I am just needing some extra help tackling panic attacks. Will CBT help?

Thank you for reaching out with your concerns. I cannot imagine how it has been for you. Anxiety can be difficult to manage because it does serve a purpose. In some cases it does serve to keep us safe and aware but in most cases, it can become too active and result in cases such as yours where it makes day to day difficult, even on the good days. 

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can absolutely be helpful in addressing anxiety. CBT is actually one of the most common forms of therapeutic intervention. It focuses on the thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how they are interconnected--- so changing thoughts, can in turn change how we feel and then act. EX: thought "If I go to this party, people are going to judge me"- reframing thought "If I got to this party, I could meet a new friend". DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) is another common practice that is helpful for anxiety because if focuses a lot on mindfulness and grounding, BUT instead of changing the thought focuses on how to accept the thought for what it is instead. Ex: "If I got to this party, people are going to judge me" -accepting thought "If I go to this party, people are going to judge me, but that is okay because I am okay with who I am"

In most cases, therapists utilize a combination of psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral type therapies. It can be helpful when matching with a therapist to ask about their theoretical orientation. For example: I come from a person centered practice, but utilize CBT to intervene with my clients. 

When it comes to anxiety, and many other struggles--- it is helpful to explore and understand the root cause. So that doesn't mean you have to go back to birth and explore your whole life. You can focus on the here and now, while still recognizing where the root cause is. Example: At work you struggle to make mistakes-- through exploration you may connect that the root cause is because when you were in school your teachers would tell you that people who make mistakes are lazy. Now in present day you are worried about being perceived as lazy by your boss or co-workers. You have that information and now you can challenge, reframe, and accept it. 

That is just an example, but I am just trying to stress the importance of exploration. Finding a therapist who is willing to explore with you but also offer skills, tips, tricks, and help you to reframe and accept anxious thoughts is important in helping you to get to this new healthier lifestyle. It can be done, and yes it is work, but I know you can do it when you are ready!