Interoceptive Therapy Shown to Reduce Panic Attacks

Treatment of panic attacks, anxiety and panic disorder include pharmacological

, psychotherapy and counseling - and current guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association suggest a combined treatment approach is the most effective in combating panic disorders.

Currently the most successful treatment is cognitive behavioral treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to have the patient rethink their reactions to the experience that causes them to have panic attacks. Around 80% of patients who undergo cognitive behavioral therapy make a full recovery and are classed as panic-free.

Key to this therapy for anxiety attacks is interoceptive therapy which aims to simulate in a controlled environment the symptoms of a panic attack. Typically these symptom inductions will last for one minute. The patient is encouraged to hyperventilate, perhaps spin in a chair to induce dizziness, hold their breath to generate feelings of being out of breath and perform strenuous exercise to increase heart rate, perspiration and respiration.

These exercises mimic a panic attack, and many sufferers experience some considerable distress, so exercises must be performed in controlled conditions. Over the period of a few weeks the panic attack sufferer should begin to feel less fear of these symptoms, and therefore no anxiety relating to them.

It is thought that the brain begins to learn nothing untoward happens to the patient when experiencing the panic attack symptoms and the exaggerated nervous system reaction fades.

Another form of psychotherapy focuses on discussing the stressors that caused the anxiety in the first place, rather than focusing on the resultant symptoms. This can include exploring a traumatic experience in the person's past, separation anxiety or how the role of dependency has affected the sufferer.

In all cases it has been shown that sufferers who have a strong support structure of friends and family are much more likely to make a speedy recovery. It is sometimes the case that the sufferer has become ostracized from their friends and family due to the sufferer's reactive behavior to the panic disorder symptoms they may have retreated into alcohol or substance abuse, and their behavior was destructive and detrimental to their family unit.

Once the true reason behind the panic attack sufferer's actions is known, if an early reconciliation is possible it will aid in their recovery. If this is not a possibility there are many anxiety support groups who can be that support structure in the family's stead.

Interoceptive Therapy Shown to Reduce Panic Attacks

By: Elizabeth Hayes

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