The main aim of treatment for panic disorder is to reduce the amount of panic attacks that you have, and to help ease the severity of your symptoms.

What are the treatment options for panic disorder (panic attacks)?

There are two main forms of treatment for panic disorder – psychological therapy and medication. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may require either one of these types of treatment or a combination of the two.

Before you begin any form of treatment your GP will discuss all of your options with you, outlining the advantages of each form of treatment, while also making you aware of any possible risks or side effects. This is because no single treatment is best for everyone, and which treatment is recommended will depend on your general health and the severity of your condition, as well as your personal preferences.

It is important that you understand what your treatment will involve. If you do not understand something your GP has told you, make sure that you ask them to explain it in more detail.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is thought to be one of the most effective forms of treatment for panic disorder. CBT is a psychological form of treatment, and will involve you having weekly sessions where you talk to a therapist.

For example, they may talk to you about the way you react when you have a panic attack, and what you think about when you are experiencing an attack.

Once you and your therapist have identified negative thoughts and beliefs, you can work on replacing them with more realistic and balanced ones. Your therapist can also teach you ways that you can change your behaviour, which should make it easier for you to deal with future panic attacks. For example, they may be able to show you breathing techniques which can be used to help keep you calm during the stress of a panic attack.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend that you have a total of seven to 14 hours of CBT, which is to be completed within a period of four months. Your treatment will normally involve having a one-to-two-hour session, once a week.

Self help techniques

There are a number of panic attacks self help techniques that you can use to help treat your symptoms yourself. Full details of effective self help techniques can be found below.

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