Panic attack/Agoraphobia

Question 1

Describe what a Panic Attack is

Answer 1

• Extremely severe anxiety/fear reaction
• Can occur in the context of any anxiety disorder
• Anxiety is adaptive BUT can also be a false alarm

MUST be RECURRENT and UNEXPECTED in order to be a panic disorder

Question 2

What is the DSM-5 Criteria for Panic Disorder?

Answer 2

Must be RECURRENT and UNEXPECTED in order to be a panic disorder
- Symptoms are not better explained by a different mental health condition: e.g., social anxiety, OCD

Question 3

Why does it take on average 3 years for someone with Panic disorder to see a psychologist?

Answer 3

Physical symptoms - does not feel like a mental health disorder

Question 4

What is the DSM-5 criteria for Agoraphobia

Answer 4

• Thoughts that escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of developing panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms
• The situation almost always provokes fear or anxiety
• Fear must be out of proportion to the actual danger
• Persistent, typically lasting 6 months or more
• Clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
• If another medical condition is present, the fear, anxiety, or avoidance is clearly excessive
• The fear, anxiety or avoidance is not better explained by another mental health condition (e.g., OCD)

Question 5

Describe the David Clark (1986) model of panic attack

Answer 5

Trigger (external or internal) ->perceived threat -> Apprehension -> Body sensation -> Interpretation of physical sensastions as catastrophic

Question 6

What are the biological and cognitive processess associated with panic/panic disorder
How is panic disorder maintained?

Answer 6

Biological: interpreting biological sensations (autonomic) as catastrophic - disrupted breathing

Cognitive processes: interpretations of situations as catastrophic

• Maintained through focus on internal sensations
• Avoiding situations or perceived triggers
• Safety-seeking behaviours (using external crutches which prevents us from learning that the situation is safe without it).

Question 7

What are the treatment options for Panic Disorder?

Answer 7

• Psychoeducation
• Cognitive restructuring
• Interoceptive Exposure (Intentional exposure to the physical sensations associated with panic attacks)
• Graded exposure (exposure to external situation getting progressively more until they can independently face the situation).