| Anxiety and panic are typical human reactions | | | | To combat the debilitating experience of panic |
| linked to self-awareness and self-preservation. | | | | attacks, applied relaxation therapy (AR) is often |
| The flight-or-fight instinct is the brain’s | | | | used to help people cope with the physical |
| subconscious solution to immediate threats of | | | | symptoms and gain control of the situation. The |
| danger. Slamming on the brakes in reaction to the | | | | occurrence of panic attacks varies in patients, and |
| threat of a car accident, fleeing from a building at | | | | the physical symptoms, brought on by the cycle |
| the sound of a fire alarm and administering frantic | | | | of inner thoughts and worries, can be terrifying to |
| back blows to one’s choking child are | | | | patients. Applied Relaxation therapy is often used |
| examples of how anxiety and panic guide human | | | | together with CBT to provide patients with a |
| actions. | | | | variety of methods of addressing their thoughts, |
| People who are diagnosed with panic disorder | | | | reactions and actions. |
| experience overwhelming fear and panic over | | | | Another approach used to treat panic disorder is |
| situations that typically do not require such serious | | | | pharmacotherapy, or the use of medications, as a |
| concern. For those who suffer from fear, life can | | | | short- or long-term option. Anxiolytics, which are |
| be an unending cycle of perceived anxiety and | | | | anti-anxiety medications, or selective serotonin |
| physical suffering. | | | | reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are sometimes |
| Depending upon the seriousness of the condition, | | | | prescribed to alter the brain chemistry in order to |
| psychologists typically use a combination of | | | | alleviate symptoms or to aid in the success of |
| approaches for helping patients diagnosed with | | | | other therapies. Common SSRIs used to treat |
| panic disorder. Physical symptoms of panic | | | | panic disorders include Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft. |
| attacks can include rapid heartbeat, paralyzing | | | | Xanax, Ativan and Valium are also commonly |
| terror, trembling and difficulty breathing. | | | | prescribed by psychiatrists. |
| Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Applied | | | | Fear, panic and anxiety are believed to be traits |
| Relaxation therapy (AR) are used by | | | | that have evolved in the brain to alert and |
| psychologists, often in conjunction with prescribed | | | | protect people from dangers. When people react |
| medications, to treat patients with panic disorders. | | | | or overreact to irrational, perceived threats or |
| Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of | | | | find themselves locked in a cycle of fear, anxiety |
| psychotherapy, in which patients are taught how | | | | and panic, psychiatrists help them find solutions to |
| their thoughts affect their reactions and how they | | | | their conditions. Flight-or-Fight is a necessary |
| can apply strategies for controlling these reactions. | | | | instinct in human beings that increases our |
| The goal is to help patients understand the | | | | chances of survival in hazardous situations. |
| difference between rational and irrational concerns | | | | However, when this instinct takes over, life can |
| and behaviors. Patients first learn to identify | | | | be frightening and chaotic. Treating constant fear |
| triggers and concerns that begin their cycle of | | | | and panic through the use of cognitive-behavioral |
| anxiety and panic. Next, psychologists help | | | | therapy, applied relaxation therapy and |
| patients understand their own behavior patterns | | | | prescription medications can allow patients to learn |
| and thoughts processes. Finally, patients practice | | | | methods for combating panic disorders in order to |
| and apply strategies for modifying and controlling | | | | experience more comfortable lives. |
| their thoughts and reactions. | | | | |