Cognitive Therapy and Panic

The demands we face in the everyday stream-of-life have the ability to increase our anxiety to an uncomfortable level. As a result we've had a number of inquiries about panic attacks. Here's some information about anxiety and panic.

The full blown symptoms of a panic attack include pains in the chest, nausea, having difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, sweating and palpitations and imitate the symptoms of a heart attack.

The word panic is derived from Pan, the Greek god of nature who was very ugly and would hide in a bush in the woods waiting for an unsuspecting traveler. When one came along he would jump out with a blood-curdling yell causing a sudden, overwhelming anxiety that came to be called panic.

We've come a long way in our understanding of anxiety which is universally accepted as being a basic human emotion. Dr. David Barlow, a world-leading researcher on anxiety has completed an extensive study on its origin and treatment. Barlow, at his Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders has divided anxiety and its treatment into separate areas:

1. Generalized Anxiety
2. Panic
3. Social Phobias
4. Simple Phobias and other anxiety disorders

Each of the categories of anxiety has a specialized and separate treatment regimen.

Being aroused into taking action about things we need to accomplish in our lives by a small amount of anxiety can serve us well. However, when anxiety beyond the adaptive point of arousal begins to control our thinking we become
physically tense and can be at risk for many stress-related emotional and physical problems.

There is hope for people who are experiencing panic attacks. David Barlow has cited success rates of 90% and higher. Seek out the services of a knowledgeable professional who can help you gradually break the panic
connection.