Seeking Help

In my surgery, I often see people who suffer panic attacks. They sometimes come thinking they are having a heart attack because they are only aware of the physical symptoms – pounding heart, tight chest, rapid breathing and dizziness. Panic attacks are in fact the fifth most common problem we see as GPs. The good news is that there are a number of treatments available.

Perhaps because phobics don't have the extreme physical reaction, most people with phobias don't go to their GP for treatment and instead try to live with their fears. This limits their social, work and family life and can even lead to depression. But, equally, phobias can be managed - as Zeron and Mike demonstrated in the programme.

Managing Fear

Whether you suffer panic attacks or phobias which are limiting your quality of life - from fear of flying or agoraphobia, the fear of public places - I strongly advise seeking help, as there are so many treatments that can work.

1. Hypnosis
Top of my list is hypnosis. As phobia and panic attack symptoms are the physical manifestations of an imagined fear they work at the subconscious level (particularly the amygdala centre in the brain). So it makes sense to undo the problem at a subconscious level - using hypnosis. This can be done in a single session and I have seen this give real results. The key is to find a very skilled hypnotist.

2. Behavioural and Psychotherapy Treatments
On the NHS you can be referred to have behavioural treatments like flooding therapy (as seen in the programme) or psychotherapy like CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy).

a) Behavioural therapy - the belief here is that patients who are exposed to the feared situation can become used to their anxiety either by being exposed slowly, or suddenly and extensively (flooding).

With Zeron, after the initial acute fear reaction, he became much calmer and his brain learnt that the situation wasn't as dangerous as his subconscious clearly believed. As Zeron developed greater confidence with his achievement he was then asked to touch a Boa Constrictor. He is seen hyperventilating as it is placed on the table. The sweating "goes off the scale". He then begins to relax and touches the snake successfully with encouragement from the psychologist. He admits that "never in my wildest dream would I ever have believed this"; Finally he manages to hold the snake himself.

b) Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on educating the patient to help them understand their beliefs about panic symptoms, and how to challenge and ultimately change them. This is sometimes combined with behavioural therapies.

3. Drugs
During a severe panic attack, or (in some cases) to avoid one happening, the patient will be prescribed a small dose of Diazepam to calm their psychological feeling of fear for a few hours. This is only prescribed as a short-term measure. An alternative is the prescription of a beta-blocker, which can be taken regularly and can minimise the physical symptoms of the fear reaction.

There are also specific drugs which can be prescribed more long term to treat panic attacks and phobias.

So if you suffer panic attacks or phobias, don't suffer in silence! There are treatments out there, so speak to your GP and stop fears and phobias ruining your life.

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