Kim Bassinger was interviewed during an HBO special on Panic Disorder. She described her recovery from Panic Disorder in an unusual but very successful way. During her recovery period she developed a technique to change her negative thinking and attitudes. She decided to talk to her fear. She said, “how […]
Daily Archives: January 12, 2005
8 posts
In the U.S., 1.6% of adults (3 million) will have Panic Disorder in their lifetime. First degree relatives of those with PD are 17x more likely to have PD than the general population 30% of people with PD abuse alcohol Twice as many woman as men have PD Most panic […]
Cognitive behavioral therapy for Panic Disorder focuses on fears of bodily symptoms, catastrophic thinking, and avoidance behavior. This is done by identifying specific ways in which the patient can reduce anxiety. Cognitive restructuring – Identifying and countering fear of bodily sensations and focusing thoughts away from the negative consequences of […]
Practice paced breathing Proper breathing is very important for control of anxiety and panic. It is also the best relaxation technique for control of nervousness and panic. Underbreathing (slow/shallow) increases carbon dioxide retention. This triggers the suffocation response in panic prone people, leading to compensatory overbreathing. Conversely, overbreathing (hyperventilation) decreases […]
Panic patients listen too closely to body sensations, feel anxious, have “what if” thoughts, and scan their environment for possible danger. Panic patients are always in a state of hypervigilance-most especially they listen to their bodies and they “hear everything”. They can almost feel ions crossing membranes! They release adrenaline, […]
Xanax (Alprazolam) Niravam (Alprazolam orally disintegrating tablets) Klonopin Wafers (Clonazepam) Ativan (Lorazepam) A common question asked is “how much should I take?” “Take enough, not too much.” This is like a firefighter calling headquarters and saying, “I have a grass fire starting here, how much water should I put on […]
Earl Campbell (football legend) was in his truck driving to Austin, Texas. He was stopped at a light in the small town of LaGrange. All of a sudden and for no reason he felt chest tightness, racing pulse, and shakiness. He panicked. He thought, “am I having a heart attack, […]
A panic attack is a “false alarm” in the brain. Our brains are hardwired to respond instantaneously, releasing everything we have physically and mentally in moments of crisis. Heroic stories of people lifting cars off of loved ones are examples of this. In a panic attack we suddenly react physiologically, […]