Treatment for Panic Disorder With Occupational Therapy

Those suffering from panic disorder are prone to frequent panic attacks. The person may believe that there is something physically wrong with them until they are given the correct diagnosis of panic disorder (PD). Left untreated, PD can lead to depression and agoraphobia. Occupational therapy can help the person suffering from PD overcome their disorder so they can get back to work and be able to function on their own.

Diagnosis

• The first step to getting treatment for panic disorder is receiving the correct diagnosis. Unlike general anxiety disorder, where anxiety is always present, those with PD will experience a sudden onset of intense symptoms in the form of a panic attack. Panic attacks are characterized by chest pain, tingling sensation in the fingers, sweating, shortness of breath, hyperventilation, dizziness and a number of other vague and seemingly serious symptoms that are caused by extreme anxiety and stress.

Understanding PD

• The first step after diagnosis is to get the person suffering from panic disorder to understand that their symptoms are psychological and not physical. People suffering from PD are often convinced that they are about to die, when in reality they are in no physical danger. Once the patient has begun to realize that they are in no real danger, the fear associated with the panic attacks will lessen and will therefore become manageable.

Identifying Triggers

• Another important part of occupational therapy is learning what specific events trigger these panic attacks. Certain situations and events can trigger panic attacks. The occupational therapist does not intend for their patient to avoid these situations, but instead helps them to be prepared for them. Once the patient is aware of which situations cause them to have panic attacks, they can use techniques learned from the therapist to remain calm and avoid having another attack.

Techniques

• There are two tools that are used by therapists that help with treating panic disorder: exposure techniques and relaxation exercises. The first exposes the person to what they fear slowly to help them overcome it. For example, a person who is afraid that their panic attacks are going to kill them may have a panic attack induced to show them there is nothing to fear. Relaxation exercises can be used by the patient to help them remain calm when they think they are going to have a panic attack.

When Therapy Fails

• In most cases, PD can be treated without the use of medication. In severe cases, however, there are different types of medication that may help to remove the panic attacks to allow the person to function normally. Antidepressants are often used to treat panic disorder. The antidepressants not only stop the panic attacks from occurring, but they also help treating the depression that can sometime accompany panic disorder.