Andrew Hunter

Common Therapy Options for Panic and Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety and panic disorders can be very frightening things to experience.  This article explores and explains some common therapy options that are offered today.

Panic attack therapy has been an effective way of alleviating panic disorders for many people.  Because each person and their condition is unique, the amount of time the treatment can take to be effective can vary significantly.  Sometimes you may need to wait many months before you can start to see any changes.

Patience is the most important thing when undergoing panic attack therapy.  One form of therapy may work for one person rather quickly, while a second person might need more time, or even a mix of different treatment types to treat their anxiety attacks.

Try to be flexible and avoid setting specific goals for recovery such as “I must recover in one month or else this method doesn’t work.”  This is a sure way to disappoint yourself and ensure that you don’t see results.  Give whichever therapy method you try a fair shot and give it time to show progress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a commonly-used and usually effective method to relieve panic and anxiety problems.  CBT is used to encourage people start to re-shape their thought and behavior patterns.  If you are seeking anxiety or panic attack therapy methods, it is very likely that you will be exposed to this in some form.

When you start out with CBT, you will probably design a plan with your doctor.  You might be given assignments to be finished on your own such as listing your personal goals that you will use to slowly ease yourself to circumstances that might cause anxiety or panic attacks for you.  You will probably be keeping a journal to record your thoughts and feelings as well as a way of looking back to see your successes in your recovery.

Depending on your condition, you may also be given medicine.  There are a lot of medications for panic disorders out there that can be very effective.  Medication, though is not a solution.  It just lowers your anxiety so that you can start to try out an effective recovery program.

Here are some recommended practices you might be asked to do as part of your panic attack therapy regimen.  Please talk to your doctor though before you attempt any of these on your own.  These tools are supposed to emulate some of the physical symptoms of panic attacks so that you can get used to experiencing them knowing that you are in full control of what is happening and eventually desensitize yourself from them.

First, you might try to hyperventilate for thirty seconds or so.  It is common that panic attacks begin with short and shallow breaths, so if you can begin to do this on your own, you can begin to feel more comfortable and derail an anxiety attack before it starts.

Also try spinning around several times to create a feeling of dizziness.  Dizziness is another common symptom of panic and anxiety disorders.

Jog in place or take up an aerobic exercise program to raise your heart beat and get used to that experience.

Anxiety disorder therapy can be an effective method of treating anxiety disorders by gradually getting you accustomed to common physical symptoms of a panic attack.  Again, it may take some patience to experience measurable progress in your recovery so don't give up on whatever program or form of therapy your doctor recommends.

Article Tags: Anxiety Disorders, Panic Attack

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