Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder Panic Disorder Treatment Print Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder By Katharina Star, PhD facebook linkedin Katharina Star, PhD, is an expert on anxiety and panic disorder. Dr. Star is a professional counselor, and she is trained in creative art therapies and mindfulness. Learn about our editorial policy Katharina Star, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 02, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on June 24, 2019 Tom M Johnson / Blend / Getty Images More in Panic Disorder Treatment Symptoms Diagnosis Coping Related Conditions If youve decided to go to psychotherapy for panic disorder, you may be wondering what your therapeutic treatment options are. Numerous types of therapy are available, depending on your therapist’s approach and training background. Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP) is one such option thats been shown to be effective in treating panic disorder; another effective psychotherapyâ€"often considered to be the most popular type of therapy for anxiety disordersâ€"is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Due to its proven effectiveness, goal-oriented focus, and quick results, professionals who treat panic disorder often prefer CBT to other forms of therapy. The following describes the CBT approach and explains how its used to treat panic disorder, panic attacks, and agoraphobia. What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or simply CBT, is a form of psychotherapy used in the treatment of mental health conditions. The underlying concepts of CBT are based on the notion that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and perceptions influence her actions and behaviors. According to the tenets of CBT, a person may not always be able to change her life circumstances, but she can choose how she perceives and acts upon life’s ups and downs. CBT works to help change a person’s faulty or negative thinking, and assists in shifting unhealthy behaviors. CBT is currently used for the treatment of numerous mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. CBT has also been found to be an effective treatment option for some medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. Panic Disorder Discussion Guide Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctors appointment. Download PDF CBT as a Treatment One of the main goals of CBT is to help a client overcome negative thinking patterns so that he may be able to make better choices in his actions and behaviors. In general, people with panic disorder are often more susceptible to negative thoughts and self-defeating beliefs, which can result in lowered self-esteem and increased anxiety. Fearful and negative thinking is often associated with panic attacks, the main symptom of panic disorder. Panic attacks are frequently experienced through a mix of physical and cognitive symptoms. Typical somatic symptoms include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, and excessive sweating. These symptoms are often perceived as frightening and can lead to distressing thoughts, such as a fear of losing control, going crazy or dying. Fears associated with panic attacks can become so intense that they begin to negatively impact a person’s behaviors. For example, a person may begin to fear having an attack while driving or in front of other people (thoughts). The person will then avoid driving or being in crowded areas (behaviors). Such behaviors lead to a separate condition known as agoraphobia. With agoraphobia, fearful thoughts become instilled over time, and avoidance behaviors only serve to reinforce these fears. CBT can assist people with panic disorder and/or agoraphobia in developing ways to manage their symptoms. A person may not be able to control when he has a panic attack, but he can learn how to effectively cope with his symptoms. CBT assists the client in achieving lasting change through a two-part process. Can Panic Disorder Be Permanently Cured or Only Improved? The CBT Process Recognize and Replace Negative Thoughts. The CBT therapist will first assist the client in identifying his negative cognitions or thinking patterns. For instance, a person may be directed to contemplate how he perceives himself, views the world or feels during a panic attack. By focusing on the thought process, a person can begin to recognize his typical thought patterns and how it influences his behaviors.The therapist may use a wide range of activities and exercises to help the client become aware of his negative thoughts, and learn to replace them with healthier ways of thinking. Additionally, homework activities are often assigned between sessions to help the client in continually identifying and eliminating faulty thinking.Writing exercises can be a powerful way to conquer faulty thinking patterns. These exercises may be used to increase awareness of and replace negative thoughts. Some common CBT writing exercises include journal writing, keeping a gratitude journal, using affir mations, and maintaining a panic diary.Skill Building and Behavioral Changes. The next step of CBT involves building on healthy coping strategies to change maladaptive behaviors. During this phase, the client will learn to develop skills to help in reducing stress, managing anxiety, and getting through panic attacks. These skills may be rehearsed in session, but its also important that the client practices new behaviors outside of therapy, too.Desensitization is a common CBT technique that is used to help the client get past avoidance behaviors. Through systematic desensitization, the CBT therapist gradually introduces the client to anxiety-producing stimuli while teaching him how to manage his feelings of anxiety. The person is slowly introduced to more fear-inducing situations, developing ways to cope with panic symptoms through each feared circumstance.To help remain calm through anxiety-provoking circumstances, relaxation techniques are also learned. These skills assist in manag ing fears, lowering heart rate, reducing tension, and improving problem-solving skills. Some common relaxation techniques include deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), yoga, and meditation. Being one of the most widely used forms of therapy, CBT may be part of your recovery process. CBT can help in reducing symptoms on its own, but many will find a combination of treatment options to be the most beneficial. Your doctor or therapist can help you determine if CBT is right for you and assist you in developing a treatment plan that will best suit your needs. The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs