Anxiety · Treatment guide
Panic Disorder
Recurrent panic attacks plus fear of future attacks; often with agoraphobic avoidance.
In this guide
Overview
Panic is maintained by catastrophic misinterpretation of body sensations (I'm dying, going crazy) and by avoidance/safety behaviors. Interoceptive exposure — deliberately producing the sensations — is the core intervention.
First-line treatments
- CBT — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Panic-specific CBT (Clark/Barlow); interoceptive + in vivo exposure, cognitive work on misappraisal.
Also consider
- ACT
Acceptance of sensations; commitment to value-driven action despite attacks.