The Most Effective Form of Therapy - Page: 2

The most effective form of therapy is "cognitive-behavioral therapy" or "CBT" for short. Here is a quote from the website of the APA, the American Psychological Association ( http://helping.apa.org/therapy/panic.html ):

"How Can Panic Disorder Be Treated? "Most specialists agree that a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies are the best treatment for panic disorder. Medication might also be appropriate in some cases."

CBT is the ONLY form of therapy that is widely proven to be effective for panic disorder, agoraphobia and other forms of anxiety disorder. There are dozens of studies that prove the dramatic effectiveness of CBT. There is an absence of studies showing the effectiveness of other forms of therapy.


How is CBT different from other kinds of therapy?>

CBT is not at all like traditional psychotherapy. In traditional psychotherapy, the focus is often on talking about one's past. Talking about the past can be very helpful in dealing with many life issues, but it has limited value in helping people to overcome panic disorder. CBT focuses on overcoming panic in the present, as opposed to searching the past for contributing factors.

In CBT, you learn skills that you practice in the therapist's office and on your own. CBT is like taking a class: you learn skills that empower you to overcome the anxiety and panic.

What will I learn in CBT?

First of all, CBT teaches you about the nature of the panic response and the panic attack (see this section on paniccure.com: http://www.paniccure.com/approaches/Educ... .

A panic attack is an overwhelming experience that seems like just one thing, but it's really a number of things all going on at the same time - sensations and scary thoughts.

Examples of sensations are racing or pounding heart, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, chest pain and sweating. Examples of scary thoughts are fear of going crazy, fear of losing control and fear of dying.

CBT demonstrates to you that each sensation and each scary thought is actually completely harmless. CBT empowers you to slow down the panic response, so that you can gradually master each sensation and each scary thought, one at a time.

As you learn to no longer fear the sensations and scary thoughts, you become less and less afraid of panic. Since the central feature of panic disorder is the persistent fear and worry about panic, CBT empowers you to completely heal from this condition.

How long does CBT take?

You can see dramatic progress in only a few weeks' time.


What if I'm skeptical about CBT?

It's not necessary to believe in this approach for it to work. As you see the results for yourself, you begin to believe in it!


Will I be able to discontinue my medication?

Most people starting CBT have been taking medication. Many people experience undesirable side effects from medication. If you wish, as you progress in your recovery, you can wean yourself off medication, with your doctor's supervision.

Many people find they get excellent results with a combination of CBT and medication. Many others prefer CBT alone - they find that it is more effective than medication and has no side effects. In addition, learning CBT gives one a real sense of mastery and accomplishment.


Will my insurance cover the expense?

Most insurance plans cover at least some of the expense of CBT.


How does the cost of CBT compare with the cost of medication?

In the long run, CBT is generally less expensive than medication. CBT teaches you skills that you practice on your own, whereas medication is often an ongoing expense.


How can I learn more about CBT?

Read through this section on paniccure.com. Take your time with it, and have fun! http://www.paniccure.com/approaches/cbt/...


Do you recommend a book on CBT?

I highly recommend Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic: Client Workbook, by Barlow and Craske. This workbook is available only from the publisher, TherapyWorks, at 800-872-1726. "Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic" ("MAP" for short) is a program designed to be used with a CBT therapist, but it can also be used for self-help. "MAP" was developed by Dr. David Barlow and Dr. Michelle Craske - two of the world's leading experts in the field - and is used by many therapists around the world.

In the MAP program, you learn techniques for actually resolving the panic, piece by piece, instead of just trying to manage it through relaxation, positive self-talk or other self-help techniques.

Here is a short essay about MAP: http://www.paniccure.com/approaches/cbt/... . Near the end of the essay, you can find information about how to order the MAP materials. In addition to Client Workbooks, there is an excellent Therapist's Guide, which enables therapists without specific training in this approach to be very effective.

How can I find a CBT therapist?

See this section on paniccure.com. It's a step-by-step guide to finding an experienced CBT therapist: http://www.paniccure.com/Find.htm

In addition to the discussions on Suite 101, feel free to email me at nsreal@verizon.net.

All my best, Neal Sideman

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Note from Katherine: I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to print Neal's The Attitude of Allowing article here as I think it's just wonderful. Alas, Suite101.com rules decree that what is posted here must be previously unpublished and written for the site. I was going to break the rules and print it here anyway, but I lost my nerve. PLEASE take the time to visit Paniccure.com and read this. It's wonderful. Thanks.

The Attitude of Allowing

http://www.paniccure.com/Short_Essays/Al...

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About the Author:

Neal Sideman is President of the Agoraphobia and Panic Disorder (APD) Foundation, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping people overcome panic disorder, agoraphobia and related conditions. Currently, the main project of the APD Foundation is the website "paniccure.com": http://www.paniccure.com .

Neal achieved his own full recovery and cure from panic disorder and agoraphobia in 1998. He is a member of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), the leading organization in the field of anxiety disorders. In May of 2000, the journal of the ADAA, The ADAA Reporter, published Neal's essay: "How I Achieved Complete Cure of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: An Open Letter to Those on the Healing Path." ( http://www.paniccure.com/Open_Letter/Ago... )

Neal's personal story is featured in "Fires of the Mind: Anxiety Disorders," a program produced by the Discovery Health Channel. For details, click on this link: http://www.paniccure.com/Stories_of_Heal...