Panic Disorder Research Paper

Panic disorder is identified as an anxiety disorder characterised by recurrent panic attacks involving intense fear or discomfort. The attacks are spontaneous in nature and to be diagnosed with panic disorder at least one of the attacks must be followed by a month or more of constant concern regarding when the next attack is going to occur (page 172 gale group). Plus, panic attacks have four or more symptoms, such as sweating, nausea, heart palpitations, chest pain, fear of dying, and shortness of breath, that quickly develop and reach a climax within ten minutes (page 363 handbook). It is important to note that panic disorder may occur with or without agoraphobia, which is the fear of being in places from which escape might be difficult (page …show more content…
Additionally, the treatment is works well for those that have comorbid conditions, also the treatment can improve the outcome for those comorbid conditions(page 963 science direct). This type of therapy is a learning based approach that targets the relearning of safety in relation to the avoidance of panic and fears ( page serial ). The treatment emphasise on components of psychoeducation about panic, cognitive restructuring, correct misconceptions regarding panic symptoms, identify and correct distortions in thinking, and interoceptive exposure to feared bodily sensations or feared situation. The treatment emphasises on these components, because it will help the patient to obtain correct information that disproves fearful misappraisals and to help lessen fear response (page 963 science direct).For example, in cognitive restructuring exercises patients are asked to look at their cognitions and learn to treat their thoughts as guesses rather than facts. Afterwards, the patients are asked to review evidence for their thoughts, so that the paientents can learn to generate and use rational responses when faced with a fear provoking situation (page