If you have ever experienced a panic attack, you know just how scary and intense they can be. You may feel like you are dying or that you can't function anymore. It is important to remember that there IS hope. Counseling interventions for panic and anxiety disorders are really effective. And, with the help of a counselor, you can learn to manage your symptoms and get your life back on track.

Living With Panic Attacks is Hard....Beyond Hard

Panic attacks are debilitating. It's scary. Sometimes people even worry that they're having heart attack or have another physical health issue so serious that it may be life threatening. And so, people with panic attacks often seek out help from a medical professional to rule out any physical health concerns.

But even after getting a clean bill of health, living with panic attacks can be really tough. Many people start to rely heavily on anxiety medication to get through the day-scheduled daily medication as well as PRN medication for when that panic starts to creep up.

But it's more just needing to take medication. Avoiding a panic attack can start to rule a person's life. Maybe you don't go to work because you're afraid you'll have one there. Or , you don't go out with friends because what if you have a panic attack in public? You might even stop doing things you love because of the fear that a panic attack will strike. All of this can make a person feel really isolated and alone. And you may begin to worry you'll never be able to lead a normal life again.

You wonder, “Is this my new normal?” or “Will I always have panic attacks?”

As an anxiety therapist, what breaks my heart as an anxiety therapist is when people start to just accept that this fear of anxiety & panic is going to play a major role in their life. They think, "well, this is just how it is now". And so they live their lives in a way that accommodates the anxiety instead of living their life and managing the anxiety.

Maybe you can relate. Maybe you've changed jobs, lost friends after canceling plans too many times, or stopped doing things you love. And all the while, you continue to live in fear of when the next panic attack will hit.

But I want you to know that it doesn't have to be this way. There is hope for managing your anxiety and living a life that isn't ruled by fear.

But There Is Hope & Effective Treatment for Panic Attacks & Anxiety Disorders

If you can relate to any of this, I want you to know that there is hope. Counseling interventions for panic and anxiety disorders are really effective. And, with the help of a counselor, you can learn to face your fear and get your life back on track.

Panic Attacks Respond VERY Well to Treatment

I often say that my specialties as a mental health clinician are driven by my desire to want to feel effective. In other words, I focus on treating things that I KNOW I can help. I want to see the vast, vast majority of my clients get BETTER.

And...that's why treating Panic Disorder is one of my favorite things to treat as a counselor. I know most of my clients get better. Much better. And often with less therapy than it takes to treat some other mental health concerns like depression, complex PTSD or addiction.

Through counseling, you can learn a variety of new coping skills to try when anxiety does hit. Then, you can learn new ways to think about your anxiety and use exposure interventions (the hardest part, but we won't go there until you're ready) to really get to the source of the issue and face your fear head on. That exposure piece helps the anxiety really decrease in how often it comes up and how intense it feels.

In other words, therapists who really specialize in anxiety aren't just shooting from the hip when you come into counseling. We have really specific, evidence based counseling interventions that can truly help you get free from living in fear of when the next anxiety spiral or panic attack will hit.

That Doesn't Mean It's Easy

I'm not saying it'll be easy to face the anxiety & panic. Honestly, it's really hard to really face that fear and fully engage in counseling. But, the alternative is to keep living a life that's ruled by anxiety. And, how difficult is that? How long do you really think you can or want to keep living that way?

You Deserve Help For Your Panic Attacks

Every single day I hear about someone who either doesn't think they can be helped or just thinks it will be too hard to come into counseling. And that breaks my heart. Because I know what help and hope feels like. And it's so worth it to really face the fear and get help for panic attacks. You deserve to be the less anxious, more confident version of yourself that I know you can be. Your family and friends deserve that version of you. And, it's possible to be that version of you.

Looking for More Information About Panic Attacks & Anxiety Disorders?

If this post resonates with you in any way, or if you have questions about treatment for panic attacks or anxiety disorders, please reach out to me. I would be more than happy to talk with you about counseling options and help you get started on the path to a calmer life

If you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, please reach out for help. There are counselors who specialize in treating anxiety disorders and we can help. Don't give up hope or accept this as your new normal. It truly doesn't have to be.

A few other blog posts our counselors have written that you may find helpful include:

• Everything You Need to Know About Panic Attacks

• Panic Attacks vs. Anxiety Attacks

• Common Types of Anxiety Disorders

• The Power of Exposure to Treat Anxiety

Counseling for Panic & Anxiety in Missouri

If you're struggling with panic attacks or anxiety, please reach out for help. There are people who can help you get your life back. You don't have to live in fear . You deserve help. And, there is hope. It IS possible to get control over the panic attacks and take back your own life.

Also, it’s important to note that panic attacks don’t always happen in a vacuum. Many, many times there may be other mental health issues you are struggling with. Perhaps you’ve experienced a trauma and things that remind you of the past are some of the triggers for your panic attacks. Maybe at this point you’re depressed after months of living with the panic. Or, it could be that you just have some generalized anxiety. Regardless, our therapists are here to support you in every area of your life as you move toward better mental health.

Call (573-328-2288) or reach out to our team online. We offer counseling at our Columbia, MO counseling office. We also have counselors in a couple other parts of the state (including the Kansas City area) who can offer Walk & Talk counseling. Then, online counseling allows us to work with clients anywhere in the state of Missouri. So, don't let location be a barrier. We're here to help.