What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterised by recurring panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of fear and anxiety that typically last for several minutes and can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. Individuals experiencing panic disorder often experience a sense of impending doom or a fear of losing control during panic attacks.
What are the symptoms of panic attack?
- shaking
- feeling disorientated.
- nausea
- rapid, irregular heartbeats.
- dry mouth.
- breathlessness
- sweating
- dizziness
An individual does not need to experience all of these to be having a panic attack. Typically, an individual will experience at least three of these panic attack symptoms. These physical symptoms are also experienced with a surge of anxious thoughts related to losing control or going ‘crazy’, which are also some of the common panic disorder symptoms.
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What causes panic disorder?
The exact causes of panic disorder are not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Panic disorder may be triggered by stress, trauma, or major life changes, and may also be associated with certain medical conditions or substance use. Aging can also cause an imbalance in hormones; for instance, peri menopausal and menopausal women may experience heightened anxiety that can contribute to developing panic disorder during this transitional period.
How to treat panic disorder?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective panic disorder treatment, offering a structured treatment for panic disorder that addresses both physical and mental symptoms. When using CBT for panic attacks, the aim is to help individuals identify and challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs about panic attacks, develop coping strategies for managing anxiety, and gradually confront their fears through exposure response prevention (ERP), making it a well-established therapy for panic disorder. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing individuals to the situations or stimuli that trigger panic attacks, in a safe and controlled environment, until the individual can tolerate these without experiencing panic symptoms.
During CBT for panic disorder, individuals also learn relaxation techniques, attention training skills and stress management skills, alongside problem-solving strategies to help individuals manage anxiety and prevent panic attacks. It can also help individuals develop a greater understanding of the underlying causes of why they are experiencing panic disorder, and to develop a more balanced and constructive outlook on their ability to manage these symptoms. Overall, this form of therapy for panic disorder has been found to be highly effective in reducing panic symptoms and improving quality of life.
Contact
If you feel that you, a friend or relative would like help to break free from panic disorder, then please get in touch with me, a panic disorder Psychotherapist via email: info@homebasedtalkingtherapy.com
To receive evidence-based online CBT therapy or in-person support with a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in London, please click here.