Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Panic disorder is a psychiatric condition associated with anxiety and causes panic attacks where a person experiences sudden terror feelings. It is the eruption of repeated panic attacks that occur spontaneously. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a psychotherapeutic treatment that has been proven to be effective against anxiety disorders. It helps people identify and change thought patterns that are disturbing and destructive and have a negative influence emotionally and on behavior (Perrota, 2019). Various CBT techniques are used to achieve and influence these thought patterns.

Cognitive restricting is a technique that involves considering one’s negative thought patterns. The client will identify these negative thought patterns, and they are then taught reframing these thoughts and making them work positively and constructively (Carpenter et al., 2018). Exposure therapy is effective in confronting fears, avoidance, and hypervigilance. The client is exposed gradually to situations that provoke fear, anxiety and avoidance and at the same time offer guidance on how to cope. It will make them reduce their vulnerability and improve their confidence in coping with situations.

Scheduling activities and activating behavior involve recognizing anxiety that provokes the client to panic attacks and anxiety. Scheduling other activities instead can help establish favorable habits and provide an ample opportunity to practice what has been learned. Relaxation and stress-reduction techniques such as imagery, deep breathing exercises, and muscle relaxation help lower anxiety and other behavioral responses and increase one’s sense of control in dealing with stressors. Lastly, role-playing helps walk through behaviors in potentially difficult situations. Possible scenarios that are played helps in lessening anxiety and different behaviors since they help one gain familiarity and confidence in handling certain situations and practicing social skills (Carpenter et al., 2018).

References

Perrotta, G. (2019). Panic disorder: definitions, contexts, neural correlates and clinical strategies. Current Trends in Clinical & Medical Sciences, 1.

Carpenter, J. K., Andrews, L. A., Witcraft, S. M., Powers, M. B., Smits, J. A., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials. Depression and anxiety, 35(6), 502-514.