DBT for Panic Disorder

A panic attack can happen for a variety of reasons. It is a very unpleasant experience during which one believes they might be dying. Although it may happen to everyone sometimes in life, if panic attacks become frequent and intense, people start changing their routines and habits in order to avoid them happening. A sense of losing control is present, and panic disorder is usually diagnosed. 

Luckily, panic disorder is treatable, and DBT for panic disorder gives excellent results. We Level Up WA mental health facilities in Washington State specialize, among other things, in DBT and can offer a tailored and comprehensive treatment for panic disorder. Contact us to find out more.

Understanding Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is a mental state characterized by frequent and unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack often includes physical symptoms that might feel like a heart attack. A person feels a sudden wave of fear and discomfort, a sense of losing control even when there´s no clear danger. Panic attacks can happen as rarely as a few times a year or as frequently as a few times a day. 

Panic attacks do not necessarily develop into a panic disorder. However, if the disorder develops, there are ways to treat it. DBT for panic disorder has proven to be one of the most efficient ways of treating it. 

Occurrence and Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Panic disorder typically starts in the late teens or early adulthood. Women are more prone to developing it than men. It sometimes runs in the family, but there´s no clear explanation about why it happens to some family members and not to others. 

As prevalent feelings during a panic attack, and therefore panic disorder as well, are those of fear and anxiety, scientists have tried to explain the mechanism of their occurrence by investigating the interaction between the brain and the body. Some researchers claim that panic attacks create false alarms that trigger the body´s survival instinct. Understanding those triggers, meaning environmental factors, can help create specialized treatments. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, these are signs you might be having a panic disorder:

• You are experiencing repeated panic attacks characterized by overwhelming fear and anxiety, 
• You are feeling as if you are out of control or that you might die during a panic attack. 
• You are intensively worrying about when the next panic attack will take place.
• You are avoiding places where you had your previous panic attacks. 
• You are experiencing physical symptoms of panic attack, such as:
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Tingling or numb hands
  • Racing or pounding heart
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulties breathing
  • Weakness or dizziness
  • Stomach pain or nausea

To avoid self-diagnosing, have a clearer picture of what´s happening to you, and get proper treatment, it´s advisable to get a diagnosis from a mental health professional. We Level Up Washington can help with setting a diagnosis and with advice and treatment recommendations. Our positive experience with DBT for panic disorder is making it our prime choice, but we are ensuring a tailored approach to the specificities of any case.  

Why DBT for Panic Disorder?

Experts are suggesting psychotherapy to treat panic disorder. The rationale is that if you learn to react differently to the physical sensations of anxiety and fear coming from panic attacks, they will become less intense and overwhelming, as well as less frequent. To abandon non-functional patterns of behavior and establish new ones, cognitive behavioral therapy is suggested, ideally dialectic behavioral therapy or DBT for panic disorder, as it has specificities, like a focus on mindfulness, that can be particularly beneficial for this treatment. 

In addition to psychotherapy, medications like beta-blockers, antidepressants, and anxiolytics might be included. 

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What Is DBT for Panic Disorder, and How Does It Work? 

DBT for panic disorder is an evidence-based treatment originally developed for borderline personality disorder that has proven its value for other disorders as well. It´s a specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) whose primary goal is to help manage intense emotions and develop healthy coping skills. Research shows that, compared to CBT, DBT brings higher improvements in emotion regulation and mindfulness. 

DBT for panic disorder also helps a person learn to recognize and address factors that make them more vulnerable to panic attacks. This should lead to changes in habits and behaviors that lower vulnerability. 

To help identify and manage emotions, DBT for panic disorder works on developing three types of skills:

1. Emotional regulation skills. To be able to regulate emotions, a person must first learn to identify the triggers (situations and thoughts) that might provoke a panic attack. The next step is developing strategies for managing symptoms. 
2. Mindfulness skills. Mindfulness skills entail nonjudgmental observation of one’s thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, which helps interrupt spiraling thoughts. They also create space for a person to deal with their symptoms by using adaptive coping strategies. 
3. Distress tolerance skills. Developing these skills aids in regaining control by reconnecting with the present environment. Some of the techniques a person learns are deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or engaging the senses. Some self-soothing strategies, like repeating positive affirmations, visualizing a safe place, or engaging in calming activities like soothing music or slow, controlled breathing, are also offered as part of the DBT for panic disorder approach. 

We Level Up WA Treatment Approach

DBT for panic disorder at We Level Up Washington is a program rather than a single treatment method conducted in isolation. It consists of individual therapy, group therapy, and therapist consultation-team meetings. DBT addresses five key functions of treatment:

1. Enhancing capabilities: This function is related to improving skills. Weekly skills group sessions consist of 4–10 individuals. Didactics, active practice, discussion of new skills, and homework are typical parts of skills development work. 
2. Generalizing capabilities: This function is all about transferring acquired skills to everyday life. For this, we rely on individual therapy sessions, but our staff is also available if a person is experiencing a crisis and is in need of immediate consulting. 
3. Improving motivation and reducing dysfunctional behaviors: This function is also accomplished in individual therapy and usually involves behavioral targets, self-monitoring, and the application of skills in specific circumstances, like the ones in which panic attacks took place. 
4. Enhancing and maintaining therapist capabilities and motivation: Unlike previous functions, this one is not focused on the client but on the therapist. To address this function, therapist consultation-team meetings are organized. Therapists meet weekly for 1-2 hours. This way, the team supports each other by providing perspectives and advice. 
5. Structuring the environment: This function relates to structuring the environment to support behavioral changes. 

DBT for panic disorder will fulfill these functions but will be adjusted to address the specificities of panic disorder. We at We Level Up Washington also ensure that we address the particularities of any case and your specific needs and desires. We help our clients learn how to accept a situation, develop strategies to deal with it, regulate their emotions, and develop distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. For maximum convenience, we suggest the option of inpatient mental health in Washington State, as it allows you to focus on yourself and your goals while getting 24-hour care.

Enroll in Our DBT Program

DBT for panic disorder is a good choice for you or your loved ones struggling with panic disorder. Although we have full confidence in this approach and offer supreme DBT in Washington experience, the first step in receiving the treatment ought to be an evaluation of the mental state done by a professional. It might turn out that what you actually need is an anxiety treatment in Washington. 

This is why the first step in our admission process is a pre-admission assessment. In this step, medical history is collected, as well as other details like substance use or previous history of treatment. Knowing this helps our professionals craft a program aligned with your needs, requirements, and preferences. To start your healing journey, contact We Level Up WA. Call (509) 348-4077 or fill out the contact form. Our staff will guide you through the assessment, enrollment, and admission process and ensure you get all the answers you are looking for.

Insurance and Financing

We Level Up WA mental health facilities in Washington State accept different health insurance. One of the steps in our admission process is an insurance check to validate whether your coverage is sufficient for suggested recovery treatment. We work with insurance providers like Aetna and Cigna, but if you have different providers, you might still be eligible for partial or complete coverage of our services. 

If, however, your insurance is not accepted or you prefer a different type of payment, we can explore that option together. Give us a call to analyze your situation and preferences better. All our calls are confidential and non-binding.

Take Control of Your Life Back

Having a panic attack is not necessarily a signal that a disorder will develop. However, if panic attacks become frequent and start significantly impacting your life, it might be the right time to look for professional help. DBT for panic disorder can be your solution to reclaiming control over your life. With skills that develop and improve, your life can improve as well.

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Hotline: (509) 348-4077