Cope With Panic Attacks
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Posted by Lisa C. DeLuca Oct 12, 2008 |
When I was in graduate school I was shocked and appalled at how misunderstood panic attacks were by the people who were being trained to treat them. Since graduate school doesn't provide the training needed to treat panic disorder (at least mine didn't) I realized that people would have a difficult time finding someone to treat their panic attacks.
Since I was lucky enough to already have had some training in cognitive behavioral treatment of panic disorder, I decided to specialize in it. Recent studies are showing that cognitive-behavioral therapy alone is preferable to combining the therapy with medication. Medication alone is the least effective option long-term. Panic disorder is one of the easiest disorders to treat, though finding a specialist to treat you may be difficult.
Self-help is useful but it is not a substitute for treatment. I have written several articles about panic disorder on this site to help inform people who are having panic attacks, and motivate them to seek treatment. There is hope, even though it might feel hopeless. Even if panic attacks are due to something other than panic disorder, it is possible to find ways to cope better.
I hope you find these articles useful.
Going Crazy or Dying of Panic?
The Many Causes of Panic Disorder
Some Chronic Symptoms of Anxiety
How Chronic Anxiety Triggers Panic