Treatment of Panic Disorder

Anxiety Disorders

Treatment of Panic Disorder

Basic Treatment Steps

For many sufferers, self-help is a viable long-term solution. Sufferers who have spasmodic attacks are often able to work through a program on their own, or with the help of a friend.

Ironically, however, spasmodic sufferers may be the least likely to attempt a change. This is because panic attacks can appear to be in remission, sometimes for years, and spasmodic sufferers may convince themselves that they are cured. (When the level of background anxiety in their life increases again, however, it becomes clear that panic attacks are still a problem.) The most helpful quality in treatment is a sincere desire and drive to overcome panic.

The first stage is to educate the participant on the true source of their panics. They learn that their panics are not spontaneous, as they may have believed. A panic begins in the sufferer’s own fleeting thoughts, and so is predictable. A treatment program teaches participants to recognize and stop these thoughts before they cause anxiety.

Stage two of treatment demonstrates techniques for coping with anxiety. Participants are taught how to relax even in the middle of a stressful situation. They learn to plan an ‘escape route’, for example by sitting near the aisle in a lecture. Simply knowing that they can escape a situation (if they need to) is all that many sufferers need to overcome panic. Positive thinking is emphasized, and if anxiety is felt for a future event, participants are taught to rehearse that event in their imagination.

To conclude this stage, participants are taught cognitive distraction techniques. Panic disorder has been described as being ultimately self-centered, because the sufferer’s thoughts are always of their own fear and embarrassment. Here, the focus of the participant is turned outwards. The feelings of others are stressed. Participants learn that many people experience the same feelings as them.

For stage three, participants are told to make a list of situations that cause them anxiety or panic. The list is then ordered from the least scary situation to the most. Over weeks, months, or years, participants are encouraged to put themselves in those situations, gradually stepping further out of their comfort zone. As a first step, they might simply walk around the supermarket with a friend. Then, they will attempt to go and buy a small item on their own. Learned coping techniques are put to use here, and many sufferers find that they make it through progressively more stressful situations. If a panic attack does occur, this is not to be seen as a failure, but rather as an opportunity to learn.

Professional Help

For acute sufferers, for instance those who cannot leave the house, professional help may be needed. Approaches differ, but many practitioners will have the sufferer follow the steps listed above. When a sufferer finds that the attacks are less spasmodic, they may be encouraged to follow through the remaining steps by themselves.

Sedatives

Sedatives do not strike at the heart of the panic problem, but may help with some of the worst symptoms. However, all sedatives are addictive. Larger doses will be required as time goes by, so they should only be seen as short-term helpers for particularly severe anxiety.