Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurring sudden panic attacks, often experienced as an intense fear or discomfort when no dangers or triggers are present. It may be debilitating, happening as frequently as several times per day.
This condition affects an estimated 2.7% of U.S. adults and tends to affect females more frequently than males. However, this condition is very treatable, and recovery is possible through comprehensive care plans. The journey to recovery varies from person to person, making personalized care plans particularly important. They often include therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments.
Your First Steps Toward Panic Disorder Recovery
Early treatment is often the most effective, so those suspecting they may have a panic disorder should seek help as soon as possible. At Beachway, we use several therapy methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-focused therapy, and solution-focused therapy (SFBT).
Treatment often incorporates medication to assist in recovery. However, it can take time to find the right one. Our on-staff psychiatrist works with each patient to identify medications that work best for them. If an individual enters our treatment program with a co-occurring substance abuse disorder, we help them detox comfortably and find a solution that works best for their needs.
Panic attacks can be spurred by all sorts of triggers or, in some cases, by no triggers at all. We provide a safe, therapeutic environment to help patients feel comfortable enough to develop new ways to deal with anxiety and stress. However, we understand that it’s not always possible to accurately identify the exact origin or reason why someone may be prone to panic attacks.
Managing Panic Attacks: Techniques and Strategies for Anxiety Attacks
Many people find they can control their anxiety attacks with preventative strategies. Breathing exercises, for example, can calm the body, which helps calm the mind, as the two are intricately linked.
Mindfulness meditation can also help quell feelings of anxiety. This helps bring patients into a quiet, nonjudgmental awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.
By developing coping strategies, it’s often possible to get ahead of feelings of anxiety before they can become full panic attacks.
Holistic Panic Attack Treatment
At Beachway, we emphasize extensive holistic treatments designed to teach patients skills that can help prevent or mitigate panic attacks. These often include somatic breathwork, mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. We also implement nontraditional approaches to help patients on their journey to wellness, such as:
- Art therapy: Art therapy helps patients process and explore their emotions and thoughts, which often helps them express things they may struggle to discuss.
- Equine therapy: Introducing patients to horses in equine therapy can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Music therapy: This type of therapy can help individuals improve communication, address primal fears, recall memories, and manage emotions. Beachway offers two types of music therapy: actively playing instruments and listening-based therapy.
- Massage therapy: Massage therapy can help increase serotonin and dopamine levels while decreasing cortisol levels caused by stress. It effectively reduces anxiety while building trust and helping the patient reconnect with their body and develop better body awareness.
These alternative therapeutic techniques often aren’t enough to fully treat and manage a panic disorder, so they’re used in tandem with medical and clinical treatment.
Anxiety & Panic Attack Recovery in Florida
A supportive community can be a major benefit during recovery from anxiety and panic attack disorders. Patients at Beachway’s South Florida facility can work on their healing while enjoying a comfortable stay.
Lifestyle changes are often key to managing anxiety and panic attacks. These may include cutting out coffee or getting outdoors. With close proximity to natural areas and the beach, these opportunities abound at Beachway. Each patient’s path to recovery occurs in a beautiful community under the guidance of an expert to improve outcomes.
The Long-Term Course of Panic Disorder
Longitudinal studies show that panic disorder is treatable, especially through the use of mindfulness-based CBT. However, ongoing support and long-term management strategies are necessary due to the potential for relapse. These may include medication or long-term therapy.
Can You Fully Recover From Panic Disorder?
While panic disorder is treatable, it typically isn’t curable. In other words, patients are likely to see reductions in frequency as they develop strategies for coping with panic attacks. We can’t guarantee panic attacks will never recur, but we can equip each patient with tools to help them continue to cope post-treatment.
What Is Life Like For a Person With Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder can be debilitating, especially if the panic attacks happen frequently. Some people describe a panic attack as feeling like they’re about to die or suffer a heart attack. It can cause a racing heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, and muscle tension, alongside intense anxiety and fear.
These symptoms can make it difficult to get through day-to-day life, disrupting regular activities or creating a fear of going out in public. It can be worsened by lifestyle choices, such as drinking caffeinated drinks excessively or working a high-stress job.
How Do You Break a Panic Disorder Cycle?
The most effective way to interrupt the cycle of panic attacks is through continuous, proactive management. At Beachway, we provide patients with immediate relief techniques, such as medical assistance and 24/7 supportive staff, to help disrupt a panic attack.
Beachway's Approach to Mitigating Panic Attack Triggers
Beachway takes a comprehensive approach to managing panic attacks based on individual circumstances and triggers. We provide a therapeutic environment to encourage patients to open up and learn new ways to deal with their anxiety.
Throughout treatment, patients undergo regular evaluation by on-staff psychiatrists who create medication-assisted treatment plans or other treatment options to ease patients into a state where they can engage clinically and learn to self-regulate. Biology, psychology, and social factors all play a part in evaluation. This includes considering genetic predispositions and multifactorial causes, such as trauma, life stressors, or biochemical imbalances.
Receive Anxiety and Panic Attack Treatment at Beachway
Beachway offers holistic anxiety treatment in Florida. Taking an individualized approach to panic attacks and anxiety treatment helps patients reduce the frequency of panic attacks. A combination of medication, therapies, and coping mechanisms often helps patients find relief, allowing them to regain control over their lives and reintegrate into their old daily routine.
Reach out to Beachway today to begin the journey to a brighter tomorrow.