Panic Attacks / Panic Disorder: Information, tips and help in Berlin & online
Hypnotherapy and Hypnobalancing™ in Berlin to help people with panic attacs and panic disorderHelp with panic attacks and panic disorders
How can hypnotherapy help with panic attacks or panic disorder? Psychotherapy with hypnosis, hypnotherapy and Hypnobalancing™.
Panic Attacks
A panic attack is defined as a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by somatic and psychic symptoms. The attack has a sudden onset and rapidly builds to a peak (usually in 10 minutes or fewer). It is accompanied by a sense of imminent danger or impending doom and an urge to escape.
Panic attacks are relatively common and can be a part of a variety of other psychological issues e.g. phobias. Panic disorder is simply fearing to have a panic attack in the future. It is possible to experience panic attacks without a diagnosis of a panic disorder is appropriate – this can sometimes be the case with asthma. Equally, simply having panic attacks may evolve over time into a panic disorder.
Panic attacks are associated with physical symptoms that include the following:
- Shaking/trembling
- Feeling that your heart is pounding or racing
- Sweating
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling that you are choking
- Nausea
- Cramping
- Dizziness
- Out-of-body feeling or sense of things not being real (depersonalization or derealization)
- Tingling or numb feeling in your hands, or feet
- Chills or hot flushes
These symptoms are caused by an increase in stress combined with inappropriate breathing patterns like hyperventilation. Hyperventilation in effect floods the body with oxygen which in turn generates physical sensations which are often perceived as being threatening, which in turn increases the stress response, which then, in turn, tends to increase the rate of breathing and so on.
As the panic, state escalates the symptoms also increase both in type and regularity. The presence of at least 4 symptoms which develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes strongly suggests that a person is experiencing a panic attack.
Many of the symptoms that occur during a panic attack are the same as the symptoms of diseases of the heart, lungs, intestines or nervous system. The similarities between panic disorder and other diseases may add to the person’s fear and anxiety during and after a panic attack. It is not uncommon for people to have reported to casualty departments several times as a result of misinterpreting panic attack symptoms with symptoms of serious physical illness.
Types of panic attacks
Basically, there are two types of panic attacks and a variation, depending on the presence or absence of situational triggers.
1. The unexpected panic attacks, in which the onset of the panic attack is not associated with a situational trigger. Those occur spontaneously, out of the blue.
2. The situationally bound panic attacks, in which the panic attack almost invariably occurs immediately on exposure to, or in anticipation of, a situational cue.
3. The third is a variation of situationally predisposed panic attacks, which are more likely to occur on exposure to the situational cue or trigger, but are not invariably associated with the cue and do not necessarily occur immediately after the exposure.
Panic Disorder
When the panic attack response has become conditioned over time people concerned begin to fear future occurrences and become anxious in anticipation. This instigates a negative self-fulfilling prophecy that can itself generate a panic attack. The state of suffering from panic attacks combined with anticipatory anxiety is known as panic disorder. Sometimes it is accompanied by agoraphobia.
Panic disorder is a common condition in which a person has episodes of intense fear or anxiety that occur suddenly – often without warning. These panic attacks can last from a few minutes to several hours. They may occur only once in a while, or they may occur really quite frequently. The cause (trigger) for these attacks may not be obvious or there may be a series of very specific triggers.
Just the fear of having a panic attack is often enough to trigger the symptoms. This is the primary basis for a condition known as agoraphobia. Those with agoraphobia find it difficult to leave home (or another safe area) because they are afraid of having a panic attack in public or not having an easy way to escape if the symptoms occur.
Anticipatory Anxiety
As the result of the first attack, many patients develop the fear that another attack may occur. Therefore, during the intervals between the attacks, the level of diffuse anxiety increases. Anticipatory anxiety has many of the characteristics of generalized anxiety like the increase of attention, apprehension, and hyperactivity. This condition can be intrusive enough to cancel the difference between panic attack and generalized anxiety. It is speculated that such a higher level of diffuse anxiety may lower the threshold for panic, thus increasing the risk of new attacks. The anticipatory anxiety leads to avoidance behavior so that agoraphobia ensues.
