Panic Disorder & Panic Attack Therapy in Adelaide
Panic attacks can feel overwhelming, sudden, and frightening. You might experience intense physical symptoms, a sense of losing control, or terrified that something is medically wrong. For some people, these experiences become ongoing, leading to persistent worry about when the next panic attack might occur.
At Bella Vida Psychology, we provide evidence-based therapy for panic disorder and panic attacks in Adelaide, helping adults feel more in control, reduce fear, and regain confidence in their daily lives.
What Panic Attacks Can Feel Like
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Racing or pounding heart
Shortness of breath or a feeling of choking
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Sweating
Shaking
Discomfort in your chest
Nausea
Feeling like you or the world around you aren’t real
Feelings of impending doom
Fear of losing control
Feeling like you are dying
Fear of fainting
A panic attack is a sudden, overwhelming, and often unexpected surge of anxiety that peaks within minutes. It often involves strong physical sensations that can feel alarming, even when there is no immediate danger.
Although panic attacks can feel frightening, the sensations themselves are not harmful
What Panic Can Look Like
Feeling unsafe in your body
Fear of panic attacks in public or while driving
Avoiding places or situations where panic may occur
Hyperawareness and checking of body sensations
Changing your behaviour to try prevent panic attacks
Living in anticipation of the next panic attack
Over time, this cycle can make daily life feel more restricted and unpredictable.
Understanding the Panic Cycle
Panic attacks are often driven by the body’s threat system becoming overly sensitive.
People often cope by avoiding situations where they fear they may experience a panic attack.
While this relieves anxiety in the short-term… in the long-term they become more fearful, less confident in their ability to manage, and the list of situations they need to avoid grows longer.
We draw on evidence-based approaches, including:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)
Schema-Informed Therapy
Our Approach
At Bella Vida Psychology, therapy focuses on breaking the cycle of fear, reducing sensitivity to physical sensations, and helping you feel more in control of your body and mind.
What to Expect in Therapy
Therapy is collaborative, practical, and paced according to your comfort.
We may work on:
Understanding your unique panic cycle
Learning how to respond during a panic attack
Reducing fear of physical sensations
Gradually returning to avoided situations
Building confidence in your ability to cope
Identifying and processing past experiences that may have contributed to heightened anxiety
When to Seek Support
You may consider therapy if:
You’ve experienced recurrent panic attacks
You worry about when the next attack will happen
You avoid certain places or activities due to fear of panic
Panic is interfering with your daily functioning or quality of life
Support can make a significant difference in reducing both the frequency and impact of panic.
Therapy for Panic in Adelaide & Telehealth
If panic attacks are affecting your sense of safety or freedom, therapy can help you regain confidence and feel more in control.