Navigating Your Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are disabling mental attacks that can inhibit our daily lives. Nearly 6 million of American adults are affected by panic attacks, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Women are more likely than men to suffer from panic attacks, with nearly half as many men suffering as women. However, scientists are not entirely positive about the causes. Some panic disorders are genetic, but with so many different channels of anxiety and fear found in the brain, it is nearly impossible to track every reason that a panic attack may occur. It is through continued research of fear and anxiety in the brain that scientists are able to move closer to treatment of a panic disorder.

With that being said, there are a myriad of resources available to those that suffer from panic attacks, one of which is seeking therapy here in Boulder, CO. First, let’s start by addressing some common signs and symptoms of panic disorder: sudden feelings of fear and anxiety, an out of control feeling during the attack, worry about the next attack, avoidance or fear of locations from prior attacks. Moreover, the physical signs during a panic attack can include: racing/pounding heart, trouble breathing, sweating, dizziness/weakness, temperature swings, numbness in hands, or chest and/or stomach pain.

If you’ve suffered from these symptoms or recognize the signs in your life, please call us at (720) 387-8458 or request an appointment online at Metis Center for Psychological Services.