If you are like me, you might have thought of panic as a problem mainly for clients with panic disorder. But panic is far more common. Over 28% of adults will have a panic attack in their lifetime. But more importantly to us therapists is that panic can occur with any disorder, from depression to anxiety to PTSD. Even life stressor, like divorce, bereavement, or job loss, can trigger episodes of panic.
Panic can keep our clients from living the kind of life we all take for granted. One of my client had panic so severe that over the years he had missed nearly all of his son’s baseball games. Another was so afraid to drive, she rarely saw family and friends. Even subclinical levels of panic can get in the way of life, making it difficult to make friends, maintain relationships, and enjoy life.
Many therapists under-estimate how many clients suffer from panic because many people have developed elaborate avoidance rituals and routines. Many panic sufferers avoid full-blown attacks by avoiding the opportunities in life that trigger panic: they turn down job promotions, avoid social gathering, and isolate themselves at home. All of this comes at the expense of living a fulfilling, rich, and meaningful life. Our clients need a way out of the confines created by panic.
Panic can keep our clients from living the kind of life we all take for granted. One of my client had panic so severe that over the years he had missed nearly all of his son’s baseball games. Another was so afraid to drive, she rarely saw family and friends. Even subclinical levels of panic can get in the way of life, making it difficult to make friends, maintain relationships, and enjoy life.
Many therapists under-estimate how many clients suffer from panic because many people have developed elaborate avoidance rituals and routines. Many panic sufferers avoid full-blown attacks by avoiding the opportunities in life that trigger panic: they turn down job promotions, avoid social gathering, and isolate themselves at home. All of this comes at the expense of living a fulfilling, rich, and meaningful life. Our clients need a way out of the confines created by panic.
Mindfulness can help our clients learn how to start living life again. Mindfulness teaches our clients how to not only live in the present moment but also tolerate the uncomfortable emotions, sensations, and thoughts that fuel panic. Through learning how to live more mindfully, our clients can learn to break through avoidance and start to live life again.
If for any reason you are not satisfied with the training, you can keep your CEs and receive a refund.
Jason Drwal, Ph. D. is a clinical psychologist in the VA Healthcare System. He has treated thousands of veterans with PTSD and trained many professionals in the assessment and treatment of trauma. He specializes in the use of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness interventions for the treatment of panic attacks, PTSD, and other conditions. When he is not doing therapy, he is an avid reader of self-help books, proud parent of two beautiful children, self-described coffee addict (who refuses to get treatment), and amateur anthropologist.
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