temporary relief in serious episodes only.

Our team oversees any medications prescribed, changes them if appropriate and uses them with psychotherapy for the best results.

4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:

Mindfulness is not just a new hype; it is proven by research to support persons in remaining present. Mindfulness techniques can stop the connection between fear, panic and the body’s responses for those with panic attacks or panic disorder.

Each day, participants in Healing Door are led in mindful routines such as:

• Teaching meditations
• Learning box breathing and diaphragmatic breathing
• Relaxing each part of the body step by step

When you use these techniques, you experience less anxiety, better concentration and a stronger awareness of emotions which means you have fewer panic episodes eventually.

5. Group Therapy:

Few people know about it, but group therapy is a highly effective way to treat anxiety. At Healing Door, individuals can participate in confidential meetings were trained facilitators help them share, learn new views and gain new skills.

Benefits include:

• People tend to feel more connected.
• Being supported by and accountable to a group
• Opportunities to interact in a safe environment

People taking part find out that others experience panic attacks and panic disorder which makes them feel more supported.

6. Holistic Wellness:

There is a tight link between mental health and physical health. It’s for these reasons that we make holistic wellness coaching available to everyone in our anxiety recovery programs.

We take a number of different approaches, including:

• Nutritional guidance: We teach clients about how blood sugar rises, getting dehydrated and even caffeine can make panic attacks more likely.
• Sleep optimization: Our sleep hygiene lessons result in better quality sleep and sharper focus.
• Physical activity: Doing gentle yoga, stretching and cardio can help you regulate your mood and keep your brain healthy.

Making these lifestyle changes together with therapy helps to defend against anxiety.

7. Trauma-Informed Therapy:

A lot of individuals facing panic attacks and panic disorder have old trauma that hasn’t been addressed. All care at Healing Door is based on trauma sensitivity, helping patients feel cared for and listened to.

Your therapist could propose using multiple therapies for your health problem.

• The full name of EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and it can be useful for easing symptoms of anxiety from trauma.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS): Explains what helps emotional stress come up within a person.
• Narrative therapy: The idea behind narrative therapy is to help people take control of their own histories.

By using this approach, the child does not experience more stress and feels their emotions heal faster.

8. Biofeedback and Neurofeedback:

Biofeedback and neurofeedback are part of the approaches used by Healing Door. Through these therapies, people who have panic attacks can learn how to control their body’s response.

• Biofeedback allows me to observe my heart rate, breathing and level of muscle tension.
• Neurofeedback helps people develop calm brain states.

They allow clients to discover what their emotions mean and manage how their bodies react to stress when they are first recovering

Why Choose Healing Door Rehab Center?

Healing Door Rehab Center is recognized for treating mental illness holistically, with respect and supported by evidence. No matter the health care setting—inpatient or outpatient—our center in Islamabad provides help:

• Privacy and quiet in the environment aid in recovery
• Multiple healthcare professions partner together in every case.
• Women and trauma survivors are served with specialized counseling programs.
• Following treatment, we need to keep an eye on keeping relapse from happening.

We make sure to treat everyone with respect and see their own story and issues when they come to us.

When Do You Need Outside Assistance?

Should you or anyone you know have frequent panic attacks or strong anxiety in ordinary situations, it’s a good idea to seek support. Managing panic attacks or panic disorder soon gives people a better chance to stay away from depression, alcohol or drug use and social exclusion.

Recovery Is Possible

Panic attacks and panic disorder can be terrifying and demand support and you should never navigate them solo. Thanks to different therapies, useful advice for living and support for the emotions, it’s highly likable that you can recover. At Healing Door Rehab Center, helping you grip your life, attain peace and resume living efficiently is a top goal.

Panic Disorder FAQs

1. Why do some people have panic attacks, while others instead have a panic disorder?

In a panic attack, fear hits you at once and afterwards the body reacts. Sometimes, the trigger isn’t clear. After a number of panic attacks start affecting daily life, it is likely that a panic disorder will be diagnosed. 

2. Do panic attacks go away completely and can’t return?

Even though there is no one solution for everyone, panic attacks and panic disorder can be controlled using therapy, medication and adjusting your lifestyle. A lot of people recover completely using treatments such as CBT and exposure therapy.

3. For how long does treatment last at Healing Door Rehab?

How long treatment lasts depends on each case. Short-term outpatient services last 4–8 weeks, but longer stays in inpatient settings are also possible. We do an assessment tailored to each person to decide the best approach to recovery.

4. Must medications be used in the treatment of panic disorder?

Not always. For some people, therapy on its own is sufficient, but some patients also do better with SSRIs or anti-anxiety agents. At Healing Door, our psychiatrists review every case to determine the best and safest approach for each person.

5. Can women only come to Healing Door Rehab Center?

Both men and women can find treatment programs at Healing Door which also offers treatment just for women. Women who choose a gender-specific setting in care can expect to receive support from our dedicated staff in our specialized women’s center.