Comparing The Treatment Of Panic Disorder And Psychotherapy

Treatment for panic disorder is achieved through either of two approaches: medication or psychotherapy. In addition, both strategies can be used together for the same patient. Psychotherapy is a type cognitive behaviour therapy that helps a patient to change their behaviour. Psychotherapy also treats panic disorder by helping the patient to change their ways of thinking and how they react to stressful situations. This helps to equip the patient with ways of managing his or her anxiety and fear in a positive manner. Therapy using this approach requires a trained counsellor or psychologist. The basis of using psychotherapy is based on the understanding that the disorder is a psychological disorder and, therefore, requires psychological interventions (National Institute of Mental Health, 2014).
Treatment for panic disorder may also involve the use of medication …show more content…
The use of medications may also help to correct the imbalance in the neurotransmitter in the brain. The commonly prescribed medications for panic disorders are antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Anti-anxiety drugs include diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, and oxazepam among others. Antidepressants are used in treatment of depression but are also used for treating panic disorders. However, antidepressants and anti-anxiety depressants have various side effects such as nausea, headache, and difficulty on sleeping among others (National Institute of Mental Health, 20114). Some of the commonly prescribed antidepressants for treating panic disorders include imipramines, desipramines, doxepin, clomipramine, nortriptyline, and trazodone. Some common commercial