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Hypnotherapy for Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

Hypnotherapy can help you break the panic attack cycle and reduce your anxiety by resolving the thoughts and reactions that create them, allowing you to feel calm and in control again.

Panic attacks are an extreme fear response which happens when your body's natural 'alarm system' is triggered disproportionately to what's happening at the time. This can lead to exaggerated and distressing symptoms and their onset can be repaid, intense and frightening. Panic attacks often occur when you are already experiencing heightened anxiety in your daily life. Thankfully hypnotherapy can help you overcome panic and anxiety using a combination of positive talking therapy with hypnosis.

What is a panic attack?


A panic attack is an intense, exaggerated fear reaction with no obvious cause. Having one can be an uncomfortable and distressing experience, both emotionally and physically. It can last from five to twenty minutes or sometimes longer and might be a single or occasional experience or part of a more frequent pattern. Panic attacks can make you feel as though you’ve lost control, or that you may be having a medical crisis. Panic attacks can be caused by past trauma, phobias, or generalised anxiety and ongoing stress. While deeply unpleasant, panic attacks in themselves are not harmful, and can be treated with Hypnotherapy.

What does a panic attack feel like?

Having a panic attack can be an alarming ordeal. When a person has a panic attack, they will experience a sudden and intense feeling of fear. Panic attacks can take many different forms but some of the symptoms you might experience include:

  • An intense feeling of dread
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pounding heart
  • Feeling hot or cold
  • Feeling sick
  • Feeling faint or dizzy
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Churning stomach and/or needing to go to the toilet

What causes panic attacks to happen?

Panic attacks are caused by anxiety and our fear of our anxiety. There is often a triggering event which increases your anxiety levels and it’s the way that you perceive and respond to the increase in bodily symptoms which may or may not cause a full blown panic attack. This means that panic attacks happen when you catastrophize about the physical symptoms associated with your anxiety.

So, the simplest way to understand panic is that it is caused by your fear and anxiety about your anxiety - you have anxiety about having more anxiety. And people who worry about their panic, and who take steps to try to prevent the possibility of having more are likely to keep them coming back and may suffer from panic disorder.

How does hypnotherapy stop Panic Attacks?

Hypnotherapy can help you overcome the panic attack cycle because the integrative approach combines positive talking therapy, (psychotherapy), with hypnosis, and neuroscience principles that help reduce your anxiety and the triggers which lead to panic, this allows you to build your confidence and resilience as you gradually regain control over these distressing symptoms and feel calm and more confident again.

In your Initial Consultation you’ll discuss the what’s happening now and how you want to be feeling again in the future, when things are better. You’ll learn exactly what is happening in your mind and body when panic attacks happen and importantly, practical ways to use your mind and body in a positive way in those moments to take control and begins establishing long lasting change.

In subsequent Hypnotherapy sessions, solution focused talking combined with hypnosis will help calm your physical and emotional symptoms, build resilience and develop changes that reduce your anxiety and panic response, so you feel more at ease and in control. Unlike traditional therapy, which may delve extensively into past experiences, emotions, and traumas, hypnotherapy typically focuses on your future and emphasises practical solutions building on your strengths and resources to create change quickly that brings about lasting and beneficial changes in the way you think, and respond to situations in your daily life.

Hypnosis allows your brain to consolidate the changes faster than just talking therapy alone, so we can address your issues both consciously and subconsciously. It’s a relaxing experience that helps you to overcome your issues at a deeper level by harnessing the power of your subconscious mind accessed through guided visualisation and suggestions designed for your benefit.

What happens during hypnosis for panic attacks?

During hypnosis, you enter a deeply relaxed state, whilst remaining in control. You’ll begin to experience changes in your brain wave patterns which leads to increased suggestibility as the conscious part of your brain quietens down, which is crucial for effective hypnosis as it allows the subconscious mind to bypass the critical and analytical functions of the conscious mind.

Your subconscious mind absorbs suggestions which are designed to help you develop more helpful and healthier patterns of thought to break free from the cycle of anxiety and panic. You’ll often hear suggestions provided in a symbolic and metaphorical way along with positive reinforcement, framing suggestions positively with repetition to strengthen their effect. Guided visualisation helps embed the suggestions deeply into your subconscious mind too. Overall, you can expect a deeply relaxing and uplifting experience which many describe as guided daydreaming.

You can experience hypnosis now by listening to my free guided hypnosis meditation below. Please do not listen if you are driving, operating machinery or doing anything that requires your full attention.

