Alison Hammond’s Panic Attack: How Hypnotherapy Can Help with Panic Attacks and Anxiety

When television presenter Alison Hammond experienced a frightening health scare live on This Morning, she highlighted something many people experience privately: a panic attack can feel terrifyingly real. But what happens when anxiety takes over, and how can hypnotherapy help you regain a sense of calm and control?

On 2 October 2026, viewers watched as Alison Hammond suddenly left the set of ITV’s This Morning after experiencing alarming physical symptoms. She was taken to hospital for medical checks after experiencing chest discomfort and difficulty breathing. Following tests, Alison explained that she had experienced a significant panic attack and had initially believed she was having a heart attack. She subsequently returned to the programme and spoke openly about how frightening the experience had been. "Read the news report" (https://www.hellorayo.co.uk/magic/entertainment/television/alison-hammond-this-morning-return).

Her experience is a valuable reminder that panic attacks are not simply a case of feeling a little nervous. They can be overwhelming, frightening and deeply unsettling, particularly when someone has never experienced one before.

As a Clinical Hypnotherapist in Sussex, I believe it is important to help people understand what happens during a panic attack, why anxiety can become a recurring problem, and how approaches such as hypnotherapy may help them develop healthier ways of responding to stress.

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety accompanied by physical and psychological symptoms. It can happen during a stressful situation or seemingly out of the blue.

Common symptoms of a panic attack include:

- A racing, pounding or noticeable heartbeat.

- Chest discomfort or pain.

- Shortness of breath or a feeling of being unable to catch your breath.

- Dizziness, light-headedness or feeling faint.

- Sweating, trembling or shaking.

- Nausea or an unsettled stomach.

- Tingling sensations.

- A feeling of losing control or something terrible happening.

These symptoms can be so intense that someone genuinely fears they are experiencing a heart attack or another medical emergency.

Panic attacks often peak quickly and commonly last between five and 20 minutes, although experiences vary. The physical sensations are real, even when anxiety is contributing to them.

Important: Never assume that chest pain, breathing difficulties or other new or severe physical symptoms are caused by anxiety. These symptoms can have other medical causes. Seek emergency medical help when appropriate, particularly if you suspect a heart attack. A medical assessment is important, even if you think you may be experiencing panic.

Why does a panic attack feel so frightening?

To understand panic, it helps to understand the body's natural threat-response system.

When the brain perceives danger, it can activate the fight-or-flight response. Stress hormones, including adrenaline, prepare the body to respond. Your heart may beat faster, your breathing may change and your muscles may tense.

This response is useful when genuine danger is present. However, it can also activate when you feel overwhelmed, threatened or anxious, even when there is no immediate physical danger.

The difficulty is that the physical sensations themselves can become frightening.

For example, you might notice your heart racing. You become concerned that something is wrong, which increases your anxiety. Your body responds with further physical symptoms, making you even more frightened.

This can create a self-reinforcing cycle:

Physical sensation → frightening interpretation → increased anxiety → stronger physical sensations → more fear.

Once someone has experienced a panic attack, they may become anxious about having another one. They might monitor their heartbeat, avoid certain places, worry about being alone or feel apprehensive about situations in which they fear they could lose control.

Over time, this fear of another attack can become almost as distressing as the attacks themselves.

Can anxiety cause panic attacks?

Yes. Anxiety and panic are closely related, although they are not identical.

General anxiety may involve persistent worrying, tension, overthinking, difficulty relaxing, disturbed sleep or a constant feeling that something might go wrong.

Panic attacks involve more sudden, intense episodes of fear and physical symptoms.

Some people experience an isolated panic attack during a particularly stressful period. Others experience recurring attacks alongside ongoing anxiety.

Stressful life events, work pressures, caring responsibilities, relationship difficulties, bereavement and prolonged emotional strain can all contribute to anxiety. Sometimes, however, there is no obvious trigger.

Understanding what may be contributing to your anxiety can be an important step towards managing it.

How can hypnotherapy help with panic attacks?

Hypnotherapy for panic attacks and anxiety aims to help people change the patterns of thinking, feeling and responding that may be maintaining their distress.

