|
Article Directory
|
+ Authors
+ Articles
|
|
|
|
Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks: How Cognitive Behavior Therapy Can Help You
Copyright (c) 2010-2012 Dr Jeannette Kavanagh
In your journey to conquer anxiety and to eliminate panic attacks from your day-to-day life, no one approach will be totally right, but Cognitive Behavior Therapy can be a very powerful part of your recovery. In this short article, I want to explore what's involved in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, so that you can make a decision whether or not you'd like to explore it with your therapist.
De-Constructing Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
When we de-construct the term, we look at each of the three words separately to increase our understanding of the whole.
Cognitive
The first part of CBT is from the Latin cogito I think. Some of you might recall those Philosophy lectures about Rene Descartes and his famous 'cogito, ergo sum' - I think, therefore I am. In general conversation, we link 'cognitive' with an intellectual engagement. We hear about cognitive deficits caused by brain damage, so let's say that the cognitive component of this therapy involves our brains, our thoughts. It explores how you think and react to things, and how those thoughts elicit an anxiety response or start your panic attacks. If you want to eliminate panic attacks, you have to recognize your role in creating and maintaining them via what I call unhelpful thinking, unhelpful habits of mind.
Behavioral Or Even Behavioural
In this treatment model, the behavior component isn't just about how you behave in the sense of what you do. It's also about how you react before you do things, and it's also about how many of those behaviours become a habit and almost automatic. The behavioural component is also about the range of responses your therapists make available to you. Your therapist will work with you to find alternative ways to react, to break down your automatic responses. Through CBT, when you see that lift (elevator) door opening, you'll be able to react in a calm way instead of automatically panicking about using the elevator. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is an extremely interactive approach.
Therapy
The third part of CBT, therapy, is from the Greek therapeía healing. The healing or therapeutic component is about what you and your therapist do. It might involve you learning relaxation exercises, but it's also part of an ongoing conversation and series of observations about your thoughts, reactions and actions. My counselling Practice and my e-kit Calming Words involves helping people to learn to meditate and I encourage daily meditation as part of building up our reservoir of calm which is depleted daily by our hectic lives.
Eliminating Panic Attacks using Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Each anxiety or panic attack follows a well-documented cycle. R Reid Wilson in his book Facing Panic calls it the Panic Cycle.
First step is where you have contact with stimuli which makes you feel anything from slightly nervous to downright terrified. For instance, if you have had panic attacks in the shopping Mall, you'll feel terrified just entering those automatic doors.
In a Cognitive Behavior Therapy approach your therapist would have you look closely at that initial trigger. You may be asked to do something that seems paradoxical: you may be asked to increase the number of times you experience that initial fear. That's called an exposure-based intervention, and it can happen in your therapist's office or in the Mall. It's a way of allowing you to see what you already know at a rational level. Namely, that there is nothing to fear. Cognitive Behavior Therapy allows you to think (cognitive) about your fear response (behavior) so that you can construct a more appropriate response (heal).
At the end of most panic attacks the anxiety reducing behaviour of choice is avoidance. You stay home, or you only go to the Mall with a friend who knows about your problem, or you only go to the movies if you can sit on the aisle seat - ready for a quick escape.
You're in charge. However, at both ends of the panic attacks cycle your reactions (cognitive responses) and behaviour (panic or escaping) are the cause of your continuing discomfort. Both sets of behaviour are inappropriate. Both can be discussed as a way of re-writing the script. What script? The one that says 'enter Mall, feel terrified'. It's your thoughts that evoke your adrenaline (fear) response. Through Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, we can help you work with those thoughts and responses to re-align them so that you change your response to entering the automatic doors at the Mall - or whatever triggers your fear.
|
Dr Jeannette Kavanagh has a counseling and coaching Practice in Melbourne Australia, to help people find their unique solutions to anxiety and panic attacks. For over two decades, Jeannette has helped thousands of people overcome anxiety and panic attacks. Visit her website http://www.calmingwords.com/ to sign up here for a FREE MP3 Relax on Cue.
|
Follow "The Phantom Writers" on Twitter
(@phantomwriters)
to be notified when new articles are made available.
VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >>
0 -
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5
<< Excellent Article
Tell our authors what you think about their article.
|
Top-Level Category: Health and Wellness Articles || Related Categories: Self Improvement Articles and Family Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Dr Jeannette Kavanagh
How to Eliminate Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2011-09-12 |
Word Count: 895 |
Page Views: 371
The fact that you can't explain why you feel so terrified is
often the most upsetting, but there are ways you can learn to
learn how to send those fears packing.
How to Recognize Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-28 |
Word Count: 836 |
Page Views: 917
Problems with a too-high level anxiety can start in
childhood with children and adolescents worrying to a
greater extent than their peers about all sorts of things.
Some behaviors are an indication of a fussy and over tidy
child. When we go just a little bit over fussiness and we
have entered the realm of an anxiety disorder.
How to Tell if You Have Anxiety Disorder
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-23 |
Word Count: 1093 |
Page Views: 910
If you're someone who can never earn enough or have enough
money to relax about it, and to enjoy spending it, you may
have underlying anxiety problems that you haven't had to
face, or you haven't wanted to face.
Shy People Are a Blessing
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-22 |
Word Count: 719 |
Page Views: 959
A person who is shy always comes across as having a charm
that is singularly missing in most people. Instead of that
often brash over-confident person who just loves the sound
of her or his own voice, the shy person seems to live and
breathe more softly.
How to Tell the Difference Between Anxiety and Normal Worry
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-21 |
Word Count: 979 |
Page Views: 776
Anxiety is a normal feeling people experience when faced
with threat, danger or stress. Feeling anxious can sometimes
be a good thing. Occasional anxiety is part of normal life.
However, for some people anxiety is a constant factor in
their lives. When a person has anxiety problems, it
interferes with their ability to function normally on a
daily basis. Anxiety disorder can cause people to feel
intense, long-lasting fear or worry, in addition to other
symptoms.
How to Treat Your Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-16 |
Word Count: 742 |
Page Views: 895
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 2.50
Next to Depression, one of the most common disorders which
affects an estimated 2.4 million people in America alone, is
anxiety disorder. Anxiety can manifest as a generalized
anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety and agoraphobia.
Anxiety disorder can be mild or so totally disabling that
the person is confined to her or his home. All forms of
anxiety can be extremely frightening to those who experience
it frequently, but many individuals have found comfort in
the fact that anxiety disorders can be treated.
Public Speaking Skills: First Principle of Great Communication
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-15 |
Word Count: 876 |
Page Views: 868
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 4.00
We all need public speaking skills, even if it's only the
skill of asking a question at a local meeting of the Parents
and Teachers' Association. Over the years I have seen even
very experienced public speakers forget the most basic
principle of oral (spoken) communication.
Are Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks Genetic?
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-14 |
Word Count: 746 |
Page Views: 977
I'm often asked by clients whether or not there's a
genetic of hereditary component to anxiety disorder and
panic attacks. That line of questioning usually leads into a
discussion about how that person's extended family seems to
have an abundance of people with anxiety problems of one
sort or another.
All of Author's Articles on this site: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh Articles
Most Recent "Health And Wellness" Articles
The Powerful Antioxidant You Cannot Eat Or Drink
Written by: Nate Rifkin |
Distributed: 2011-07-20 |
Word Count: 499 |
Page Views: 591
There's no need to eat or drink anything to activate your
body's powerful antioxidant to prevent free radical damage.
You'll end up healthier inside and looking better on the outside
as well.
3 Bacterial Vaginosis Remedies You Can Start Using Today
Written by: Louise Endago |
Distributed: 2011-07-20 |
Word Count: 867 |
Page Views: 647
Very few women are successful at treating bacterial
vaginosis using one treatment alone. The secret lies in
using a combination of treatments that complement one
another. In this article you will discover 3 such remedies
that give excellent results.
Encouraging Healthy Children with Outdoor Play Sets and Activities
Written by: Giana Briggs |
Distributed: 2011-03-17 |
Word Count: 410 |
Page Views: 867
Having a play set in your backyard can be a great way to get
your child off the couch and out into the fresh air. With
childhood obesity on the rise, we need to do what we can as
parents to get our children active and enjoying playing and
interacting with each other children again. Being able to go
out in the yard and have something to do is just one small
step in the right direction.
How to Recognize Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-28 |
Word Count: 836 |
Page Views: 917
Problems with a too-high level anxiety can start in
childhood with children and adolescents worrying to a
greater extent than their peers about all sorts of things.