Why use Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy?
Panic disorder is easily treated with a variety of available therapies. Especially the combination of hypnotherapy and Hypnobalancing is extremely effective. It even helped most people who have successfully completed another treatment but continued to experience situational avoidance or anxiety. Once treated, the panic disorder doesn’t lead to any long-term or permanent complications.
How to decide to ask for help?
Are you thinking about whether you need professional help to recover? You may feel that you should be able to handle things on your own, or that talking to someone means you are not a strong person. You might be worried that talking about your issue during treatment could make your symptoms worse. It is important to get all those obstacles out of the way.
When asking for help
It is good to know that it is important to help yourself. It’s also important to know when you need to reach out for some help. Therapy can be a good opportunity to learn both aspects of emotional strength, autonomy, and reliance on those you trust.
An experienced therapist will let you choose the pace of your therapy and won't force you to discuss things you're not ready for. Emotional strength involves learning on your own and knowing how and when support is helpful.
How do the symptoms influence your life?
One of the best ways to figure out if assistance is good for you is to consider how much the symptoms you are experiencing interfere with your daily life. Do you have limitations in your personal life, or at work? Are you able to focus? Is it easy for you to build and maintain fulfilling relationships with people? Do you enjoy your life? Is there a feeling in you that your life could be more fulfilling?
Who can assist you?
Are you considering getting my assistance? The easiest way for you to find out is if you know someone I've been able to help. Then you will know firsthand what to expect. If that is not the case, you will find on this website some information that will make it easier for you to get an impression of me. Trust is important, and that's why I aim for transparency.
Your therapist
For about two decades, I am specialized in the field of fears and anxiety disorders. I spend about 20 hours a week helping people to free themselves from their limitations and thereby gain a better quality of life. If you want to know how it all started and what you should know about me, please read my profile. And yes, therapy is a very personal matter: Because it is a very intensive collaboration, I reveal some details about myself. So you can get a first impression of me. Trust is important and that is why I focus on transparency.
The sessions are conducted either in German or English.
What does hypnotherapy cost?
Here are some organizational details. Please read them before the appointment reservation. People often ask, "How much does hypnotherapy cost?" What is meant by this are the presumed total costs, which result from the fee and the duration of the psychotherapy with hypnotherapy.
Fee for psychotherapy
The fee per session hour of psychotherapy (60 minutes) for appointments from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 18:00:
- A. Sessions by telephone or online with video support 179,- Euro
- B. Sessions in my premises 199,- Euro.
- C. For options A. and B. plus short-term appointment changes* once up to 24 hours before, add to the hourly fee 35, - Euro.
The fees for psychotherapy are exempt from VAT according to § 4 No. 14 a) UStG.
The first session usually lasts 90 minutes. Outside the mentioned business hours (Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.) I add a 35 % surcharge. The minimum duration of a session is 60 minutes, billing beyond that in 30-minute units. The minimum duration of a session is 60 minutes, billing beyond that in 30-minute units.
The fees do not include travel, accommodation, and allowance costs, which will be charged to the client. For traveling on my behalf: The costs for the journey will be charged according to time and effort. Within Berlin, at least an hourly fee is charged. Relevant is the individual agreement.
Postponement of meetings: For hourly fees A. and B. sessions that last up to 120 minutes can be once rescheduled up to 72 hours in advance (only weekdays count Monday till Friday, no holidays), longer sessions, or more than 120 minutes within 7 days at least 14 days in advance. Otherwise, they will be charged in full.
You can't come to my practice? Switch to a session with video or use your telephone.
Method of payment: The fee must always be paid in full by bank transfer 7 days before the session. I will send you details by mail so that you are well-informed.
Right of rescission: If registration by consumers for an event is made by telephone, letter, e-mail, or online form, the provisions of the Distance Selling Act shall apply. If the intended start of the event at the time of registration is within the withdrawal period according to the Fernabsatzgesetz (Distance Selling Act), the registration is considered a request to start the service within the withdrawal period. You have the right to revoke a service order/date without giving reasons. This is possible within 14 days of the order by telephone and in writing.
