Understanding Panic Disorder
If you’ve had at least four panic attacks and regularly worry that you’ll experience another one, you may have panic disorder. In some cases, this type of anxiety can make it difficult for people to leave their homes since they may worry about when and where their next panic attack will occur.
What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?
Panic attacks cause someone to feel an overwhelming sense of fear. During one of these attacks, you may experience:
- Trembling and shaking
- Numbness
- Hot flashes or chills
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness and dizziness
- A pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- A choking sensation
- Nausea and stomach pain
- Fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying
- A sensation of being disconnected or unreal
While some panic attacks subside within just a few minutes, others last more than an hour, depending on the frequency, duration, and severity of panic attacks, panic disorder can sometimes become disabling, preventing someone from holding a job and engaging in other regular activities.
How Is Panic Disorder Treated?
Treatment for panic disorder varies from person to person, and a trained provider can recommend the most appropriate approach for your specific needs. With that said, panic disorder treatment often involves:
- Taking medication (e.g., anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant medication)
- Attending counseling
- Learning coping skills and relaxation techniques
Offering Help With Anxiety Disorders
Our team has extensive experience treating various types of anxiety, including panic disorder, so if you need assistance, contact us today. We’ll be glad to schedule a therapy session at a date and time of your choosing. We look forward to helping you take the first step toward managing your anxiety.
Here’s How Music Therapy Can Help Individuals With Panic Disorders:
*Anxiety Reduction
*Breathing and Heart Rate Regulation
*Progressive Muscle Relaxation
*Distracting from Panic Triggers:
Engaging in musical activities or focusing on the music can distract from panic triggers or intrusive thoughts. Individuals can divert their focus from the panic-inducing stimuli by directing their attention to the music.
*Emotional Expression:
Music provides a creative outlet for emotional expression. Individuals with panic disorders may have difficulty expressing their emotions verbally, but through music, they can communicate their feelings and experiences, which can be therapeutic and validating.
*Self-Soothing:
Learning to play a musical instrument or sing can empower individuals to self-soothe when panic symptoms arise. It provides them with a constructive coping mechanism to manage panic episodes.
*Cognitive Restructuring:
Music therapy can incorporate lyric analysis, where individuals explore the meaning and emotions behind song lyrics. This can help identify and challenge negative thought patterns associated with panic, a key aspect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
*Mindfulness and Grounding:
Music therapy sessions can include mindfulness techniques set to music, helping individuals stay in the present moment and avoid catastrophic thinking associated with panic attacks. Grounding exercises using music can also provide stability during panic episodes.
*Gradual Exposure:
Music therapy can facilitate gradual exposure for individuals with specific triggers or phobias that lead to panic attacks. This involves listening to music associated with the trigger in a controlled and safe environment to desensitize the fear response.
*Improved Coping Skills
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