Panic Disorder:
The NICE recommended treatment for panic disorder is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). During your treatment, your therapist will assess the components of your panic and they will work with you to set goals and develop a formulation of the problem. Your therapist will look at factors, such as the symptoms you experience and how you interpret these. They will closely monitor your reaction to these symptoms and how you cope during situations to manage your panic. In particular, your therapist will help you understand the link between your reactions and the ongoing maintenance of your panic. They will collaborate with you to develop a bespoke treatment plan, involving belief modification, behavioural experimentation and exposure, to help you manage your symptoms more effectively. Relapse maintenance will form an important aspect of your treatment, to help maintain the gains you have achieved during therapy.
What to look out for:
A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and during which time four or more of the following symptoms occur: Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint, derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself), fear of losing control or “going crazy”, fear of dying, paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensation), chills or hot flushes.
If you continue to experience ‘out of the blue’ panic attacks (as above) and this is not related to a physical health problem.
Fears of having another panic
Avoiding situations that may trigger a panic attack
Overcompensating by using certain behaviours to avoid another attack (sitting down during an episode, drinking water, checking pulse, seeking ongoing reassurance from others, particularly medical professionals, etc)
Treatment FOCUS
Type: CBT
Sessions: 8+
Length: 50 mins
Treatment Focus:
Assessment
Goal Setting
Formulation
Understanding the roll of misinterpretation
Panic monitoring
Belief modification
Behavioural Experiments
Exposure
Imagery modification
Relapse Prevention
Links
NICE Guidelines for Panic Disorder
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113
NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/panic-disorder/
No Panic
