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What’s the most effective type of therapy for panic attacks?
What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder which causes someone to experience recurrent and unexpected attacks of panic and anxiety.
The symptoms of a panic attack are not dangerous but they can be incredibly frightening.
Panic disorder signs and symptoms
Panic attacks are a central symptom of panic disorder (and perhaps the most recognisable one), but they’re not the only one. There are a wide range of other behavioural, psychological and physiological symptoms associated with this type of anxiety disorder.
Physiological:
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, light-headed or faint
- Chills or heat sensations
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Depersonalisation (feeling “out of body”)
Behavioural:
- Avoiding situations
- Avoiding any physical activity that may trigger a feeling similar to a panic attack
- Placing yourself close to exits in a room
- Being accompanied to places by a family member or friend in anticipation of a panic attack
Psychological:
- Worrying about future panic attacks
- Fear of having a heart attack
- Fear of dying
- Feelings of loss of control
How does panic disorder develop?
Panic disorder often develops following a period of heightened stress or after a major life event like the loss of a loved one or a serious illness.
It’s also been shown to hold a genetic basis which means you’re more likely to develop it if a family member also has the disorder.
Frequently asked questions
When should I get help for panic disorder?
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by your symptoms and they are getting in the way of you living your life in the way you’d like to, it’s important to seek professional help. Without the right support, you might find yourself withdrawing from situations out of fear of having a panic attack which could leave you isolated.
Which treatments are most effective for panic disorder?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy are all effective treatments for panic disorder.
What causes panic disorder?
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. It usually manifests when symptoms of anxiety have escalated to very high levels. The symptoms of a panic attack can feel physically intense which can lead to a lot of fear around it happening again. Unfortunately, this can end up perpetuating the problem as this fear often leads someone to avoid anxiety-provoking situations reinforcing the symptoms.
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