Listen to Hypnosis now

Meet Andrew Major

Your Solution Focused Hypnotherapist HPD | DSFH

I understand how the issues of stress and anxiety can creep up and affect your life. My own journey has had its ups and downs which became the catalyst that led me to invest in myself and train to become a professional therapist to help others transform their mental wellbeing. So, I understand you need support from someone that listens and cares.

Today, I'm an experienced professional and qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and I'm passionate about my work. I've helped hundreds of clients like you around the world transform their life, using a powerful combination of solution focused psychotherapy with hypnosis, creating lasting and positive changes so they can live life to the full. If you’re ready for change, I’d love to help you too.

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How many hypnotherapy sessions are required for panic attacks?

Typically, you will require around 6 – 8 hypnotherapy sessions to overcome panic and anxiety related conditions. Factors such as the severity and frequency of your panic attacks along with other contributing issues such as the amount of stress and pressure you currently experience in life will also influence the number of sessions required. The good news is that it is common to begin noticing some positive changes quickly, even after the first session as you begin tofeel calmer and more in control.

The initial consultation is the beginning of real focus and change, one of the most important sessions. Whilst we’ll talk about what has been happening and how that has affected your life, and importantly you’ll learn why panic attacks happen and how anxiety affects your mind and body. This helps you understand how you can begin to use your brain in a more positive way as we begin hypnotherapy sessions, tailoring the approach to suit your needs. Several sessions are required because hypnotherapy helps you reshape the way your mind thinks and reacts which takes a little practice and repetition.

Does hypnotherapy really work for Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder?

Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for Panic Attacks, Anxiety Attacks, and Panic Disorder reducing their frequency and severity. Clients often notice results after their first session because hypnotherapy can help you break the cycle of panic and anxiety which leads to long term recovery. During hypnosis, you’ll experience deep states relaxation, which can help reduce your overall anxiety and stress levels, promoting a sense of calm as you regain control.

Hypnotherapy sessions also help you learn strategies for long lasting change too, because hypnotherapy is a brain-based therapy. You’ll learn what causes panic attacks and anxiety, importantly you’ll learn how to begin using your brain in a more positive way to reframe negative thoughts or beliefs which gives you greater control in times of stress so your emotions do not become overwhelming and subsequent panic attacks are stopped before they begin.

In my practice online, I’ve been specialising in helping clients online with hypnotherapy for panic and anxiety since 2018, it’s been so rewarding to see and hear how the positive changes achieved has helped enjoy life again.

READY TO GET STARTED

With the right support change is possible. Hypnotherapy is tailored to your needs and combines talking therapy with hypnosis to create the long-lasting solutions and change you need. Here's how it works:


1. BOOK AN INITIAL CHAT

It's FREE and we use this time to see if we're a good fit, answer your questions and ensure hypnotherapy is the best approach to achieve your results.

2. ASSESS & SUPPORT

Together we explore your needs and create a personalised treatment plan to achieve the changes you are looking for and we'll get started with individual sessions.

3. POSITIVE CHANGE

No more living with Anxiety and Stress, as you take control of your thoughts, you gain control over your feelings, actions and behaviours so you live life to the full.

What are the benefits of hypnotherapy for panic attacks and panic disorder?

There are a number of emotional and physical benefits which can be achieved with hypnotherapy to help you overcome panic attacks, panic disorder and anxiety in general. Having supported numerous clients navigate and overcome their struggles with anxiety online, the benefit of hypnotherapy is unique for each client, however, there are some common benefits and positive changes which are often experienced, which are fundamental in overcoming panic and anxiety long term. Here are some of the common benefits you can expect from hypnotherapy for panic attacks:

  • Learn strategies to calm and regulate your nervous system
  • Reduce physical sensations and symptoms of anxiety
  • Release muscle tension in your body
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Enjoy better social interactions
  • Reduced stress: Experience deep relaxation, lowering overall stress levels
  • Identifying and understanding the triggers which lead to targeted intervention
  • Strategies for cognitive restructuring as you learn to challenges negative thought patterns and mistaken beliefs
  • Developing better coping strategies building more positive behavioural changes
  • Increased self-awareness enhancing your understanding of your emotions and triggers
  • Long-term Relief: Provides lasting symptom relief and cultivates resilience

What’s the difference between panic attacks and panic disorder?

Panic attacks are sudden and intense episodes of fear or discomfort that arise unexpectedly. They are characterized by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath, along with cognitive symptoms like racing thoughts and fear of losing control. Panic attacks are not always triggered by specific cues and can also be triggered by phobias or specific situations. They involve a rush of adrenaline and noradrenaline, heightening physiological responses.

