Professional help at JUVENIS in Vienna

Treatment of panic disorder (panic attack)

In the patients' history there is usually a high level of stress due to private and/or work-related difficulties, accompanied by physical symptoms (exhaustion, fatigue, sleep disturbances...) and negative thoughts such as 'I can't take this anymore', 'how am I supposed to manage this'.

A panic attack occurs suddenly, unexpectedly and independently of the situation – it is therefore also referred to as 'anxiety out of the blue'. Various physical symptoms appear, such as dizziness, palpitations, heavy sweating, shortness of breath, rapid and shallow breathing up to hyperventilation, a feeling of tightness in the chest, etc., accompanied by catastrophic thoughts like 'I'm going to die', 'I'm having a heart attack'.

Panic disorders are usually interpreted by those affected as symptoms of a physical illness. To rule out physical causes (e.g. hyperthyroidism, heart defects) for a panic attack, a medical examination must be carried out before psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy at JUVENIS: Consulting room

Treatments & Therapies

At the JUVENIS Medical Center, competent psychotherapists are available to support you in the treatment of a panic disorder. Our therapy offering includes the following areas:

How do panic disorder and panic attacks develop?

Vicious cycle of anxiety

After the first panic attack, many sufferers tend to closely monitor their body in order to detect signs of a new attack in time (selective attention). Minor physical changes (e.g. a higher pulse) are already interpreted as danger. The affected person now feels fear of a possible attack ("fear of the fear" or anticipatory anxiety) – the body prepares for flight (pulse rises further, blood flow increases, breathing rate goes up).

These perceived physical changes are then interpreted as even more dangerous and catastrophic thoughts ("I'm going crazy", "I'm going to die") intensify; the anxiety escalates up to a panic attack.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020, by e-mail at empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact form, to arrange a consultation or treatment appointment.

Safety behaviors

Sufferers fear a catastrophe (heart attack, stroke, a particularly severe or very long-lasting panic attack) and try to avoid it through safety behaviors (taking a calming medication, constant presence of the partner, social withdrawal).

Safety behaviors do in fact lead to short-term relief – the anxiety decreases. For this reason they are maintained by sufferers. In the long term, however, this sustains the anxiety disorder or can even lead to a worsening – the patient never experiences that the anxiety, after reaching its peak, decreases again on its own a few minutes later and that the feared catastrophe does not occur.

Treatment methods of behavioral therapy

Treatment methods in behavioral therapy (VT) – Mag. Hilde Winkler and Mag. Dorothea Bertram

Every treatment is preceded by a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. In addition, an individual explanatory model is created that provides insight into the development of the disorder. This includes pre-existing risk factors (e.g.: increased anxiety) as well as triggers (traumatic events, high stress levels) and maintaining factors (social withdrawal, alcohol consumption, sedative tablets) of the illness, which are given particular consideration in the course of treatment.

  • Therapeutic relationship: The relationship between the client and the psychotherapist represents a significant active factor in treatment. The therapist supports coping and tries to maintain a balance between change and stabilization.

  • Psychoeducation: The patient receives information about the course of anxiety, the development of the panic attack, triggering and maintaining factors, the significance of anticipatory anxiety and safety behaviors, etc. In addition, an individual vicious cycle of anxiety is constructed with the patient. This is intended to give the patient insight and a better understanding of the illness.

  • As part of every anxiety treatment, learning a relaxation method (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or autogenic training) are of particular importance.

Hilde Winkler at JUVENIS
Dorothea Bertram at JUVENIS

  • Cognitive therapy: The patient's internal self-talk ('my heart is beating very fast, I'm probably ill', 'there's something wrong with me') is subjected to critical review and transformed into an objective, constructive, and reality-based self-talk (e.g.: 'what I'm feeling is panic, that's normal with excitement, it's unpleasant but not dangerous, it will pass on its own, it's only a panic attack and not a heart attack, I cannot die from it').

  • Behavioral experiments: Bodily reactions are quickly interpreted as danger by those affected and trigger anxiety. In behavioral experiments, the patient should examine these bodily reactions closely, e.g.: walk fast, climb stairs, or do squats, then place their hand on their heart or on their pulse and closely observe the bodily reactions until the symptoms subside.

  • Exposure: If a panic attack occurs, the patient should continue to focus on the physical changes; fleeing and other safety behaviors (taking medication, calling emergency services) must be avoided. The patient thus learns that the anxiety — after it reaches its peak — decreases on its own (without the patient's intervention) and the feared catastrophe does not occur. The patient recognizes that the anxieties are unpleasant but not dangerous. These corrective experiences play an important role in the treatment of panic attacks. The therapist's task is to accompany, support, and motivate the patient.

  • Depending on the individual problem, additional psychotherapeutic methods may be used in the specific case.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020, by e-mail at empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact form, to arrange a consultation or treatment appointment.

Treatment methods of behavioral therapy

Treatment methods in behavioral therapy (VT) – Mag. Hilde Winkler and Mag. Dorothea Bertram

Every treatment is preceded by a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. In addition, an individual explanatory model is created that provides insight into the development of the disorder. This includes pre-existing risk factors (e.g.: increased anxiety) as well as triggers (traumatic events, high stress levels) and maintaining factors (social withdrawal, alcohol consumption, sedative tablets) of the illness, which are given particular consideration in the course of treatment.