Hypnosis is a state of relaxed focused attention in which people may find it easier to concentrate on particular thoughts, or feelings. In this relaxed state, people become more receptive to positive behaviour or perception changes through guided imagery or verbal cues. It is not sleep, mind control or a loss of awareness.

As a Clinical Hypnotherapist, I use a solution-focused approach that looks at what you would like to change, what is already working in your life and how you can develop practical ways of moving forwards.

Depending on your individual needs, hypnotherapy may help you to:

1. Develop a calmer response to stress

Relaxation and hypnosis can provide an opportunity to practise settling the mind and body. With practice, these skills may help you respond differently to everyday pressures rather than remaining in a heightened state of alertness.

2. Reduce the fear of another panic attack

After a frightening episode, it is understandable to worry about it happening again. Hypnotherapy may help you explore your responses to those fears, develop a greater sense of safety and practise responding to anxious thoughts in a less alarming way.

3. Build confidence in your ability to cope

Anxiety can gradually undermine confidence. You may begin to avoid situations that previously felt manageable or lose trust in your ability to handle uncertainty.

Solution-focused hypnotherapy encourages you to identify your strengths, recognise progress and develop a more confident picture of how you want to manage future situations.

4. Improve relaxation and sleep

Anxiety and poor sleep can reinforce one another. Worry can make it difficult to switch off at night, while insufficient sleep can leave you feeling less able to cope with everyday challenges.

Relaxation techniques and hypnosis may support a more settled bedtime routine and help you practise switching off from persistent thoughts.

5. Address patterns of general anxiety

For some people, panic attacks occur against a background of chronic worry, overthinking or feeling constantly on edge.

Hypnotherapy sessions can provide space to explore these patterns and work towards a calmer, more manageable daily life.

The aim is not to promise that anxiety will disappear overnight. It is to help you develop skills and responses that may make anxiety easier to manage.

Is hypnotherapy effective for anxiety?

In my personal experience, I have helped many people learn how to manage their emotions and reduce the frequency of panic attacks. For some people hypnotherapy can be a life-enhancing experience, but I should say that individuals can respond differently and it may not be the right intervention for everyone.

Hypnotherapy can be considered as a complementary approach, depending on individual circumstances. (I cannot guarantee it as cure or a replacement for medical assessment or recommended treatment. It would be remiss of me not to include that the NHS guidance identifies psychological therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), as established treatment options for panic disorder along with, in certain circumstances, medication prescribed by a GP.)

As a practitioner, I believe good support begins with understanding the individual, their circumstances and what they hope to achieve.

What can you do if you feel a panic attack starting?

If you have already received appropriate medical assessment and recognise the symptoms as consistent with your usual panic attacks, the following strategies may help:

- Slow your breathing. Avoid forcing deep breaths. Try breathing comfortably and allowing your exhalation to be slow and unhurried. Watch a video I made where I teach a breathing exercise.

- Bring your attention to the present. Notice your feet against the floor, the objects around you or the sounds you can hear.

- Remind yourself that the intensity will pass. If you recognise the episode as a familiar panic attack, try not to interpret every sensation as proof that something terrible is happening.

- Seek reassurance and support when needed. You do not have to manage anxiety alone.

- Speak to your GP if attacks recur. Appropriate assessment and treatment can help prevent anxiety from increasingly restricting your life.

If symptoms are new, severe or different from your usual experience, seek medical advice rather than assuming they are panic-related.

You do not have to live at the mercy of anxiety

Alison Hammond's experience has helped bring an important subject into the public conversation. Panic attacks can happen to people from all walks of life, including those who usually appear confident, sociable and in control.

Experiencing panic is not a personal failing, and there is no reason to feel ashamed.

If you are living with anxiety, dreading another panic attack or finding that worry is affecting your sleep, confidence, relationships or enjoyment of life, support is available and I designed my Finding Peace of Mind Program for that reason.

As a Clinical Hypnotherapist in Sussex, I offer a supportive, solution-focused approach to help clients explore what they want to change and work towards feeling calmer and more confident.

If you would like to explore whether hypnotherapy could be appropriate for your anxiety or panic attacks, you are welcome to get in touch.

Visit https://www.andreaaro.co.uk to find out more about my hypnotherapy services in Sussex.

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Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are struggling with anxiety or recurrent panic attacks, speak to your GP or an appropriate healthcare professional about suitable support.