Some behaviors are an indication of a fussy and over tidy
child. When we go just a little bit over fussiness and we
have entered the realm of an anxiety disorder.
How to Tell if You Have Anxiety Disorder
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-23 |
Word Count: 1093 |
Page Views: 910
If you're someone who can never earn enough or have enough
money to relax about it, and to enjoy spending it, you may
have underlying anxiety problems that you haven't had to
face, or you haven't wanted to face.
How to Tell the Difference Between Anxiety and Normal Worry
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-21 |
Word Count: 979 |
Page Views: 776
Anxiety is a normal feeling people experience when faced
with threat, danger or stress. Feeling anxious can sometimes
be a good thing. Occasional anxiety is part of normal life.
However, for some people anxiety is a constant factor in
their lives. When a person has anxiety problems, it
interferes with their ability to function normally on a
daily basis. Anxiety disorder can cause people to feel
intense, long-lasting fear or worry, in addition to other
symptoms.
How to Treat Your Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Written by: Dr Jeannette Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2010-12-16 |
Word Count: 742 |
Page Views: 895
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 2.50
Next to Depression, one of the most common disorders which
affects an estimated 2.4 million people in America alone, is
anxiety disorder. Anxiety can manifest as a generalized
anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety and agoraphobia.
Anxiety disorder can be mild or so totally disabling that
the person is confined to her or his home. All forms of
anxiety can be extremely frightening to those who experience
it frequently, but many individuals have found comfort in
the fact that anxiety disorders can be treated.
Losing Weight - The Addiction of Comfort Food
Written by: Larry Tobin |
Distributed: 2010-11-04 |
Word Count: 863 |
Page Views: 1289
| Votes: 1 |
Rating: 0.00
Its very name is appealing - comfort food. What could be
more wonderful than a food that helps us feel better? Almost
everyone can name something that they eat when they're just
feeling sour or sad. Of course, we know that food can't be
the solution to our problems, especially the problem of
trying to lose weight and keep it off. So why do we find
ourselves trapped in the eat/feel better/feel worse/eat some
more cycle?
Understanding the Roles of Respite Caregivers for Seniors
Written by: Bob Fischer |
Distributed: 2010-11-02 |
Word Count: 582 |
Page Views: 974
Caregivers for seniors are typically paid providers but they
may also be volunteers from a government or nonprofit
organization. Where care is being provided in the home there
is often a mix of formal and informal care provided. And the
trend is towards using more formal care since, unlike the
past, more informal respite caregivers are employed. Read
on.
The Natural Choice for Allergy Elimination
Written by: Robert Fioravante |
Distributed: 2010-10-26 |
Word Count: 661 |
Page Views: 745
The body is a brilliant creation that is inherently strong
and designed to heal itself without synthetic intervention.
Long before Western medicine was developed, many people
understood that by strengthening the immune system and
bringing balance to the body, the human body could be
expected to heal itself.
Most Viewed "Health And Wellness" Articles
Bone Density and Your Well Being
Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2006-06-15 |
Word Count: 685 |
Page Views: 47775
| Votes: 39 |
Rating: 2.69
We spend a lot of time and energy thinking of ways to reduce our
weight but we need to think about the bones that form the basic
structure of the very same body. Bone density is an important
factor in helping us stay young and on our toes. Bone density
needs to be checked as we age and if found low, adequate measures
need to be taken to improve it.
Losing Weight Without Gaining Stretch Marks
Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2006-12-11 |
Word Count: 579 |
Page Views: 15077
| Votes: 37 |
Rating: 2.78
Few things can make us as elated as seeing the pounds melt way
through our efforts of eating less and exercising more. We gain
new confidence and vitality as we watch our waistlines reappear
and become reacquainted with the tops of our feet. But as the
weight falls away we can be plagued by a new assault - one we did
not see coming - stretch marks.
President Given the Cure for Herpes and Cold Sores ?
Written by: James Kaylon McIntyre |
Distributed: 2006-11-09 |
Word Count: 404 |
Page Views: 13176
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 2.57
Viraway was founded by a man who is in his 70s today. As a Young
man he suffered from acute cold sores. The discomfort was so
severe that he thought they would never go away. A native
American Indian gave him a tribal mixture of herbs and told him
that this mixture would eliminate the cold sores with in two
weeks...
