CBT For Panic Flashcards
What is the definition of Panic Disorder?
Recurrent panic attacks characterized by sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, feelings of unreality, and sweating.
Individuals may fear dying, losing control, or going crazy.
What are the physical symptoms of Panic Disorder?
- Palpitations (racing heart)
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Feelings of unreality
- Sweating
These symptoms can lead to behavior changes due to fear of subsequent attacks.
What characterizes Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia?
A fear of being in situations where escape or help might be difficult if a panic attack occurs, leading to avoidance behaviors.
This can include crowded places and public transport.
What is the initial physical sensation in the cognitive model of panic?
A physical sensation that may be interpreted as a sign of something more serious, like a heart attack.
This misinterpretation can lead to catastrophic thinking.
What is catastrophic thinking in the context of Panic Disorder?
The tendency to catastrophize physical sensations, thinking thoughts like ‘I’m going to die’ or ‘I’m having a heart attack.’
This reinforces panic and anxiety.
What are safety behaviors in Panic Disorder?
Behaviors intended to reduce anxiety but ultimately maintain panic by preventing new learning.
These can include avoidance, carrying medications, or seeking reassurance.
List common catastrophic beliefs in Panic Disorder.
- I’m going to die
- I’m having a heart attack
- I’ll suffocate
- I’m having a stroke
- I’ll faint or collapse
- I’ll lose control
- I’ll go crazy
Agoraphobic beliefs can include thoughts like ‘No one will help me’ and ‘People will think I’m crazy.’
What are examples of safety behaviors?
- Carrying medications
- Avoidance of crowded places
- Monitoring body for signs of panic
- Seeking reassurance
These behaviors can reinforce the belief that physical sensations are dangerous.
What key factors should be assessed in Panic Disorder?
- Frequency and severity of panic attacks
- Physical sensations
- Cognitive symptoms
- Safety behaviors
- Triggering events
Understanding these factors helps in formulating treatment.
Kids examples of common assessment tools
Panics severity rating scale
A tool used to measure the severity of panic symptoms.
Panic severity rating skills
This is one of the common assessment tools for Panic Disorder.
A agoraphobic cognition questionnaire - assesses ports related to agoraphobia and avoidance
Give examples of treatment techniques
- Cognitive restructuring- A technique aimed at changing maladaptive thoughts that reinforce panic.
For example, challenging the belief that a racing heart indicates imminent death.
- Behavioural experiments. - catastrophic belief.
- Symptom production experiments - to show the physical sensations like rapid breathing or dizziness are not dangerous for example asking people to hyperventilate or exercise to experience the same sensations - highlighting these can be misinterpreted
- Dropping safety behaviours.
What is the goal of behavioral experiments in CBT?
To test and challenge catastrophic beliefs by gathering evidence to disconfirm irrational thoughts.
This can involve intentionally inducing sensations to show feared outcomes do not occur.
What is the purpose of symptom induction experiments?
To demonstrate that physical sensations like rapid breathing are not dangerous.
Participants learn that these sensations are uncomfortable but not life-threatening.
What does in vivo exposure aim to achieve?
To gradually face feared situations to reduce avoidance and test whether panic attacks lead to feared outcomes.
This may include going to crowded places or using public transport.
What is the difference between exposure and behavioral experiments?
Exposure focuses on extinguishing anxiety through repeated exposure, while behavioral experiments test specific beliefs maintaining panic.
Behavioral experiments are more targeted in challenging irrational beliefs.
