A person suffering from panic disorder has repeated anxiety attacks, which are spikes of intense fear and physical symptoms. The most common are shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pressure, tachycardia, sweat, chills, dizziness, among others. She thinks that something very bad is going to happen, for example, to die, suffocate or go crazy.

 

In general, a panic attack lasts between 4 and 10 minutes, but it seems much longer for people who suffer from the disorder. Then there is a feeling of exhaustion that lasts for hours. It is common for patients with panic disorder to avoid situations considered difficult to deal with, which worsens the problem.

 

It is necessary to treat panic. In therapy, we will seek to replace the beliefs and behaviors that make the disorder worse. You will find that the attacks will subside until they don't bother you anymore. Treatment usually takes 6 to 12 sessions.