When Anxiety Becomes Overwhelming
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense anxiety or fear accompanied by strong physical and emotional symptoms.
During a panic attack, a person may feel as though they are losing control, unable to breathe properly, experiencing a serious medical emergency, or facing a threat to their life. Although panic attacks are not dangerous in themselves, they can feel extremely frightening and overwhelming.
After experiencing several panic attacks, many people develop an ongoing fear of having another attack. Over time, this fear of panic attacks can begin to affect everyday life, leading to avoidance of certain places, situations, travel, social activities, or other circumstances that come to feel unsafe.
Working with a psychologist can help you better understand what is happening, reduce fear of panic symptoms, and gradually restore a sense of safety, confidence, and emotional stability.
How Panic Attacks Can Manifest
Panic attacks may be accompanied by a range of physical and emotional symptoms.
For example:
• rapid heartbeat or palpitations;
• shortness of breath or a feeling of not getting enough air;
• dizziness or light-headedness;
• trembling or internal shaking;
• feelings of weakness;
• a sense of unreality or detachment from surroundings;
• fear of losing control;
• fear of dying;
• sudden waves of intense panic;
• fear that another panic attack could occur at any moment;
• avoidance of certain places or situations;
• constant monitoring of physical sensations and symptoms.
If you recognise several of these symptoms and notice that they are beginning to affect your everyday life, professional psychological support may be helpful.
Over time, panic attacks themselves often become only part of the problem. Many people become increasingly distressed by the anticipation of another attack, which can intensify anxiety and gradually restrict their freedom and daily activities.
As a result, people may begin avoiding places or situations where panic attacks have occurred before, fearing that the experience will happen again.
When Counselling May Be Helpful
Psychological support may be helpful if panic attacks occur repeatedly, cause significant fear, or begin to affect your quality of life.
For example, you may avoid certain places, travelling, social situations, public transport, or other everyday activities because of concerns that another panic attack might occur.
You may also consider seeking support if you experience recurring panic attacks, constant fear of another attack, fear of losing control, heightened awareness of physical symptoms, or a growing sense that anxiety is taking up more and more space in your life.
Persistent overthinking, anxious rumination, and difficulty switching off unwanted thoughts can contribute to chronic stress and ongoing inner tension. If these experiences feel familiar, you may also find it helpful to learn more about support for intrusive and unwanted thoughts: Intrusive Thoughts
Panic attacks are often accompanied by increased anxiety, chronic worry, and persistent inner tension. If these experiences feel familiar, you may also find it helpful to learn more about support for anxiety and stress: Anxiety and Stress
Chronic stress, emotional overload, and persistent inner tension can increase anxiety levels, heighten physical stress responses, and contribute to panic attacks. If these experiences feel familiar, you may also find it helpful to learn more about support for stress and inner tension: Persistent Inner Tension
Ongoing emotional tension, chronic stress, emotional burnout, and exhaustion can also intensify anxiety responses and physical symptoms. If these experiences feel familiar, you may also find it helpful to learn more about support for emotional burnout and chronic fatigue: Burnout, Emotional Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue
After experiencing panic attacks, many people begin to doubt themselves, lose confidence in their ability to cope, or feel that they are no longer in control of their lives. If these experiences feel familiar, you may also find it helpful to learn more about support for self-esteem, confidence issues, and self-doubt: Low Self-Esteem and Self-Doubt
If panic attacks began during a period of major life changes, loss, uncertainty, or a difficult life transition, you may also find it helpful to learn more about support for life transitions, life crises, and self-discovery: Life Transitions, Life Crises and Self-Discovery
Working with a psychologist can help you better understand the causes of panic attacks, reduce fear of symptoms, and gradually return to a calmer, fuller, and more confident life.
How the work is structured
During counselling, we explore not only the panic attacks themselves, but also the life circumstances, stress responses, emotional experiences, and internal conflicts that may contribute to ongoing anxiety.
Over time, it becomes possible to better understand your body's signals, reduce anticipatory anxiety and fear of future attacks, and develop a stronger sense of safety, confidence, and emotional stability
In my work, I use methods and techniques from existential therapy, together with elements of Gestalt therapy, Transactional Analysis, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and psychodrama.
Session Format
In-person sessions take place in central Tallinn.
Online sessions are available via Zoom, WhatsApp, or Microsoft Teams. If needed, we can arrange other meeting formats by prior agreement.
Sessions can be held in English.
Counselling Fees
An individual counselling session lasts 50 minutes.
The fee is €40 per session.
Sessions are available in person in Tallinn or online.
Some people come for a single consultation focused on a specific issue, while others choose longer-term counselling. The number of sessions is always determined individually and depends on your situation, goals, and needs.
Book a consultation
If panic attacks cause significant fear, restrict your daily life, or you would like to better understand what is happening and why these experiences occur, you are welcome to contact me to discuss your situation and arrange your first counselling session.