Approach Instead Of Avoiding (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)
When we start to avoid things it can shrink the number of places that it feels ‘safe’ to go. It can cut us off from rewarding experiences, and avoidance can quickly make us feel less competent. A key step in overcoming panic is to reverse the cycle of avoidance – this might mean facing your fears and revisiting places where you have panicked, or re-trying activities that you have stopped because of the panic.
Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses the role of avoidance in the maintenance of anxiety, and introduces graded exposure as a technique for overcoming anxiety, including a worked example of the 'Avoidance Hierarchy' diagram.
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses the role of avoidance in the maintenance of anxiety, and introduces graded exposure as a technique for overcoming anxiety.
Therapist Guidance
This is a Psychology Tools workbook chapter. Suggested uses include:
- Client handout – use as a psychoeducation and skills-development resource
- Discussion point – use to provoke a discussion and explore client beliefs
- Therapist learning tool – improve your familiarity with a psychological construct
- Teaching resource – use as a learning tool during training
References And Further Reading
- Barlow, D. H. (2004). Anxiety and its disorders: The nature and treatment of anxiety and panic. Guilford press.
- Clark, D. M. (1986). A cognitive approach to panic. Behaviour research and therapy, 24(4), 461-470.
- Clark, D. M. (1994). Cognitive therapy for panic disorder. American Psychiatric Association.