Oyster Extract Improves Men's Sexual Health
Written by: Stephen Kavanagh |
Distributed: 2008-06-26 |
Word Count: 851 |
Page Views: 12422
| Votes: 38 |
Rating: 3.45
Description of the benefits of taking oyster extract powder for
good sexual health in men and women. Details of the features and
benefits, the different brands, the alternatives and advice on
choosing the right oyster extract product.
Is Retinol Good for Your Skin?
Written by: Craig Elliott |
Distributed: 2007-10-04 |
Word Count: 576 |
Page Views: 11130
| Votes: 26 |
Rating: 2.62
These days, whether you have wrinkles or you are certain that you
will get them in the near future, it is hard to ignore the
hundreds of new anti aging products on the market. With retinol
and AHAs, BHAs and vitamins, it's hard to tell which products
are actually going to work and which ones are will not. While a
lot of the success rate depends on the unique qualities of your
skin, there are scientific studies that have shed light some of
the more popular skin treatments.
Two years after 60 Minutes - Is Authentic Hoodia Available?
Written by: Dan Nessel |
Distributed: 2006-10-25 |
Word Count: 733 |
Page Views: 11010
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 3.22
In November of 2004, 60 Minutes praised Hoodia Gordonii for its
ability to suppress appetite. Within days of the segement,
everyone and their mother were claiming to have "real" hoodia
for sale. The question remains - is any authenic Hoodia
available?
Causes for Yellow or Dark Brown Poop - Symptoms of Healthy Poop - Dr Oz's Tips to Diagnosis Yourself and Self Help
Written by: John Khu |
Distributed: 2009-12-29 |
Word Count: 545 |
Page Views: 9059
| Votes: 15 |
Rating: 2.27
Now the question arises how to detox your body? Body toxins
are accumulated due to improper food consumption; sedentary
lifestyle also causes digestion problem and heavy metal
toxins to accumulate in our body. Therefore, in order to
avoid bowel problem, your body needs to heavy metal detox.
Flax Oil And Gynecomastia
Written by: Will Brink |
Distributed: 2006-06-06 |
Word Count: 678 |
Page Views: 8680
| Votes: 19 |
Rating: 2.53
Q: Dear Will, I remember in your book "Priming the Anabolic
Environment" you recommended flax oil as a possible way to treat
gynecomastia or "bitch tits" in men and I know you recommend flax
oil losing fat and general health also. Would flax have equal
benefits for athletic women like me who lift weights and do you
still think it helps with gyno?
14 Causes of Constipation
Written by: Howard Richman |
Distributed: 2008-12-02 |
Word Count: 1642 |
Page Views: 8531
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 3.00
For people who know all about drinking liquids and eating fiber
but still have never been able to break free of their curse of
constipation, this article offers many other considerations that
will help the reader find solutions to lifelong constipation.
How to Force Your Body To Melt Fat Like Butter In A Microwave
Written by: Robert Kokoska |
Distributed: 2008-04-08 |
Word Count: 613 |
Page Views: 7417
| Votes: 22 |
Rating: 2.77
There are a couple of very simple changes you can make to the way
you eat that will force your body to become a fat burning furnace
and cause you to easily drop your unwanted pounds day after day.
Highest Ranked "Health And Wellness" Articles
The Role of Antioxidants in Good Health And Healthy Living
Written by: Cheryll Rice |
Distributed: 2008-01-24 |
Word Count: 718 |
Page Views: 1344
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 4.20
Everyone has heard about the importance of a balanced diet for
maintaining good health. Similarly, everyone knows that they
should be getting exercise - or at the very least adding more
activity into their days. Getting a good night's sleep is
essential - without it, you'll find that your immune system
starts to slack off a bit and you put yourself at a greater risk
for catching a cold or coming down with the flu. We all know what
we should be doing, but let's be honest: we don't do it...
What Makes Tea So Effective At Preventing Heart Disease?
Written by: Jon M. Stout |
Distributed: 2007-02-02 |
Word Count: 812 |
Page Views: 1542
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 4.00
Many bodies of research have shown that tea is effective at
preventing heart disease in several ways. Tea prevents the
oxidation of LDL cholesterol into plaque, the hard substance that
clogs our arteries, making us more susceptible to heart attacks
and strokes. Tea is also thought to have an anti-inflammatory
effect, which helps the heart in its overall function.