Cost coverage by health insurance companies and other insurers
Usually, the fee is not paid by national health insurance companies. Please contact your insurance company to find out about their policy details. Please discuss this with your insurer in advance. You will receive an invoice from me with classification according to ICD-10. Should applications etc. be necessary, we can do this together during the meetings.
Therapy duration
The first therapy session lasts 90 minutes, subsequent sessions can also be 60 minutes long. The number of sessions required is as varied as the personalities and situations of the clients. For anxiety disorders, I usually see clients for 3 to 8 sessions. Frequently, this question can be estimated by the clients themselves after the second session. I will then also give you an estimation based on previous experience.
Appointment booking
Please read the important information before making an appointment with me, including the contraindications for psychotherapy with hypnotherapy. I have answered frequently asked questions for you. For the success of your therapy, this information is of crucial importance. If this attracts you, then you can find out about booking your appointment here. The better you are informed, the faster we can focus on you and your wishes.
To make an appointment, you can preferably contact me by e-mail (mail@noack-hypnose.de) or by using the contact form (privacy policy) as well as by phone 01577 704 53 56 or 030 - 864 213 69. You will then receive a confirmation of your reservation by e-mail. In this reply, you will find the details for the first session. This usually happens within 24 hours. If you do not receive a reply, it could be because an email has ended up in the spam filter. In such a case, please call me.
There are only a few practice hours available, and they want to be used well. The fee for individual session hours is therefore always to be paid in full by bank transfer, with payment received at least 7 days before the session.
Why at least 7 days in advance? I would like to do it differently, but this is the best practice. Appointments that have not been confirmed with payment received seven days in advance are noticeably more likely to be canceled. And the repeated callbacks take up a lot of time. Because of this, I'm currently faced with the decision of whether and how to either significantly adjust fees to absorb this or to consistently organize in a way that is fair to all parties. Because of this, I am also offering options in terms of shifting appointments with the fees.
There is a maximum of 20 hours a week available for psychotherapy, and any canceled appointment means patients are unable to benefit from psychotherapy help. I understand that it would be more convenient for you otherwise, but this solution is the fairest for all involved.
You can use real-time bank transfer (costs 25 Ct. at Sparkasse Berlin, for example) for time-sensitive appointments, and the transfer takes a few minutes, or we can make an appointment with appropriate advance preparation. If this is not an option for you, please let me know immediately so that I can assign your appointment. Otherwise, I appreciate your understanding and look forward to intensive cooperation.
Preparation for the first session
With the confirmation of your appointment, you will receive recommendations on how to prepare for your first session with me. With your appointment confirmation, you will receive recommendations on how to prepare for your first session with me. You will also get an overview of what to consider regarding the Coronavirus during in-office appointments and how to prepare best for online sessions.
The first session: Step by step
The optimal prerequisites are set right at the beginning. In the first meeting, we create the basis for intensive cooperation. Step by step:
1. Preparation
The first session is generally 90 minutes so that there is enough time for an in-depth preliminary discussion, in which we can clarify questions. Then we begin with a detailed dialogue, with the anamnesis, in order to adapt the therapeutic plan individually to your personal needs. For this purpose, we define your goals and motives and discuss the steps.
2. First intervention
As soon as you are ready for it, we get to work. You set the pace. In the second part of the session, we figure out the easiest way to get you into a comfortable, relaxed hypnotic state. You will experience an introductory trance. This enables access to your unconscious and permits initial suggestions. How far we proceed with this in the first session will be determined by your reactions. Finally, I gently lead you out of the trance.
3. Evaluation, options, and outlook
Following the first trance, I will respond to your questions, and we will discuss how to proceed with your hypnotherapy. In most cases, you will receive recommendations you can apply to complement and enhance the work we do together, even beyond the sessions. It is crucial that you not only feel better in the session, but also have an improvement in your everyday life. The more effectively we work together, the sooner I make myself superfluous as your therapist. That's it!
You are not in Berlin or prefer an alternative instead of coming to me?
