Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is CBT?CBT as a TreatmentThe CBT Process
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is CBT?
CBT as a Treatment
The CBT Process
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If you’ve decided to go to psychotherapy forpanic disorder, you may be wondering what your therapeutic treatment options are. Numerous types of therapy are available, depending on your therapist’s approach and training background.Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP) is one such option that’s been shown to be effective in treating panic disorder; another effective psychotherapy—often considered to be the most popular type of therapy foranxiety disorders—is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is another option that can be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. EMDR is often used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers suggest that EMDR can be helpful for panic disorder for the same reasons it is useful for PTSD since panic disorder often involves difficult memories and distressing panic attacks.Due to its proven effectiveness, goal-oriented focus, and quick results,professionals who treat panic disorderoften prefer CBT to other forms of therapy. Research also suggests that CBT is consistently more effective than panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP) as well as applied relaxation training (ART) in the treatment of panic disorder.The following describes the CBT approach and explains how it’s used to treat panic disorder,panic attacks, and agoraphobia.We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBTWhat Is CBT?Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or simply CBT, is a form ofpsychotherapyused in the treatment of mental health conditions. The underlying concepts of CBT are based on the notion that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and perceptions influence their actions and behaviors.According to the tenets of CBT, a person may not always be able to change their life circumstances, but they can choose how they perceive and act upon life’s ups and downs.CBT works to help change a person’s faulty or negative thinking, and assists in shifting unhealthy behaviors. CBT is currently used for the treatment of numerous mental health disorders, includingmajor depressive disorder,phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction.CBT has also been found to be an effective treatment option for some medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue.Research has also found that internet-based CBT is just as effective as in-person CBT.This could be particularly beneficial in the treatment of panic disorder since it may help people feel that therapy is more accessible and comfortable.Panic Disorder Discussion GuideGet our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.Download PDFSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.CBT as a TreatmentOne of the main goals of CBT is to help a clientovercome negative thinkingpatterns so that they may be able to make better choices in their actions and behaviors. In general, people with panic disorder are often more susceptible to negative thoughts andself-defeating beliefs, which can result in lowered self-esteem and increased anxiety.Fearful and negative thinking is often associated with panic attacks, the main symptom of panic disorder.Panic attacks are frequently experienced through a mix of physical and cognitive symptoms. Typical somatic symptoms includeshortness of breath, heart palpitations,chest pain, and excessive sweating.These symptoms are often perceived as frightening and can lead to distressing thoughts, such as a fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying.Fears associated with panic attacks can become so intense that they begin to negatively impact a person’s behaviors. For example, a person may begin to fear having an attack while driving or in front of other people (thoughts). The person will then avoid driving or being in crowded areas (behaviors).Such behaviors lead to a separate condition known asagoraphobia.With agoraphobia, fearful thoughts become instilled over time, and avoidance behaviors only serve to reinforce these fears.CBT can assist people with panic disorder and/or agoraphobia in developing ways to manage their symptoms. A person may not be able to control when they have a panic attack, but they can learn how to effectively cope with their symptoms. CBT assists the client in achieving lasting change through a two-part process.Treatment Options to Help Manage Panic DisorderThe CBT ProcessRecognize and Replace Negative Thoughts.The CBT therapist will first assist the client in identifying his negative cognitions or thinking patterns. For instance, a person may be directed to contemplate how they perceive themselves, views the world, or feels during a panic attack. By focusing on the thought process, a person can begin to recognize their typical thought patterns and how it influences their behaviors.The therapist may use a wide range of activities and exercises to help the client become aware of their negative thoughts, and learn to replace them with healthier ways of thinking. Additionally, homework activities are often assigned between sessions to help the client in continually identifying and eliminating faulty thinking.Writing exercisescan be a powerful way to conquer faulty thinking patterns. These exercises may be used to increase awareness of and replace negative thoughts. Some common CBT writing exercises includejournal writing,keeping a gratitude journal, using affirmations, and maintaining apanic diary.Skill Building and Behavioral Changes.The next step of CBT involves building onhealthy coping strategiesto changemaladaptive behaviors. During this phase, the client will learn to develop skills to help in reducing stress,managing anxiety, andgetting through panic attacks. These skills may be rehearsed in session, but it’s also important that the client practices new behaviors outside of therapy, too.Desensitizationis a common CBT technique that is used to help the client get past avoidance behaviors. Through systematic desensitization, the CBT therapist gradually introduces the client to anxiety-producing stimuli while teaching him how to manage his feelings of anxiety. The person is slowly introduced to more fear-inducing situations, developing ways to cope with panic symptoms through each feared circumstance.To help remain calm through anxiety-provoking circumstances,relaxation techniquesare also learned. These skills assist in managing fears, lowering heart rate, reducing tension, and improving problem-solving skills. Some common relaxation techniques includedeep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR),yoga, andmeditation.The Best Online Therapy for Anxiety, Tried and TestedA Word From VerywellAs one of the most widely used forms of therapy, CBT may be part of your recovery process. CBT can help in reducing symptoms on its own, but many will find a combination oftreatment optionsto be the most beneficial. Your doctor ortherapistcan help you determine if CBT is right for you and assist you in developing a treatment plan that will best suit your needs.Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
If you’ve decided to go to psychotherapy forpanic disorder, you may be wondering what your therapeutic treatment options are. Numerous types of therapy are available, depending on your therapist’s approach and training background.
Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP) is one such option that’s been shown to be effective in treating panic disorder; another effective psychotherapy—often considered to be the most popular type of therapy foranxiety disorders—is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is another option that can be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. EMDR is often used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers suggest that EMDR can be helpful for panic disorder for the same reasons it is useful for PTSD since panic disorder often involves difficult memories and distressing panic attacks.
Due to its proven effectiveness, goal-oriented focus, and quick results,professionals who treat panic disorderoften prefer CBT to other forms of therapy. Research also suggests that CBT is consistently more effective than panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP) as well as applied relaxation training (ART) in the treatment of panic disorder.
The following describes the CBT approach and explains how it’s used to treat panic disorder,panic attacks, and agoraphobia.
We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBT
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or simply CBT, is a form ofpsychotherapyused in the treatment of mental health conditions. The underlying concepts of CBT are based on the notion that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and perceptions influence their actions and behaviors.
According to the tenets of CBT, a person may not always be able to change their life circumstances, but they can choose how they perceive and act upon life’s ups and downs.
CBT works to help change a person’s faulty or negative thinking, and assists in shifting unhealthy behaviors. CBT is currently used for the treatment of numerous mental health disorders, includingmajor depressive disorder,phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction.
CBT has also been found to be an effective treatment option for some medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue.
Research has also found that internet-based CBT is just as effective as in-person CBT.This could be particularly beneficial in the treatment of panic disorder since it may help people feel that therapy is more accessible and comfortable.
Panic Disorder Discussion GuideGet our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.Download PDFSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.
Download PDF
Sign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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One of the main goals of CBT is to help a clientovercome negative thinkingpatterns so that they may be able to make better choices in their actions and behaviors. In general, people with panic disorder are often more susceptible to negative thoughts andself-defeating beliefs, which can result in lowered self-esteem and increased anxiety.
Fearful and negative thinking is often associated with panic attacks, the main symptom of panic disorder.
Panic attacks are frequently experienced through a mix of physical and cognitive symptoms. Typical somatic symptoms includeshortness of breath, heart palpitations,chest pain, and excessive sweating.These symptoms are often perceived as frightening and can lead to distressing thoughts, such as a fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying.
Fears associated with panic attacks can become so intense that they begin to negatively impact a person’s behaviors. For example, a person may begin to fear having an attack while driving or in front of other people (thoughts). The person will then avoid driving or being in crowded areas (behaviors).
Such behaviors lead to a separate condition known asagoraphobia.With agoraphobia, fearful thoughts become instilled over time, and avoidance behaviors only serve to reinforce these fears.
CBT can assist people with panic disorder and/or agoraphobia in developing ways to manage their symptoms. A person may not be able to control when they have a panic attack, but they can learn how to effectively cope with their symptoms. CBT assists the client in achieving lasting change through a two-part process.
Treatment Options to Help Manage Panic Disorder
The Best Online Therapy for Anxiety, Tried and Tested
A Word From Verywell
As one of the most widely used forms of therapy, CBT may be part of your recovery process. CBT can help in reducing symptoms on its own, but many will find a combination oftreatment optionsto be the most beneficial. Your doctor ortherapistcan help you determine if CBT is right for you and assist you in developing a treatment plan that will best suit your needs.
Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Get Help Now
We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
8 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chambless DL, Milrod B, Porter E, et al.Prediction and moderation of improvement in cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapy for panic disorder.J Consult Clin Psychol. 2017;85(8):803–813. doi:10.1037/ccp0000224
Horst F, Den Oudsten B, Zijlstra W, de Jongh A, Lobbestael J, De Vries J.Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for treating panic disorder: a randomized controlled trial.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1409. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01409
Milrod B, Chambless DL, Gallop R, et al.Psychotherapies for panic disorder: a tale of two sites.J Clin Psychiatry. 2016;77(7):927-935. doi:10.4088/JCP.14m09507
Fenn K, Byrne M.The key principles of cognitive behavioural therapy.InnovAiT: Education and inspiration for general practice. 2013;6(9):579-585. doi:10.1177/1755738012471029
Cleveland Clinic.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
MedlinePlus.Panic disorder.
MedlinePlus.Agoraphobia.
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