Panic anxiety usually results in anxiety or panic attacks for no apparent reason. The causes of panic disorder are not always known. The condition may begin because of an incident or series of incidents, but the frequent episodes of anxiety come about in normally non-threatening situations, such as being in a crowded place, driving a car or other circumstances.
Education
Psychotherapy helps anxiety patients deal with their fears. Psych Central notes that education plays an important role in treating panic disorders. During therapy, the patient is taught about the “fight-or-flight” response, the body’s reaction to perceived threats, resulting in accelerated heart rate, or a burst of energy to either confront a dangerous situation or flee. Patients learn to recognize the sensations that overcome them when they feel anxiety or panic.
Discussion
Therapists discuss the patient’s irrational fears, which may include thoughts of suddenly dying, passing out or being embarrassed in public. Patients are taught to recognize that their fears are unfounded, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. They are encouraged not to avoid the situations that provoke panic reactions, and instead, focus on their strengths and positive thoughts to confront the situation. Support groups may also offer help for some people with panic disorder. People can discuss their individual problems with others, and exchange thoughts or coping skills on how to deal with their panic anxiety.
Function
Relaxation or imagery techniques help people with panic disorder decrease immediate distress from their fears. The patient recreates situations and reactions that cause panic attacks in the safety of the therapist’s office, the Mayo Clinic explains. Deep breathing exercises help them relax. Picturing a pleasant place in the mind when an attack feels imminent provides calm. Biofeedback can be helpful in understanding the body’s responses to fears. Patients are connected to equipment that measures their heart rate and other body functions. They learn relaxation methods to control the physical responses and reduce the reactions.
Effects
Exposure therapy gradually exposes people to the situations or places that may cause their panic attacks. Patients can slowly become desensitized to these fears and realize no real harm will come to them. The therapy is done repeatedly until patients are comfortable with the anxiety-provoking situations. Patients may practice confronting their fears through exercises that include spinning in a chair, or breathing quickly until they feel faint. The exercises help them understand they will not pass out because of their physical responses to situations.
Considerations
Some people with panic anxiety may not need medication. Others benefit from anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants that help calm moods. Some patients need to take medication to control their mental functioning before undergoing psychotherapy. Medication helps reduce the frequency of panic attacks for many people, and may have to be taken over a long period of time to stop the anxiety from returning, according to the Merck Manuals. Beta-blockers, which treat heart conditions, may be prescribed to control the physical reactions, such as heart palpitations or racing heart that accompany their panic attacks.
