Panic attacks can feel frightening, overwhelming, and unpredictable. Many people describe them as sudden surges of intense fear, accompanied by powerful physical sensations such as a racing heart, breathlessness, dizziness, or a fear of losing control.
Although panic attacks are not dangerous, the experience can be so distressing that people begin to fear the attacks themselves. This often leads to constant scanning of the body for symptoms, avoidance of certain places or situations, and a growing sense of restriction in everyday life.
Hypnotherapy can help by addressing the underlying fear response that drives panic attacks. Rather than focusing only on managing symptoms, this approach works to calm the nervous system and break the cycle that keeps panic recurring.
David Samson is an award winning hypnotherapist with over 23 years of experience helping adults overcome panic attacks and panic related anxiety. He works one to one with clients online, offering a calm and confidential environment to understand what triggers panic and how those reactions can change.
Panic disorder can develop at any age, but it often begins in young adulthood and is statistically more common in females than males. Experiencing a single panic attack does not always lead to a diagnosis of panic disorder; many individuals may only have one attack.
The sooner treatment is sought, the less debilitating the condition tends to become. However, repeated panic attacks in specific situations can lead to the development of phobias. For instance, if a panic attack occurs while on a crowded bus, the individual may begin to avoid buses altogether, fearing a recurrence of the attack.
In about 30% of cases, panic disorder can severely limit a person’s activities, leading to agoraphobia, where the fear of panic attacks prevents individuals from leaving their homes. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preventing this progression.
David Samson is an award-winning hypnotherapist with over 23 years of experience supporting adults with panic attacks and panic related anxiety. His work focuses on helping people understand and change the fear responses that trigger and maintain panic attacks.
David works one to one with adults in confidential online sessions. His approach is structured and calm, with an emphasis on reducing panic at its source rather than encouraging avoidance or reliance on coping strategies alone.
Sessions are suitable for people experiencing recurrent panic attacks, panic disorder, or panic linked to specific situations such as travel, crowds, or public spaces.
During hypnotherapy sessions, the therapist works to break the cycle of increased physical sensations that lead to anxiety and, subsequently, more physical symptoms. Several techniques may be employed, including:
Clients learn to enter a deeply relaxed state, using breathing techniques to calm their racing heart and rapid breathing. This process increases oxygen flow to the brain, restoring logical thought processes.
This technique helps clients visualize calming scenarios to prevent a panic attack from escalating.
In a trance state, clients can access their subconscious to uncover the original causes of their panic disorder, often rooted in childhood experiences. By revisiting and reinterpreting these memories, clients can eliminate irrational fears.
