Understanding and overcoming panic attacks – help in 1140 Vienna

A panic attack is a sudden, intense anxiety reaction that occurs without any recognisable external trigger. The body reacts with an alarm response – rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling – even though there is no real danger. This reaction usually only lasts a few minutes, but can be experienced as extremely threatening. Many sufferers interpret the symptoms as life-threatening, which further intensifies the panic and can lead to a feeling of complete helplessness.

⚠️ Typical symptoms of a panic attack

• Palpitations, rise in blood pressure
• Shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and throat
• Dizziness, trembling, sweating
• Tingling sensations due to hyperventilation
• Derealisation und Depersonalisation
• Anxious thoughts such as “I’m losing control”
• In severe cases: Unconsciousness

🔍 Causes and triggers

The causes of panic attacks are manifold: psychological strain, stress, traumatic experiences, neurological or hormonal dysregulation, but also psychosocial patterns such as excessive performance demands or emotional overload. There is often a deeply rooted inner dynamic that manifests itself in the form of automated reaction patterns and unconsciously influences behaviour.

🧠 What happens in the brain during a panic attack?

During a panic attack, the amygdala – the fear centre in the brain – is activated. It sends signals to the body that trigger a stress response, even though there is no real danger. Understanding these neurobiological processes can help to better classify and demystify the symptoms.

🌀 Panic as a trance state – a hypnosystemic understanding

In the hypnosystemic approach, panic is not understood as a disorder, but as a state of trance – a state of intense focussing on threatening bodily sensations and thoughts. This trance is not pathological, but a learnt pattern that can be relearned through therapeutic work.

The aim of the therapy is to establish an observer position that enables the client to distinguish between different inner parts and to develop new choices.

🤝 Attachment and emotional security

Attachment plays a central role in the experience of anxiety and panic. A secure attachment can reassure, provide support and promote emotional regulation. At the same time, attachment – especially if it is associated with high expectations, loyalty conflicts or unresolved family dynamics – can also become a source of stress and inner tension.

In therapy, attachment is understood not only as a relationship with others, but also as a relationship with our own inner world. This inner relationship has a significant influence on our emotional balance.

💬 Emotion-focused work: The inner world as an ally

A central idea in emotion-focussed work is that panic arises when we are afraid of our own inner world. If our own fear seems threatening to us, a second level of fear arises – the fear of fear – and this is precisely what leads to a panic attack.

The aim of the therapy is to help the client to befriend their inner world. When fear is no longer experienced as an enemy but as a counsellor, space is created for self-efficacy and emotional clarity.

🧘‍♀️ Bodywork and self-regulation

Breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation or mindful movement (e.g. yoga or Qi Gong) can help to calm the nervous system. In hypnosystemic therapy, the body is understood as a resource that provides access to inner images and solutions.

📈 Therapy success and prognosis

The good news is that panic attacks are very treatable. Studies show that emotion-focussed and hypnosystemic approaches are highly effective. Many clients experience a significant improvement after just a few sessions and gain new confidence in themselves.

🧘‍♂️ Psychotherapy & Hypnosis in Vienna – Help with panic attacks

As a psychotherapist (systemic family therapy) and hypnotherapist with a practice in Vienna, I support people who suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorders. In my work, I combine emotion-focussed therapy, hypnosystemic methods and clinical hypnosis.

What can you expect during therapy?

• Understanding the individual dynamics of your panic
• Building self-efficacy and inner security
• Work with inner images, resources and body sensations
• Development of new emotional realities in trance
• Integration of distressing symptoms as an expression of unheard concerns