Therapy
The so-called behavioral therapy has proven to be a psychotherapeutic method for the treatment of panic disorder. The central approach of the therapy must be to break the vicious circle. For example, typical symptoms of panic disorder such as shortness of breath can be provoked by controlled physical exertion or increased rapid breathing.
Here, the patient can learn that he or she is in control of such symptoms. He learns not only that he can trigger these symptoms himself, but also that no threat emanates from them.In addition, through the so-called cognitive therapy, the patient learns to deal with the fear-increasing thoughts and to develop a more realistic view of the physical complaints. (My heart is beating fast because I am excited – it is still healthy) In the therapy of agoraphobia, the so-called exposure, i.e. the controlled confrontation with the fear-increasing situations can bring about a significant improvement.
Behavioural therapy differentiates between slow exposure and approaching the situation, the so-called fractional exposure and the “full broadside”, the flooding. Here, the patient is guided directly into the situation that causes fear, accompanied by the therapist. Such a therapy can be combined with a drug therapy.
For the basic treatment, from the group of so-called antidepressants, the so-called SSRIs should be used primarily. Good experience has been made in the past with drugs from the group of so-called tryziclics. (see also Therapy of depression) . As with any anxiety disorder, benzodiazepines have their place in controlled treatment, but not in outpatient treatment, as the risk of addiction is very high. (see also Therapy of generalized anxiety disorder)
