Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP) is one such option that’s been shown to be effective in treating panic disorder; another effective psychotherapy—often considered to be the most popular type of therapy for anxiety disorders—is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is another option that can be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. EMDR is often used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers suggest that EMDR can be helpful for panic disorder for the same reasons it is useful for PTSD since panic disorder often involves difficult memories and distressing panic attacks. Due to its proven effectiveness, goal-oriented focus, and quick results, professionals who treat panic disorder often prefer CBT to other forms of therapy. Research also suggests that CBT is consistently more effective than panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP) as well as applied relaxation training (ART) in the treatment of panic disorder. The following describes the CBT approach and explains how it’s used to treat panic disorder, panic attacks, and agoraphobia.
What Is CBT?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or simply CBT, is a form of psychotherapy used in the treatment of mental health conditions. The underlying concepts of CBT are based on the notion that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and perceptions influence their actions and behaviors. CBT works to help change a person’s faulty or negative thinking, and assists in shifting unhealthy behaviors. CBT is currently used for the treatment of numerous mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. CBT has also been found to be an effective treatment option for some medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. Research has also found that internet-based CBT is just as effective as in-person CBT. This could be particularly beneficial in the treatment of panic disorder since it may help people feel that therapy is more accessible and comfortable.
CBT as a Treatment
One of the main goals of CBT is to help a client overcome negative thinking patterns so that they may be able to make better choices in their actions and behaviors. In general, people with panic disorder are often more susceptible to negative thoughts and self-defeating beliefs, which can result in lowered self-esteem and increased anxiety. There was an error. Please try again. Panic attacks are frequently experienced through a mix of physical and cognitive symptoms. Typical somatic symptoms include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, and excessive sweating. These symptoms are often perceived as frightening and can lead to distressing thoughts, such as a fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying. Fears associated with panic attacks can become so intense that they begin to negatively impact a person’s behaviors. For example, a person may begin to fear having an attack while driving or in front of other people (thoughts). The person will then avoid driving or being in crowded areas (behaviors). Such behaviors lead to a separate condition known as agoraphobia. With agoraphobia, fearful thoughts become instilled over time, and avoidance behaviors only serve to reinforce these fears. CBT can assist people with panic disorder and/or agoraphobia in developing ways to manage their symptoms. A person may not be able to control when they have a panic attack, but they can learn how to effectively cope with their symptoms. CBT assists the client in achieving lasting change through a two-part process.
The CBT Process
A Word From Verywell
As one of the most widely used forms of therapy, CBT may be part of your recovery process. CBT can help in reducing symptoms on its own, but many will find a combination of treatment options to be the most beneficial. Your doctor or therapist can help you determine if CBT is right for you and assist you in developing a treatment plan that will best suit your needs.