Which Full Face CPAP Mask is Best for You?
Written by: Chris Vasta |
Distributed: 2009-09-01 |
Word Count: 690 |
Page Views: 3640
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 4.00
If you've been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, you are
undoubtedly trying to narrow the choice of masks. If your
mouth opens during sleep, one option would be full face CPAP
masks. The full face CPAP mask is used to deliver pressure
through both the nose and mouth. Trying to decide which full
face CPAP mask to use can be complex and expensive. The
number of mask options available is confounding. Based upon
comfort, fit, good seal, and durability, we recommend the
following three full face CPAP masks.
Neurotransmitter Testing: How It Help Depression, Anxiety and More
Written by: Anne Arthur |
Distributed: 2006-08-03 |
Word Count: 663 |
Page Views: 2211
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.86
Millions of people suffer from bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic
attacks, depression and ADD/ADHD without a known cause. If you or
someone you know suffers from anxiety, bipolar disorder,
depression, mania, ADD/ADHD or even panic attacks, you owe it to
you to find the real cause of your problem. There are many
natural treatments available that effectively combat these
diseases.
Concocting the Perfect Body Detox Plan
Written by: John Khu |
Distributed: 2009-04-21 |
Word Count: 588 |
Page Views: 1236
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.86
If you have recently made a committed resolve to stick to a body
detox program, then it is best to get very well prepared for it.
Otherwise, you might catch yourself doing some last-minute
enjoyment and drowning yourself in your favorite food and drinks.
Want To Try Body Detox?
Written by: John Khu |
Distributed: 2009-08-25 |
Word Count: 595 |
Page Views: 977
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.86
Ever since more and more people became aware of the harmful
effects of improper diet and toxins to the body, body
detoxification also became very popular. Although it is a
fact that the body can detoxify by itself, it is also a fact
that without the initiative of a person's mind to reinforce
more action aside from the organs' functions, then the
detoxification process will take a long time, or worse, not
work at all.
Heavier Weight Sometimes Equals Smaller Jeans
Written by: Kamau Austin |
Distributed: 2007-02-07 |
Word Count: 1005 |
Page Views: 1591
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 3.83
A concept many women sometimes have difficulty understanding is
that a smaller weight does not always indicate a fitter body.
Muscle mass is more dense than fat tissue. This means two women
of the same height, weight, skeletal structure and body type may
look drastically different.
Get a Great Night's Sleep
Written by: George Esser |
Distributed: 2007-05-15 |
Word Count: 597 |
Page Views: 1312
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 3.83
Reasons why we need magnesium supplements to get a great night's
sleep. Research points to reduced restless leg syndrome and other
sleep disorders.
Colon Cancer: Risks and Prevention
Written by: Abel Travers |
Distributed: 2007-12-13 |
Word Count: 785 |
Page Views: 1096
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 3.80
Cancer: it's not a word that anyone really wants to hear. While
not necessarily a death sentence, cancer is an illness that does
have a high mortality rate depending on where in the body it
strikes. Read on as we examine what can be done to head-off Colon
Cancer, the third most common cancer.
A Comparison of Tattoo Removal Methods: Tattoo Removal Skin Peels Vs Tattoo Removal Creams Vs Tattoo Removal Using DermaBrasion
Written by: Abe Granberry |
Distributed: 2009-09-30 |
Word Count: 1821 |
Page Views: 2409
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 3.79
A friend and I, along with 3 other buddies, decided to try
an experiment to remove tattoos that we have all had for
many years. Over time we just decided we no longer liked
what we saw on our arms, shoulders and chest so we decided
to test all the varieties of tattoo removal except Laser
because none of us could afford the price, plus we wanted to
see for ourselves if the other products actually worked or
were just marketing hype.
|
|
|
Article Reprint Rights
|

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License
You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
|
|
Article Statistics
|
Word Count: 748
Total Views: 872
Views This Month: 30
Views Last Month: 48
Article Rating: Not Yet
Votes Cast: 0
Author Overall Stats:
Times Viewed Overall: 5719
Author Rating: 3.25 of 5
Votes Cast Overall: 4
More Articles By Author:
Articles On This Website
Article Title Search:
Widow Search
Right Blinker
Google
Yahoo!
Zuula
Bing
Cuil
Last Distribution Date:
2010-12-09 11:30:00
|
|
|