Stop Panic In Its Tracks: Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies for Managing and Eliminating Panic Attacks

CPD

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Faculty

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Objectives

1. Differentiate diagnostically between panic disorder and panic attacks that are secondary to other anxiety disorders.
2. Utilize psychoeducation as an intervention to teach clients about the physiology of fear and avoidance as well as the physical sensations that typically comprise a panic attack.
3. Employ tools to assess problematic thought patterns that fuel anxiety and panic.
4. Implement mindfulness and acceptance, and cognitive strategies to target distorted thinking.
5. Develop and execute graduated, imaginal and/or in vivo exposure strategies to directly reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
6. Design tools to track treatment progress and help clients stay on track.

Outline

Assessment: Accurately Diagnose Panic and Anxiety Disorders

• Panic disorder vs. panic attacks that are secondary to other anxiety disorders
• Psychosocial factors that may exacerbate panic symptoms
• Impact on client’s social and occupational functioning
• Is the client’s support system inadvertently reinforcing panic symptoms?

INTEGRATING ACT, CBT, & MINDFULNESS INTO YOUR THERAPEUTIC TOOLBOX

Psychoeducation: The Essential Foundation of Anxiety Treatment

• Teach clients about the physiology of fear and avoidance in a non-pathologizing manner
• When the body is behaving normally, just at the wrong time!
• Physical sensations that comprise a panic attack
• How short-term relief (avoidance, distraction, etc) isn’t enough to yield long-term wellness
• Teach clients ‘the why’ of exposure before going through it

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): Target Cognitive Distortions that are Common in Anxiety

• Catastrophizing, jumping to conclusions, tunnel vision, emotional reasoning, and overgeneralization
• Tools to help clients gain awareness of and reframe distorted thinking
• Disrupt the link between thoughts and unhelpful/avoidance/escape behaviours
• Help clients critically examine the beliefs they hold about panic and its aftermath

Exposure Techniques: Breaking the Anxiety and Panic Cycle

• The importance of client buy-in for exposure to be effective
• How to develop graduated exposure plan
• Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) ratings to improve clinician-client communication
• In-vivo vs. imaginal exposure
• The importance of remaining in an exposure exercise until fear subsides
• Modify exposure for telehealth

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Teaching Clients to “Drop the Rope”

• Values clarification
• Use of metaphors
• Exercises to increase comfort with difficult emotions and sensations

Tools for Calming the Body in the Midst of Panic

• Breathing skills to interrupt worry thoughts and slow down physiological panic symptoms
• Relaxation techniques to reduce vulnerability to panic
• Grounding techniques to lower the intensity
• How a daily mindfulness practice can reduce panic

Recovery Maintenance Tools: Make Sure Therapy is Working and Help Clients Stay on Track

• Individualized methods of tracking success and challenges
• Help clients maintain consistent skills practice and reduce avoidance behaviours
• Maintain a panic attack progress tracking tool
• Connect treatment to client’s goals and values

Other Clinical Considerations

• Anxiety and panic during challenging times
• Increased anxiety rates during public health crisis
• Complicating factors of hypochondriasis and panic disorder
• Limitations of the research and potential risks

Target Audience

• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Counselors
• Case Managers
• Addiction Counselors
• Therapists
• Nurses
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Psychiatrists
• Other Mental Health Professionals

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