Panic Attacks: Understanding, Managing, and Regaining Control
- Moe | Scarlet Plus
- Feb 24
- 4 min read
How Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health Can Help you with Understanding Panic Attacks
Imagine your heart racing, chest tightening, and breathing becoming shallow—all without warning. Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that can happen to anyone, often without an obvious trigger. While they aren’t life-threatening, they can feel terrifying and leave individuals fearing when the next one might strike.
At Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health, we understand how panic attacks can disrupt daily life and cause emotional distress. Our team provides compassionate, evidence-based treatments to help you manage panic attacks, reduce their frequency, and regain control.
On this page:
1. What Is a Panic Attack and Why Does It Happen?
A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear or anxiety that usually peaks within 10 minutes but can leave lingering effects for hours. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, panic attacks can stem from stress, trauma, genetics, or underlying anxiety disorders.
Common symptoms of a panic attack include:
💓 Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
😵 Dizziness or lightheadedness
😮💨 Shortness of breath or choking sensation
🥶 Sweating or chills
😨 Fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying
💥 Chest pain or discomfort (often mistaken for a heart attack)
🤯 Nausea or abdominal distress
🌪️ Feeling detached from reality or yourself (derealization or depersonalization)
At Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health, we help individuals identify triggers and understand the physical and emotional aspects of panic attacks, providing personalized strategies to manage them effectively.
2. How Panic Attacks Affect Your Daily Life
Beyond the immediate physical symptoms, panic attacks can significantly impact your overall well-being. Many people begin to fear future attacks, which can lead to avoidance behaviors and limit daily activities.
Ways panic attacks can disrupt your life:
🚪 Avoiding Certain Places: Fear of having an attack in public can lead to isolation.
📉 Reduced Work Performance: Difficulty concentrating or attending work due to anxiety.
😞 Strained Relationships: Constant worry can strain communication and connection with loved ones.
😴 Sleep Disturbances: Fear and anxiety may interfere with falling or staying asleep.
⚠️ Agoraphobia: Some individuals develop a fear of leaving their home or being in unfamiliar environments.
At Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health, we provide comprehensive care to address not just the panic attacks themselves, but their wider impact on your lifestyle and relationships.
3. Practical Strategies to Manage Panic Attacks
When a panic attack strikes, it can feel like you have no control—but there are techniques to reduce the intensity and regain calm. Practicing these strategies regularly can also help prevent future attacks.
Effective ways to cope with panic attacks:
✅ Deep Breathing Exercises: Slow, steady breaths calm your body’s stress response.
✅ Grounding Techniques: Focus on your surroundings using the 5-4-3-2-1 method (identify five things you can see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste).
✅ Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tense and release muscle groups to reduce physical tension.
✅ Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself, “This will pass,” or “I am safe.”
✅ Mindful Observation: Watch your thoughts without judgment and allow them to pass.
✅ Reduce Stimulants: Limiting caffeine and sugar can help prevent triggering symptoms.
At Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health, our therapists teach and practice these techniques with clients, helping them feel prepared and confident in managing their symptoms.
4. When to Seek Professional Help for Panic Attacks
Occasional anxiety is normal, but frequent panic attacks or persistent fear of future attacks can indicate Panic Disorder, which is highly treatable. Seeking professional support can reduce the frequency, severity, and impact of panic attacks on your life.
Consider reaching out if you:
🚩 Experience panic attacks regularly or unexpectedly.
🚩 Avoid places or activities due to fear of an attack.
🚩 Notice panic symptoms affecting work, school, or relationships.
🚩 Feel anxious about having another attack, even when calm.
🚩 Experience worsening symptoms despite self-help strategies.
🚩 Have physical symptoms that need to be ruled out by a healthcare provider.
At Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health, we offer personalized treatment plans, including therapy, stress-management techniques, and, when appropriate, medication to help you reclaim control over your life.
Conclusion: You Can Overcome Panic Attacks
Panic attacks may feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to control your life. With the right support, coping strategies, and professional guidance, you can reduce their frequency and intensity, restoring peace and confidence.
At Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health, we are dedicated to helping you navigate anxiety and panic with compassion and expertise. Our goal is to empower you with practical tools and ongoing support for lasting relief.
👉 Don’t let panic hold you back—reach out today and start your journey toward calm and control.
Take the First Step with Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health
Beginning your journey toward better mental health is a courageous move, and finding the best psychiatrist is a crucial part of that process.
If you're looking for a psychiatrist in Arlington, TX | Dallas, TX | Fort-Worth, TX, Mansfield, TX, Adelson Behavioral & Mental Health is ready to help. We offer personalized and empathetic care tailored to your unique needs.