Controlling Panic Attacks Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral therapy is the mostCognitive Behavioral therapy is effective in controlling
recommended treatment for controlling panic attacks.panic attacks for the following groups or conditions:
The principle lies on the assumption that the• Individuals experiencing mild to moderate case of
individual's mood is based on his own patterns ofpanic anxiety.
thought. CBT focuses on negative thought• Patients who do not wish to take medication.
recognition, evaluation of its validity, and replacement• The adolescent age group who has experienced
of unconstructive reactions into something healthierfrequent relapses.
and more appropriate for the body.• Adults who have not responded well to other
Definitiontreatment options.
CBT is different from other therapies for the• Anyone who is motivated and who has the
following reasons:capacity to control and discipline one's self.
1. The therapy concentrates on two specific tasks -The Standard Procedure
the immediate present and cognitive restructuring. ItCBT is rendered by mental health professionals who
changes the way a person responds to stressors andhave received special training to conduct the therapy.
it helps an individual overcome obstacles.The process may vary from one health professional
2. CBT prioritizes goals.to another, but the sessions normally have the
3. An educational approach is followed in the program.following outline:
Patients are asked to write down their response to• The patient is checked for symptoms of panic
stress as well as the coping strategies they use.attack.
4. Patients maintain an active role in CBT. They• The therapist sets a schedule for meetings.
identify their negative thoughts and find ways to• Assignments are given to the patient and
control them.followed up during the next meeting.
5. The program includes several strategies: behavioral• Problems are discussed and coping strategies will
experiments, guided discovery, imagery, role playing,be taught for controlling panic attacks.
and Socratic questioning.• The session ends with an evaluation from the
6. The treatment process is limited and will last fortherapist and feedback from both parties.
only 3 to 4 months.• Normally, one session would last for 50 minutes
Target Groupto an hour.