Inside the Storm: Understanding and Treating Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks can feel like a tidal wave crashing through your nervous system. These attacks are sudden, overwhelming, and uncontrollable. For those who experience them, we know that the sensations can be terrifying. A pounding heart, shallow breaths, dizziness, and spiraling fear that something terrible is about to happen can make living seem impossible.

Our purpose in what we do is to remind you that living a fulfilling life is not impossible. We believe in all of our patients at Serenity Mental Health Centers. We know how real and debilitating these experiences are, and we are here to help you find calm in the chaos.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is more than just worry or stress; it is a mental health condition marked by persistent, excessive fear or nervousness that interferes with daily life. While everyone experiences anxiety occasionally, those with an anxiety disorder feel it constantly, often without any clear reason. The nervous system becomes locked in a state of hyperarousal, flooding the body with stress hormones even when there’s no actual threat.

The amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for detecting danger, becomes overactive in individuals with anxiety. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex (the area responsible for logical thinking and emotional regulation) becomes less active. This neurological imbalance is what causes the exaggerated fear response, leading to what we call an anxiety attack.

What Is an Anxiety Attack?

An anxiety attack, often used interchangeably with panic attack, is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort. These attacks can last for several minutes or longer and usually come with intense physical symptoms. While the terms differ slightly in clinical use, many patients experience them the same way: a sudden flood of symptoms that leaves them feeling powerless and afraid.

Anxiety Attack Symptoms:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Trembling or shaking
• Hot flashes or chills
• Nausea
• Feeling detached from reality (derealization)

How Do Anxiety Attacks Start?

Anxiety attacks can be triggered by specific stressors, trauma reminders, or even seemingly benign daily events. But sometimes, they come out of nowhere. In patients with generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety, the brain becomes conditioned to respond with panic at even minor stress cues. Over time, this can make attacks more frequent and more intense.

The root of these attacks lies in the brain’s alarm system. The amygdala sends signals to release adrenaline and cortisol, the body’s fight-or-flight hormones. These chemicals prepare the body for danger, but when no actual danger is present, the result is a full-blown anxiety attack. This chronic overactivation reinforces neural pathways associated with fear, making it more likely for future attacks to occur.

The Role of Neurotransmitters in Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety isn’t just psychological, it’s biochemical. People struggling with anxiety attacks often have imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and norepinephrine.

Serotonin helps regulate mood and social behavior, and low levels of serotonin are commonly linked to anxiety and depression. GABA, on the other hand, is the brain’s natural calming chemical. When GABA activity is too low, the brain has a harder time “shutting off” anxious thoughts, leading to excessive neural firing and panic responses. Norepinephrine is involved in the body’s stress response and can increase heart rate and blood pressure during attacks.

Understanding these chemical imbalances gives us insight into why medications and brain stimulation techniques work, and why TMS therapy can be so effective.

How to Recognize an Anxiety Attack

Anxiety attack symptoms often mimic serious medical conditions like heart attacks or strokes. So, it’s important to recognize the difference. A psychiatrist or medical provider can help rule out other causes and determine if your symptoms are rooted in anxiety. If you’ve experienced these episodes more than once, there’s a strong chance you're dealing with an anxiety disorder, and you're not alone in that.

How to Confront Panic and Anxiety Attacks

When an anxiety attack hits, the goal is to help your body and mind return to a calmer baseline. Here are some immediate strategies patients can try:

• Grounding Techniques: Focus on sensory input to reconnect to the present moment. For example, name five things you see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste.
• Controlled Breathing: Slow your breathing by inhaling for four seconds, holding for four, and exhaling for four.
• Muscle Relaxation: Tense and release different muscle groups to reduce physical tension.

These techniques can be helpful in the moment, but long-term relief often requires a deeper, medical approach.

Medication Management for Anxiety Attacks

At Serenity, our team of expert psychiatrists offers individualized medication management for patients dealing with recurrent anxiety attacks. Anti-anxiety medications and certain antidepressants can help stabilize brain chemistry and reduce attack frequency. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are frequently prescribed to improve serotonin levels. Benzodiazepines may also be used for short-term relief under close supervision.

We understand that each patient is unique. That’s why our providers take the time to evaluate your symptoms, triggers, lifestyle, and past medication history. Whether you’re searching for psychiatric care, local psychiatrists, or a psychiatrist near me who truly listens, we’re here to support you.

TMS Therapy for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

For patients who have not found relief through traditional medication, TMS therapy offers a powerful, non-drug alternative. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a cutting-edge technology that uses magnetic pulses to activate underperforming regions of the brain. It is particularly effective for those with treatment-resistant anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD), or those who have experienced medication-resistant anxiety.

At Serenity’s TMS therapy clinic, patients receive tailored treatment sessions that target the neurological roots of panic attacks. Over several weeks, TMS treatment helps reset the brain's stress response system, leading to fewer and less intense anxiety attacks.

How TMS Works Neurologically

TMS therapy works by stimulating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is often underactive in patients with anxiety disorders. This region helps regulate emotional responses, logical thinking, and executive functioning. When properly activated, it can counteract the overactive amygdala that drives panic and fear.

In addition to regional brain activation, TMS also modulates the brain's chemical messengers. Repeated TMS sessions have been shown to increase the production of serotonin and improve GABA function, which is essential for patients who are stuck in chronic anxiety cycles.

TMS does not require sedation, surgery, or recovery time. Most patients experience only mild TMS side effects, such as a light tapping sensation on the scalp.

Benefits of TMS Therapy for Panic Attacks:

• Drug-free and non-invasive
• Minimal side effects
• Long-lasting results
• Personalized for each patient
• Proven results for depression and anxiety

Alternative Therapy for Medication-Resistant Anxiety

TMS is considered an excellent alternative therapy for medication-resistant anxiety, especially for patients who have tried multiple medications without relief. If you've been living with panic attacks and feel like nothing has worked, TMS mental health treatment may be your next step.

Your Recovery Team Matters

Our psychiatrists are more than just providers; they are partners in your recovery. Every Serenity patient receives a full evaluation, a comprehensive care plan, and ongoing support. Whether you’ve been dealing with social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, or frequent anxiety attacks, we’re here to help you find lasting peace.

Our national network of clinics makes it easy to connect with local psychiatrists, get answers to your questions, and begin treatments grounded in the latest neuroscience.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

If you’ve been searching for answers, wondering if there’s a better way to manage your anxiety, we want you to know that there is. Panic and anxiety attacks don’t have to define your life. With the right team and the right tools, you can find relief.

Our team at Serenity Mental Health Centers offers a full spectrum of support, from medication to TMS therapy, designed to help you regain control. Let us help you find calm, clarity, and confidence again.

Schedule your consultation today to learn more about how Serenity can help you or your loved one overcome anxiety attacks for good.