Traditional
psychotherapy vs. CBT
Traditional psychotherapy approaches the
patient’s issues by uncovering the past.
CBT, on the other hand, lets the patient
deal with the problem in the present
tense. While the two could work
hand-in-hand, CBT is considerably a more
proactive approach of dealing with the
psychological issue. This is also
largely because panic attacks come out
of nowhere, and they can be related or
not to a traumatic past experience.
CBT approaches panic attacks in two
ways: by identifying the thought that
triggers the panic attack (cognitive
approach) and by making the patient
immune from the panic triggers
(behavioral). They’re called panic
attacks primarily because the thoughts
that trigger them propose danger that is
actually unreal. For example, some
people have panic attacks over public
speaking. While it’s unpleasant to stand
in front of so many strange faces at the
same time, it shouldn’t seem like a
great danger worthy of racing heartbeats
or shortness of breath.
Therapists usually work on the patient’s
unrealistic fear by telling them how
irrational their thoughts are. Take
note, though, that panic attacks aren’t
cured immediately. Patients usually take
an average of 8 sessions before they can
manage their anxiety on their own. There
are many CBT approaches to panic
attacks, and your therapist will have
his/her own suggested “exercises” or
home works for you.
Most of the time, sufferers of recurring
panic attacks are asked to write down
the sensation they feel during a panic
attack, and to separate this from the
thought that triggered the sensation.
This helps them to later on identify the
real, rational cause of the panic
attack. In time, they’ll be able to do
this in their minds, and they’ll be able
to put a leash on their own anxieties.
Physiology
While your mind frame plays a big role
in how you deal with panic attacks, your
body’s physiological state is also
partly responsible. Studies show that
most panic attacks are caused by too
much caffeine and sugar in your body.
When you’re already suffering from panic
attacks, you should start substituting
chamomile tea for coffee. Regular
cardiovascular also helps most sufferers
from dealing with their panic attacks.
Aside from letting them get used to the
sensation of racing heartbeats, regular
exercise also releases serotonin in your
brain. When your brain chemicals are
stable, you’re least likely to suffer
from unwanted panic attacks.
