CBT · Paris
Anxiety & panic attacks
Anxiety can build up gradually, as worries that never stop. It can also hit all at once, in a panic attack. They are two different experiences, but they often rest on the same mechanism: a fear that keeps itself going.
CBT helps you understand this mechanism and gradually find more calm and freedom in your daily life.
Anxiety: when the worry won't stop
You expect the worst, the same thoughts go round and round, and your body stays tense even when things are fine.
- Worries that are hard to switch off, about yourself or people close to you.
- Needing to plan or control everything.
- Overthinking, especially in the evening or at night.
- Physical tension, tiredness, irritability, trouble concentrating.
Panic attacks: when fear strikes all at once
A racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, the feeling of losing control. Even once it passes, a panic attack often leaves a stubborn fear behind: that it will happen again.
- Fear of fainting, going mad or dying during the attack.
- Constantly checking on your body's sensations.
- Avoiding public transport, crowds, enclosed spaces or being far from home.
What links the two
In both cases, we try to protect ourselves: avoiding, checking, seeking reassurance. These strategies bring relief in the moment, but they tell the brain there really was a danger — and the fear comes back stronger.
How CBT helps
Together we identify the cycle that keeps your anxiety or panic going, then loosen it step by step with practical tools.
Depending on your situation: softening anxious thoughts, tolerating uncertainty better, changing how you relate to physical sensations, and gradually returning to the situations you avoid.
And during an attack?
A few simple pointers help you get through an attack without making it worse. They are part of the work, but the real goal is to stop fearing it. If you feel unusual pain or an unfamiliar kind of discomfort, see a doctor first.