Copyright © 2020 | Shelley L. Heusser

Shelley Heusser

Clinical Psychologist

BSocSc Psych. (UCT), BA. Hons Psych. (UCT), MA. Clin. Psych. (NMMU)

Practice No: 0445800  Reg No: 0112860

Panic Disorder

Everyone   feels   anxious   now   and   then.   For   instance,   many   people   feel   nervous   when   having   a   problem   at   work, before taking a test, or making an important decision in their life. Anxiety   disorders   are   different,   though.   They   can   cause   such   anguish   that   it   interferes   with   your   ability   to   lead   a normal and happy life. This   type   of   disorder   is   a   serious   mental   illness.   For   people   who   have   an   anxiety   disorder,   worry   and   fear   are endless   and   overpowering,   and   can   be   disabling.   But   with   treatment,   many   people   can   manage   those   feelings and get back to a fulfilling life. Panic   disorder   is   an   anxiety   disorder   that   is   characterized   by   sudden   attacks   of   fear   and   panic.   Panic   attacks   may occur   without   a   known   reason,   but   more   often   they   are   triggered   by   fear-producing   events   or   thoughts,   such   as taking   an   elevator   or   driving.   Symptoms   of   panic   attacks   include   rapid   heartbeat,   strange   chest   sensations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and anxiousness. Hyperventilation, agitation, and withdrawal are common results . Both   cognitive-behavioral   therapies   and   medication   for   panic   disorder   have   been   found   to   be   effective   over   the short    term.    Not    all    patients,    however,    fully    respond    to    these    approaches,    and    the    effectiveness    of    these interventions in the the long term is unclear. A   psychodynamic   approach   adds   significantly   to   the   understanding   of   patients   with   panic   disorder.   Current scientific   research   shows   that   psychodynamic   psychotherapy   is   just   as   effective   as   more   traditional   treatment methods, and it may be more beneficial than any other approach in the long-term treatment of this disorder.
Copyright © 2020 | Shelley L. Heusser

Shelley Heusser

Clinical Psychologist

BSocSc Psych. (UCT), BA. Hons Psych. (UCT), MA. Clin. Psych. (NMMU)

Practice No: 0445800  Reg No: 0112860

Panic Disorder

Everyone feels anxious now and then. For instance, many people feel

nervous when having a problem at work, before taking a test, or making

an important decision in their life.

Anxiety disorders are different, though. They can cause such anguish that it interferes with your ability to lead a normal and happy life. This type of disorder is a serious mental illness. For people who have an anxiety disorder, worry and fear are endless and overpowering, and can be disabling. But with treatment, many people can manage those feelings and get back to a fulfilling life. Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by sudden attacks of fear and panic. Panic attacks may occur without a known reason, but more often they are triggered by fear-producing events or thoughts, such as taking an elevator or driving. Symptoms of panic attacks include rapid heartbeat, strange chest sensations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and anxiousness. Hyperventilation, agitation, and withdrawal are common results. Both cognitive-behavioral therapies and medication for panic disorder have been found to be effective over the short term. Not all patients, however, fully respond to these approaches, and the effectiveness of these interventions in the the long term is unclear. A psychodynamic approach adds significantly to the understanding of patients with panic disorder. Current scientific research shows that psychodynamic psychotherapy is just as effective as more traditional treatment methods, and it may be more beneficial than any other approach in the long-term treatment of this disorder.