Transcript Melissa Vorster Panic Disorderx

Melissa Vorster
10 Gilmore
Panic disorder involves the occurrence of repeated, unexpected panic attacks.
Panic attacks involve intense anxiety reactions accompanied by physical
symptoms.
. Jeffrey S. Nevid Spencer A. Rathus Beverly Greene (2005) Abnormal Psychology In a
changing World. (5th Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
racing or pounding heart
sweating
shaking or trembling
shortness of breath or feelings of being
smothered
feeling of choking
chest pain or discomfort
chills or hot flashes
nausea or upset stomach
dizziness or light-headedness
a sense of things being unreal or feeling
detached from oneself
numbness or tingling sensations
fear of losing control or "going crazy"
fear of dying
WebMD, (2005-2015). Panic Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/anxietypanic/guide/mental-health-panic-disorder
Panic attacks do give clues that they're about to happen.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University recently
tracked people who are prone to these attacks and found
that several physiological changes occurred as much as
47 minutes before the attack.
Panic Disorder can continue for
months or years, depending on how
and when treatment is pursued
interMDnet corporation, (2011). Panic Disorder. Retrieved from
http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/anxiety/art3414.html
Approximately 5 per cent of Australians will experience panic disorder in their
lifetime, with 2.6 per cent experiencing panic disorder over a 12-month period. It is
estimated that slightly more women than men have panic disorder, which usually
begins when people are in their early to mid-20s or in mid-life.
Beyond blue,(2015) .Panic disorder. Retrieved from
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/types-of-anxiety/panic-disorder
Family history – People with panic disorder tend to have a family
history of anxiety disorders or depressive illness and some studies
suggest a genetic component.
Biological factors – Some medical conditions (cardiac arrhythmias,
hyperthyroidism, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and
irritable bowel syndrome) are associated with panic disorder.
Negative experiences – Extremely stressful life experiences such as
childhood sexual abuse, redundancy or bereavement, have been linked
to panic attacks as well as periods of ongoing, unrelenting stress.
Beyond blue,(2015) .Panic disorder. Retrieved from
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/thefacts/anxiety/types-of-anxiety/panic-disorder
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
CBT is the most commonly used therapy for people with panic disorder. CBT is a
structured psychological treatment, which recognises that a person’s way of thinking
(cognition) and acting (behaviour) affects the way they feel. In CBT, a person works
with a professional to uncover unhelpful and unrealistic ways of thinking (e.g." I will
be trapped in the elevator and not be able to breathe”), and then assist the person to
move to more helpful and realistic ways of thinking (e.g. “The chances of getting stuck
in there are slim, but even if that happens, I will be able to breathe”). Once these
patterns are recognised, the person can consciously and deliberately make changes to
replace these patterns with new ones that reduce anxiety and enhance their coping
skills.
Beyond blue,(2015). Panic disorder. Retrieved
from
https://www.bspg.com.au/dam/bsg/product?c
lient=BEYONDBLUE&prodid=BL/0506&typ
e=file
− Remain patient and calm in
the person’s presence. It may
be helpful to say something
like, “You are having a panic
attack. It will soon pass and in
a few minutes you will start to
feel better.”
− Encourage the person to take
slow and regular breaths from
the diaphragm, but unnaturally
deep breathing is not helpful.
Counting may help keep the
person focused on slowing
the breathing.
− Avoid telling the person to relax
or calm down.
Beyond blue,(2015). Panic disorder. Retrieved from
https://www.bspg.com.au/dam/bsg/product?client=BEYONDBLUE&prodid=BL/050
6&type=file
− Take several slow breaths. Begin by holding your breath for 10 seconds and then breathe
out through your nose saying, "relax” to yourself as you do. Next, breathe in for roughly
three seconds and breathe out for about three seconds. Do this for a minute and then
repeat the first
step. If need be, repeat this cycle several times.
− Stretch your body (if you can), yawn, chew gum or suck on
a lozenge or mint slowly and deliberately.
− Bear in mind that the panic attack will end. It will always pass. Write the statement
“It will pass" on a card along with breathing instructions and keep it in your
wallet/purse. It can be useful to focus on this during a panic attack.
Beyond blue,(2015). Panic disorder. Retrieved from
https://www.bspg.com.au/dam/bsg/product?client=BEYONDBLUE&prodid=BL/0506&typ
e=file
There was a time when basic things—like driving, climbing a flight of stairs, taking a shower,
or going through the checkout line at the grocery store—landed me somewhere between
mortal unease and full-throttle terror. It all began with a single panic attack that seemed to
strike out of the blue. Mistaking it for a heart attack, I called an ambulance, but I quickly
learned that there is no ambulance for an alarm of the mind.
After the first panic attack, I was terrified another would come. And of course, another one
came. Once again, the pounding heart, tunnel vision, shaking hands, and inexplicable fear
for my life made me feel like there was no safe place in the world. So I began to avoid things
that seemed to trigger my panic attacks—exercise, being in confined spaces, being in open
spaces, being in crowds, driving on the highway, etc.—but it didn’t matter: My panic would
stop at nothing. I even panicked in my sleep.
ADAA,(2010-2015).Resolves and Resilience Panic.
Retrieved from
http://www.adaa.org/resolve-and-resilience-panic
Rita Zoey Chin