You are not in Berlin or do not want or cannot come to the practice for other reasons? Then it is worth reading the following information about the options:
a. Travel to Berlin
For clients traveling to Berlin, there is the possibility, if booked in advance, to hold 2 sessions on the same day. It should be discussed in advance by telephone whether this is a recommendable option, as it requires appropriate prerequisites. Any sources of additional pressure should be avoided in the interest of the therapeutic success.
Here you will find further information when considering to travel to me in Berlin.
b. Online sessions
At times a personal meeting is not possible. In such cases, a telephone session or a session with video support via the Internet is an alternative or supplement. I have been using this setting for many years, and many clients have achieved excellent results with it. These experiences make it easy to achieve very intensive sessions in this way as well. You are more flexible and can also use my support very promptly. There are currently reduced fees for such sessions.
You are also on the safe side regarding the coronavirus. By the way, this is also an option if you should be unexpectedly unable to attend a session personally.
Self-hypnosis
When appropriate, I will teach you self-hypnosis to complement the hypnosis sessions. Self-hypnosis is a tool to control unconscious processes and thus mental states by yourself.
After you enjoyed positive trance experiences with my support, you can learn self-hypnosis very quickly. This helps you to progress self-determined. It accelerates the process, deepens, and consolidates what has been achieved in the therapy sessions. Your autonomy is thus fostered. A good therapist makes himself superfluous as soon as possible. Self-hypnosis is an excellent method of self-help that can be used beyond the actual issue.
Just ask me personally.
Let's talk. Please read the privacy policy. If you are interested, you can contact me for questions and appointments via this contact form or by e-mail (mail@berlin-hypnosis.com), phone 030/86421369, and mobile phone 01577/7045356. The best time to contact me by telephone is Monday to Thursday between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm. During sessions, there is an answering machine. Leave a message and your phone number in Germany, and I'll call you back as soon as possible. Make sure I understand what you are asking for.
You can find answers to frequently asked questions, such as fees, on the home page. There are also lots of articles and details about me (profile) to help you get an idea of who I am. This will also make it easier for you to decide if I am the right therapist for you and your problem.
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Be sure to read the following notice
Before contacting me, please read the detailed information about fees, booking, contraindications to hypnotherapy and answers to other frequently asked questions (FAQ).
These pages are intended to provide information for those interested in psychotherapy using hypnotherapy. It is not intended to replace psychotherapy or personal consultation, examination or diagnosis by a licensed medical practitioner. I am not a medical doctor. I specialize in helping people with anxiety and anxiety disorders. The profession of a hypnotherapist (official license to practice psychotherapy according to the HPG) is fundamentally different from that of a medical doctor. Medical diagnoses are not made, nor are promises of healing made or medication prescribed. Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric intervention where this is required.
If you have any questions about psychotherapy with hypnosis, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to inform you.
Articles
Panic attacks and lifestyle: Prevention of panic attacks.
How about the relation between panic attacks and lifestyle. How to prevent panic attacks.
Causes and duration of treatment of anxiety and anxiety disorders
I am frequently asked about the origin and duration of treatment for anxiety and anxiety disorders. Here is my personal response.
Is anxiety only in your mind?
We often hear that fear is purely a matter of the head. And if it is only a thought, it can’t be that bad, can it?
Anxiety and overweight: The often underestimated relationship
What about the relationship between anxiety and being overweight? Some evidence suggests that obesity is positively associated with anxiety disorders in adults.
10 tips to help people with an anxiety disorder
Friends and family members can help those with anxiety and anxiety disorders. Here are 10 tips.
Do you know my kind of fear?
Sometimes I get telephone calls or emails with the question if I have heard about this specific type of fear before. Most of the time I can say „Yes!“ and other times I am surprised. Truth is that the list of fears and phobias is endless.
Panic attacks and anxiety
People with a panic disorder start to fear the next attack. Psychotherapy in Berlin specialized in fears and anxiety disorders.
Published: March 12, 2007
Author: Karsten Noack
Revision: August 15, 2023
Translation: May 26, 2008
German version:
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T: RR
AN: #34300