Panic disorder is diagnosed when you experience recurrent panic attacks, followed by persistent concerns about having more attacks or experiencing specific symptoms such as derealization or fear of certain outcomes like a heart attack or passing out.

How can you help someone who is having a panic attack?

Helping someone who is experiencing a panic attack requires calm support and reassurance. When you are calm, it helps them feel safer and prevents further escalation and stops additional worry for the person involved. It can be helpful to guide them through calming techniques which engage the body’s own natural relaxation response. To explore the steps in detail, I explain more about what do here in my recent blog ‘How to Help Someone Having a Panic Attack’.

Can you experience anxiety attacks and panic attacks at the same time?

Yes, it’s important to understand that you can experience anxiety and panic at the same time. For example, sometimes, anxiety about a situation can escalate and result in a panic attack.

For example, a person who has a fear of flying may experience increasing anxiety as their trip to the airport and flight approaches. This heightened anxiety can lead to physical symptoms like a racing heart and shortness of breath. This can lead to a sudden and intense surge of fear and discomfort which could result in a panic attack.

Understand the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks is helpful, because it means you can take the right steps to navigate anxiety and panic in a more practical way that allows you to resolve it more effectively. In my recent video, I explain these difference and what steps you can take to begin taking control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hypnotherapy safe for treating panic attacks?

Yes, hypnotherapy is generally considered safe for treating panic attacks when conducted by a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist. It is important to choose a reputable professional who specialises in anxiety and panic disorders. They will guide you through the process, ensuring your safety and well-being throughout the sessions.

How does hypnosis differ from other treatments for panic attacks, such as medication or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)?

Hypnosis offers an alternative approach to managing panic attacks by harnessing the power of your subconscious mind. Unlike medication, which targets symptoms, hypnosis addresses the underlying psychological factors contributing to panic attacks. While CBT focuses on changing behaviour and thought patterns through conscious effort, hypnosis accesses deeper levels of your mind to promote positive lasting change.

Does Online Hypnotherapy work for panic attacks?

Online hypnotherapy is very effective for anxiety related conditions. In fact, some people prefer working online with their therapist because they are more relaxed and comfortable in their own space or home. Also, there is no need to travel to see your therapists because online hypnotherapy is just as effective as working face to face. You also have flexibility because our sessions can take place wherever you are in the world via Zoom, and I often work with clients based in the US, Europe and around the world from my UK practice.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works for anxiety by combining positive talking therapy and coaching with hypnosis. During the first half of the session, we talk and avoid past problems, and instead focus on the future. You're encouraged to think and express yourself in a positive way which helps you to reduce your anxiety. Because hypnotherapy is a brain-based therapy, you'll also learn how the brain works in relation to your issues, but importantly what can be done to help you make changes to stop the cycle of anxiety so you can regain control and feel better.

Hypnosis reduces anxiety by using guided relaxation techniques to calm your body and mind. As you listen to your therapist, you will be guided into a relaxed state of focused attention by asking you to imagine certain things. Positive suggestions are made to help you make changes subconsciously by encouraging a shift in perspective. It allows your mind to reflect on the ideas and solutions discussed during our session to understand how they can help you.

What happens at an initial consultation?

The initial consultation and assessment is one of the most important sessions, the beginning of real focus and change. Together we'll explore what you want to achieve and how many sessions may be required. I'll explain how hypnotherapy works and I'll briefly explore how the mind works in relation to your issues and how if you're willing to make changes, hypnotherapy can help you achieve your goals. You'll also receive a complimentary guided hypnotic relaxation audio track to listen to at home which sets the wheels in motion for your subsequent sessions.

What is the hypnotherapy session duration?

Typical hypnotherapy sessions last between around 50 – 60 minutes. Approximately half the session is talk therapy followed by relaxing hypnosis for the remaining time. Shorter or more extended sessions may be recommended based on your specific gaols and the therapeutic approach required.

Can hypnotherapy help with other mental health conditions?

Yes, hypnotherapy can help with other mental health conditions, which are often cause by or made worse by stress and anxiety such as depression, panic disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and insomnia. Hypnotherapy can also help you increase your self-esteem and confidence, overcome fears and phobias, stop procrastination, and manage chronic pain.


If you have any queries or questions about Hypnotherapy our would like to read 2024's most frequently asked questions on Hypnotherapy.

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YOUR POSITIVE CHANGES START WITH AN INITIAL CHAT

During this call we will:

  • Talk about the problems you're experiencing
  • Explain how to overcome them
  • Tell you how hypnotherapy actually works
  • Explain the best treatments options
  • Answer all of your questions

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