Panic attacks and panic disorder

A panic attack is a sudden attack of intense fear and anxiety that often comes without warning. It is characterized by strong physical symptoms such as pounding heart, shaking, feeling suffocated or dizzy, and is accompanied by a fear of losing control, going crazy or dying. Many people who experience their first panic attack feel like they are having a heart attack or are “going crazy” – it is a very frightening experience. Panic disorder occurs when panic attacks recur and a person begins to live in fear of another attack. This anxiety disorder can significantly affect the quality of life.

Symptoms of a panic attack

Typical symptoms of a panic attack include:

• An intense feeling of fear or panic for no apparent reason
• Heart palpitations and rapid heartbeat
• Sweating, shaking, and hot flashes or chills
• Difficulty breathing, feeling of choking or chest pressure
• Dizziness, nausea, or tingling in the extremities
• Fear of dying, fainting, or losing control

These symptoms usually peak within a few minutes and then subside. Although the panic attack itself doesn't last long, it leaves behind exhaustion and worry about when the next one will come.

Impacts on daily life

Living with panic disorder can be very difficult. The constant fear of another anxiety attack can lead to anticipatory anxiety – a person is constantly tense and monitors their body sensations to see if another attack is coming. Many people start to avoid places or situations where they have had a panic attack, or from which it would be difficult to get to safety quickly in the event of an attack. This can mean avoiding shopping malls, public transport, crowds, but also driving far from home. In the most severe cases, people with panic disorder may be afraid to leave their home (developing agoraphobia). Panic attacks can limit their working life (for example, fear of work meetings or presentations), social life (avoiding meeting friends) and their overall ability to function in everyday situations. This can gradually be accompanied by low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness or even depression from constant stress.

Treatment of panic attacks at the NEO Center

The good news is that panic disorder is treatable. At NEO Center, we offer professional help for managing panic attacks and long-term treatment of panic disorder. Our team of experienced therapists will help you understand your anxiety and teach you how to manage anxiety and panic attacks. Treatment of panic attacks and panic disorder usually includes psychotherapy, which focuses on changing thought patterns and reactions leading to anxiety. In more serious cases, treatment can also be supported by appropriate medication (for example, modern antidepressants that reduce long-term anxiety), which we provide in cooperation with a psychiatrist. However, our main emphasis is on the client learning to manage panic attacks and prevent them, primarily through psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.

Outpatient therapy

For clients who attend sessions and continue with their normal lives, we provide outpatient therapy. During individual sessions in a safe environment, you will discuss your anxiety triggers and practice techniques to prevent or stop panic attacks in the first place. For example, you will learn breathing and relaxation exercises to calm your body, grounding techniques at the moment of an attack, or gradual exposure to feared situations (controlled exposure) with the support of a therapist. Such regular therapeutic support will allow you to gradually regain control of your life.

Residential therapy program

For those whose difficulties are so severe that they interfere with daily functioning, or who want more intensive care, there is a residential program at the NEO Center. It is an intensive treatment stay of several weeks in the calm and supportive environment of our clinic. Every day you will undergo multiple therapeutic activities - individual therapy, group therapy, relaxation training and another support program. Residential treatment allows you to fully focus on yourself and managing panic disorder without the distractions of the external environment. Thanks to comprehensive care (including medical supervision, if necessary) and the support of experts, you can achieve significant progress in a shorter time.

Coping techniques and long-term support

Whether you choose outpatient or inpatient treatment, the goal is for you to leave us equipped with practical tools for managing anxiety in everyday life. As part of the therapy, you will learn to recognize the warning signs of impending panic attacks in good time and learn effective methods to reduce anxiety – from proper breathing, to relaxing muscle tension, to working with negative thoughts. In addition to acute management of attacks, we will also discuss with you overall mental hygiene and prevention of recurrence of problems: how to manage stress, how to adjust your lifestyle (e.g. getting enough sleep, exercise, limiting caffeine) and how to prevent the accumulation of anxiety in the long term. NEO Centrum also offers follow-up care and support so that clients continue to feel confident after completing therapy and have someone to turn to if needed.

Don't let anxiety dictate your life.

We understand that everyone who has experienced a panic attack wants to avoid a repeat of such an unpleasant state. Panic disorder can exhaust a person, isolate them and deprive them of the joy of life. However, it is important to know that you are not alone - many people deal with similar problems and there is effective help. You do not have to wait for panic attacks to completely turn your life upside down. The sooner you seek professional help, the faster you will feel relief. At NEO Center, we approach each client individually and with empathy. We respect your pace and possibilities, provide a safe space for sharing concerns and gradual steps towards recovery. If you are troubled by panic attacks and anxiety, do not hesitate to contact us - together we will find a way to return peace and balance to your life.