What To Expect From Outpatient Treatment For Panic Disorder
Panic attacks can quickly strike without warning, causing immense damage to your self-esteem and confidence. Your heart will start to race, you will experience shortness of breath, and the overwhelming fear can be terrifying! Fortunately, outpatient treatment for panic disorders can help you battle the condition. I will discuss further in my latest article.
In the U.S, over 40 million people suffer from an anxiety disorder, yet only 1-in-4 respond well to pharmacological treatment. This is where outpatient treatment for panic disorder comes into play, offering hope and, more importantly, an effective solution which can help sufferers reclaim their lives while also maintaining those essential daily responsibilities.
Understanding Outpatient Treatment For Panic Disorder
One of the main advantages of outpatient care is that it offers structured support, without the need to stay overnight at a facility. This particular approach recognises that healing works best when practising new skills in your real-world environment.
Defining Outpatient Vs. Inpatient Care For Panic Disorders
One of the primary key differences is where you sleep during the night. For example, while inpatient care requires 24-hour supervision at a facility, outpatient programs will let you return each day. You will need to attend scheduled sessions while you continue to work, attend school or take part in a variety of family responsibilities.
Many people often find that outpatient settings provide various treatment options for panic disorder, which can then be tailored to match specific needs and lifestyle demands.
Types Of Outpatient Programs Available
Typical outpatient therapy will involve 50-minute sessions each week, whereas intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) will offer 3-4 sessions per week. Conversely, partial hospitalisation programs (PHP) provide daily treatment options over several hours. Alternatively, there are virtual/telehealth options which offer care anywhere as long as you have access to the internet.
Comprehensive Assessment And Treatment Planning Process
The team that is working with you on treatment will thoroughly assess your individual symptoms, history and circumstances throughout a 90-minute evaluation to confirm diagnosis (while also ruling out other conditions).
This knowledge will enable them to create and regularly update your personalised plan, complete with clear goals, therapies, and timeless strategies that have been fully tailored to your health goals.
Panic Disorder Treatment Options In Outpatient Settings
Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) will help you to identify and change thought patterns which are likely to trigger panic attacks. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) will also gradually expose you to situations that typically trigger your attacks, but in a controlled manner.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps to teach psychological flexibility and value-based living. EMDR is also helpful in that it addresses trauma/related panic in specific situations.
Managing Panic Disorder Symptoms During Treatment
It is important to note that the recovery process isn’t always linear; therefore, understanding this mindset helps you to set much more realistic expectations. Managing panic disorder will require patience with yourself, as you learn these new skills.
As you start this journey, the first few weeks are key as the therapy focuses on education and skill-building (with the potential for temporary symptom flare-ups – although breathing and grounding techniques can offer relief).
Once you reach weeks 4-8, panic attacks will likely occur less, coping will be overall much easier, and avoidance decreases using exposure practice, which in turn supports your recovery.
Benefits Of Outpatient Therapy For Panic Recovery
The benefits of outpatient therapy are vast and can even extend far beyond symptom reduction. This unique approach also offers practical advantages which help to support long-term success.
Maintaining Daily Life and Responsibilities
This treatment is also highly beneficial as it doesn’t require you to put your life on hold. Your commitments with work, school and family events can carry on as usual. This will allow you to immediately practice new skills in real-life situations, which are likely to cause panic attacks.
Real-World Skill Application Opportunities
Outpatient care enables you to practice coping strategies in real-life situations, making your skills more practical and boosting your confidence levels through quality support from a dedicated recovery team.
Treatment Team Roles And Responsibilities
Primary Therapist Functions
You will be provided with a dedicated primary therapist who will be responsible for conducting most of your sessions and coordinating your care. They will track your progress and adjust treatment strategies whenever required. They will then become your primary point of contact throughout the treatment process.
Psychiatrist Collaboration For Medication Management
If you have been prescribed medication as part of your treatment, a psychiatrist will be on hand to monitor its effects. They will also coordinate with your therapist and request regular check-ins and progress metrics to guide the recovery process.
Common Questions About Outpatient Panic Treatment
1. What is the best way to deal with panic disorder?
Always stay where you are, breathe slowly and deeply and continually remind yourself that the phase is only temporary and will pass. Focus on positive images, and remember that it’s not life-threatening.
2. What is life like for a person with panic disorder?
When you encounter repeated and unexpected panic attacks, it can cause overwhelming fear without any specific triggers. In between attacks, you will likely start to worry when the next one will occur, which can potentially keep you housebound.
Final Thoughts On Your Recovery Journey
Incorporating outpatient treatment for panic disorder into your treatment journey offers a practical, effective path to recovery which fits into your lifestyle habits. By taking advantage of evidence-based therapies, supportive teams and modern technology, you will be provided with powerful and effective tools to allow you to overcome panic attacks, so you can live a full and happy life going forward.
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