CBT
approach
The CBT or cognitive-behavioral approach
deals with your panic attacks in two
methods. Firstly, it tracks down the
actual “thought” that triggered your
body to go into panic. Secondly, it
teaches you how to deal with panic
head-on instead of trying to avoid it.
According to studies, the “thoughts”
that trigger your panic attacks are
actually unrealistic or exaggerated.
For example, it could be an unexplained
fear of riding the train on your own.
When you experience a panic attack, this
fear can snowball into an unmanageable
emotion, until the sensations of panic
in them selves cause you to panic even
more. In other words, panic attacks are
the end results of vicious fear cycles.
According to studies, too, when you
simply try to dodge these panic triggers
from crossing your path, either by
drugging yourself to remain calm, or
avoiding a situation or a place, you
eventually limit your world and
encourage these panic attacks to worsen.
The CBT approach teaches you that the
best way to conquer your fear is to
understand your fear. When you have a
fuller understanding of your panic
triggers, and you realize that you’re
just overreacting during these panic
attacks, you’ll be able to handle your
thoughts and your body better.
Physiological
effects
Panic attacks are also caused by
chemical imbalances in the brain. In the
worst case scenario, panic attacks may
just be the side effect of a bigger mood
disorder. In which case, the patient
will have to get this particular mood
disorder treated to get rid of the panic
attacks.
However, milder cases of panic attacks
may also be caused by lack of sleep,
poor diets (too much sugar or caffeine),
and lack of exercise. If you truly want
to get rid of your panic attacks, you
need to try your best to live a
healthier lifestyle.
