Has anyone ever panicked/had a panic attack in a therapy session?

If yes, what did your therapist do, if anything?

My therapist just sat there and stared as if nothing was happening, even though she knows the protocol for when I panic

I would be very grateful to hear your experiences

It happened as I was seeing my pDoc, just as our 20 minute appointment was wrapping up! He asked me a few questions, to describe what I was feeling clearly. Got me to talk for a few extra minutes and then he really had to end our appointment. I was an emotional wreck & did NOT want to leave, but I reluctantly did anyway.

I think that some change was later made in my medicines? But it hasn't happened ever since. Thank goodness!!

It happened to me a few weeks ago. I initially tried to hide the increasing levels of anxiety that were setting in, but decided to just mention it instead. I ended up sitting there, twitching and shaking quite a bit, tried breathing, then got up to use the restroom, then felt a bit better.

It was sort of embarrassing, but trained mental health professionals won't judge you.

Happens to me often! My therapist will ask me what thought brought on the panic. We then do some relaxation exercises and discuss my negative thinking.

It has happened a couple times. She talked me down to a calm place where we could discuss what happened. She was the one that encouraged me to do DBT so she kept saying things like "use your DBT skills, Inhale/Exhale and focus.

A very big part of my mental health problems, is anxiety, so yeah, I am pretty much anxious all the time. I definitely "panicked" in my sessions, but for me it's kind of normal; sometimes I'm not even sure I'm having a panic attack or not, because a lot of the symptoms are just every day life for me.

I'm sure my therapist/psychologist did things like speaking more gently, choosing her words carefully, yadda yadda, but I don't recall her ever doing anything particularly significant. What can she do? Nothing, except get on with it.

I'm on Propranolol, now, and recently cancelled my CBT, after 16 or 17 sessions, so I guess I won't have to worry about anxiety in therapy, anymore, ... at least, not until I go for further help for my anxiety, OCD, and/or depression.

What's the protocol for when you panic?

it happens to me. t was quiet. but asked questions every so often.

I'm sorry you suffer with anxiety at such a great length

It's only happened once, but if she sees the 'telltale' signs that I'm starting to panic, she'll edge a bit closer on her seat (I think she means to be closer to reassure me, but it seems to make things worse :/) and she'll ask why I'm getting anxious, but that's basically it. Sometimes I wish she'd just give me a hug and hold my hand or something to get me back on the ground. But she just sits there

Not in a therapy session. Had them, at work, at home, various places, but not there. Well, at least they got to experience, your experience

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Ah, **** happens. I have my arms, legs, life, eyes, ears, etc.

Yeah, I really think it wouldn't be appropriate for a therapist to get all physical like that. You should tell her that her coming closer like that, makes it worse. It would make me worse, too, ... actually, I'd full on freak out, ... I'd find it a bit creepy and probably never see her again. You could ask her for some grounding techniques.

I know it wouldn't be appropriate, it's just a technique that a close friend came up with, and it seems to work with her. Not sure if it'd work with my T though, which is why I'd want her to ask first and do it only once just to see :/
I might do that, but I'm not really in my own head when I panic (that probably sounds odd) so I think I'd be miles away and wouldn't really understand what's going on... the only thing that seems to help is touch, because I can feel it, and i don't need to know who's on the other end...

Indeed. That's why I suggested you ask her for grounding techniques. It sounds like you dissociate; sort of lock up. One such technique is to use your senses (you seem to find touch helpful) like smell, touch, hearing, and taste. You could touch something, like, say, a material you're wearing, and focus on the texture; just keep focusing on the texture.. maybe doing breathing exercises while you're at it. You can do that quite discreetly, too, which is one of the reasons I do stuff like that. It might sound daft, but it can often work, because it takes you out of that little bubble in your head (totally understand that) and grounds you. I also use joss-sticks, which serve a similar purpose as a scented candle: to relax you. I also use taste, by drinking things like Earl Grey tea, and peppermint tea. Ask your therapist; she can give you a lot of information.