Hilde Winkler at JUVENIS
Dorothea Bertram at JUVENIS

  • Therapeutic relationship: The relationship between the client and the psychotherapist represents a significant active factor in treatment. The therapist supports coping and tries to maintain a balance between change and stabilization.

  • Psychoeducation: The patient receives information about the course of anxiety, the development of the panic attack, triggering and maintaining factors, the significance of anticipatory anxiety and safety behaviors, etc. In addition, an individual vicious cycle of anxiety is constructed with the patient. This is intended to give the patient insight and a better understanding of the illness.

  • As part of every anxiety treatment, learning a relaxation method (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or autogenic training) are of particular importance.

  • Cognitive therapy: The patient's internal self-talk ('my heart is beating very fast, I'm probably ill', 'there's something wrong with me') is subjected to critical review and transformed into an objective, constructive, and reality-based self-talk (e.g.: 'what I'm feeling is panic, that's normal with excitement, it's unpleasant but not dangerous, it will pass on its own, it's only a panic attack and not a heart attack, I cannot die from it').

  • Behavioral experiments: Bodily reactions are quickly interpreted as danger by those affected and trigger anxiety. In behavioral experiments, the patient should examine these bodily reactions closely, e.g.: walk fast, climb stairs, or do squats, then place their hand on their heart or on their pulse and closely observe the bodily reactions until the symptoms subside.

  • Exposure: If a panic attack occurs, the patient should continue to focus on the physical changes; fleeing and other safety behaviors (taking medication, calling emergency services) must be avoided. The patient thus learns that the anxiety — after it reaches its peak — decreases on its own (without the patient's intervention) and the feared catastrophe does not occur. The patient recognizes that the anxieties are unpleasant but not dangerous. These corrective experiences play an important role in the treatment of panic attacks. The therapist's task is to accompany, support, and motivate the patient.

  • Depending on the individual problem, additional psychotherapeutic methods may be used in the specific case.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020, by e-mail at empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact form, to arrange a consultation or treatment appointment.

Costs

Treatment Price
1 therapy session (50 minutes) for the treatment of a panic disorder / panic attack for new patients € 130
1 therapy session (50 minutes) for the treatment of a panic disorder / panic attack for existing patients € 120

In behavioral therapy and person-centered psychotherapy, a frequency of 1 session per week is usual.

A partial reimbursement of costs through your health insurance fund is possible if a clinically significant mental disorder is present.. Some private supplementary insurances often cover part of the costs – however, this would need to be checked by the patient with their supplementary insurer.

There is also the possibility of deducting clinical-psychological treatment as an extraordinary expense on your taxes.

FAQs

A panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which there are recurrent, sudden-onset panic attacks occur. These often occur without an identifiable cause and can be very distressing.

A panic attack is a acute, intense anxiety reaction, which usually reaches its peak within a few minutes. It is often accompanied by strong physical symptoms.

Typical symptoms include:

  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations

  • Shortness of breath or tightness in the chest

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

  • Trembling or sweating

  • Fear of losing control or fear of dying

These symptoms can be very intense, but are usually temporary.

The causes are usually a combination of various factors, including:

  • genetic predisposition

  • Stress or stressful life events

  • psychische Faktoren

  • Neurobiological processes

Treatment is individualized and may include:

  • psychotherapeutic conversations

  • Behavioral therapy

  • Targeted techniques for coping with panic attacks

  • relaxation exercises

The goal is to reduce the frequency and intensity of the attacks.

At the beginning, a detailed Diagnostics and medical history. Afterwards, an individual therapy plan is created, tailored to your personal situation.

Panic attacks are certainly very unpleasant, but are usually not life-threatening. However, they should be taken seriously and treated.

Yes, panic disorders are in many cases well treatable. With the right therapy, symptoms can be significantly reduced or completely overcome.

The duration depends on the individual course. In many cases, treatment is over several weeks to months.

Helpful measures are:

  • conscious, calm breathing

  • focus on the moment

  • use relaxation techniques

  • remember that the attack will pass

If panic attacks occur regularly or impair your quality of life, you should early medical or therapeutic help seek help.

Psychotherapeutic measures are generally low in side effects. In the case of medication therapy, possible side effects are discussed individually.

The costs depend on the scope of the therapy and the number of sessions. A therapy session (50 minutes) for new patients costs € 130 and for existing patients € 120.

The Exact prices will be provided in a personal consultation..

Depending on the form of therapy, a (partial) coverage of costs by the health insurance be possible.

At JUVENIS you will be cared for by experienced specialists and therapists cared for. Through individualized therapy approaches, modern treatment methods and empathetic support, a sustainable reduction of panic attacks and an improvement in your quality of life aimed for.

We have answered the most frequently asked questions on the topic of Panic disorder – panic attack answered. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via empfang@juvenismed.at or at +43 1 236 3020.

Team

Mag. Hilde Winkler

Mag.Hilde Winkler

Psychotherapist (behavioral therapy), clinical and health psychologist, occupational psychologist
Curriculum vitae
Private photo

Mag.Dorothea Bertram

Clinical and health psychologist, psychotherapist (behavioral therapy)
Curriculum vitae

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Responsible for the content of this page: Mag. Hilde Winkler & Mag. Dorothea Bertram