Panic attacks can occur when you have an anxiety disorder. Triggers of a panic attack may be challenging to anticipate, especially if you have not reached out for treatment for your anxiety disorder. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder and can cause scary symptoms, such as a racing heart and hyperventilating. If you experience a panic attack, knowing the triggers of a panic attack can provide you with the skills necessary to cope with your symptoms. If you need treatment for an anxiety disorder, contact our adolescent mental health treatment center. 

At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we’re proud to offer a teen anxiety treatment program. We treat teens between the ages of 14 and 18 using a range of holistic and evidence-based treatment options. To learn more about our services, please get in touch with Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275 to learn more about panic attack triggers. 

Panic Attack Triggers

Panic attacks can cause severe symptoms that can require medical treatment. Panic attack triggers can vary depending on the individual, meaning that while something may serve as a trigger for you, someone else with an anxiety disorder may have different triggers. Panic attacks have an immediate onset and can last anywhere from several minutes to one hour.

Symptoms of a panic attack can include:

• Sweating
• Shaking
• Crying
• Hyperventilating
• Feeling like something terrible is about to occur

When you experience a panic attack, it can feel like you are unable to breathe or like you are going to have a heart attack. Severe panic attacks may require medical intervention, which is why avoiding the triggers of a panic attack are essential. Although triggers vary depending on the individual, some common triggers of a panic attack include:

• Large groups of people
• Severe stress
• Medical conditions
• Conflict with others, such as arguments
• Major life changes

Remembering that even when you know the triggers of a panic attack, they are sometimes unavoidable, especially if you do not engage in treatment.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Mental health issues are common among high-schoolers and adolescents. Teens can have a more difficult time coping with mental illness, as puberty and peer pressure can aggravate symptoms and cause feelings of isolation. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in the United States and can cause disabling symptoms when you avoid treatment.

The good news is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable. The first step in the treatment process is to get an accurate diagnosis, which can be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist. Medications, such as anti-anxiety medication, can reduce severe symptoms. You can use medicines for short-term or long-term management of your symptoms.

An anxiety treatment program for teens can help you stabilize and connect with outpatient programs if you are experiencing severe symptoms.

Outpatient programs can offer:

• Partial hospitalization options
• Intensive outpatient programs
• Individual counseling
• EMDR treatment
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Evidence-based therapies help you identify and change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Individual counseling allows you to work with a therapist to cope with triggers of a panic attack, which can make your anxiety easier to manage. Another critical benefit of treatment is that it can improve your communication skills. It can be challenging to express your emotions, which is why therapy works to enhance your ability to share your needs and struggles with family members, loved ones, and friends.

Holistic therapies, such as meditation, are excellent coping mechanisms. Finding ways to relax and improve your ability to manage stress can reduce the severity of your symptoms. During anxiety treatment, your therapist and treatment team will create a personalized plan, as evidence-based and holistic therapies can be combined.

Finding Help Today at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery

You can experience social isolation, depression, and panic attacks when you struggle with an anxiety disorder. Triggers of a panic attack can develop rapidly, which is why anxiety treatment prepares you for how to manage your symptoms. Even if anxiety makes you feel alone, treatment provides you with the support you need to recover. We also offer treatment for a range of additional conditions, including:

• Depression treatment
• Bipolar disorder treatment
• Disordered eating treatment
• Substance use treatment
• Process disorder treatment

Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery at 866.300.5275 today to review your treatment options.