Advice on different types of therapy for constant panic attacks

[Paul09111]

Hi everyone,
                     Hi a male, 40, and I've been dealing with depression and underlying anxiety for most of my life, and panic attacks since I was 18. Lately my panic attacks have been so debilitating I've lost my job and had to move back in with my parents.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any specific type of therapy for panic attacks? My I just have a lot of trouble regulating my emotions around pretty standard things like being turned down by a girl or not getting a job. 

I've read things like D.A.R.E and Hope and Self Help for Your Nerves, and these have offered me some help, but I need someone to talk to frequently. 

I've been to a string of therapists over the years, and I've never understood what the 'process' is for any of them. There are so many different kinds, and I just get so confused. I tend to just go to one who seems nice enough.

Unfortunately, most of the discussion seems to focus on my childhood and why I feel the way I do all the time. I can understand where they're coming from, but I find this process hasn't helped for me. I am extremely lucky that my I have a great relationship with my family, and I have never experienced any significant trauma.  This process of digging into my past to find the cause of this has been going on for years and hasn't helped me at all, and I get very frustrated going over the same old ground again and again.

Any advice or suggestions would be great. 
Thanks!

[Ru-bee]

Hi @Paul09111 and welcome to the forums!

I'm very interested to see which therapy types have helped anyone in our community here with panic attacks. 

I agree that sometimes the process of therapy can be a bit unclear, and while having a therapist who you feel safe and comfortable with is a big factor, therapy modalities can also definitely play a part.

When you mentioned that you haven't felt exploring your childhood helpful, CBT (or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) sprang to mind, at it primarily looks the present an explores what your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are in certain situations and how these affect your mental wellbeing. It is also quite a structured modality, with some therapists creating plans with you as a part of the sessions. I have personally seen a psychologist who specialised in CBT and while it was really helpful in some areas, I ended up seeking another modality because I wanted to go into the childhood stuff! 

Again, I'd be really interested to hear from others on what has worked best for them. 

[Paul09111]

Thanks for the reply Ru-Bee. I did have some CBT as well, but I felt like I was constantly at war inside my own head trying to 'fight' these negative thoughts. Although I was much younger and I'll admit I didn't really understand what the point really was.
Hope yours has helped!

[Oaktree]

Hi @Paul09111 

I just wanted to welcome you to the forums. I have experience with anxiety but not with panic attacks so I don't have anything to suggest for you. I hope that someone will come along who can offer you some hope. I wish you luck in your journey.

[Lapis_Anteater]

Hey @Paul09111 

Sounds like you been through a lot and have tried different things that haven’t worked. It’s understandable that you feel frustrated. I have found the main thing to help with my panic attacks is medication. I’m not sure if that’s something you’re willing to try. Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) might be another option. There are four modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. There are specific skills like TIPP (temperature, intense exercise, paced breathing, and paired muscle relaxation) that you mind find helpful for panic attacks/anxiety.

[Ruby26]

I'm sorry you've been struggling so much with panic attacks. I've been having panic attacks for 28 years and I feel like I'm in a place where I can cope with them well now. 

First off, it is important to get checked for any physical causes of your symptoms. I have something called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which causes the panic attacks. If you haven't been assessed for this, you can see an endocrinologist for an assessment. Endocrinologists can assess for other possible causes too and provide treatment. 

If physical causes have been either ruled out or treated, then the most likely cause of this is some type of stress. You need to find a therapist who is present day focused, rather than one which is past focused. The most common present day focused treatment that people find helpful is CBT, which can be provided by either an individual therapist or in an anxiety-based CBT group therapy. Getting a Mental Health Care Plan with your GP will help cover a huge chunk of the cost for both of these options. Another therapy option would be to find something based on Mindfulness and Stress Management, which can include things like DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) or can just simply be called counselling too. You can ask therapists about what their process is for treating panic attacks before your first appointment.