The What Is A Panic Attack? handout provides an overview of panic attacks and their typical escalation sequence.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.
Panic attacks are single episodes of intense fear or discomfort that begin suddenly and reach a peak within minutes. The cognitive behavioral model of panic suggests that misinterpreting benign body symptoms as a threat leads to activation of the fight-or-flight system, which can in turn exacerbate the intensity of panic symptoms. This educational handout demonstrates a typical escalation sequence for panic attacks.
This handout serves as an educational tool for helping clients understand what panic attacks are and how they escalate.
Designed to help clients affected by panic attacks and panic disorder.
Use the handout to describe what panic attacks are and why they escalate.
Discuss how the client experiences panic attacks.
Use the handout to explore how the client's panic tends to escalate.
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes and are common among those with anxiety. While not dangerous, experiencing one increases the likelihood of future attacks. Symptoms may include palpitations, sweating, trembling, dry mouth, or shortness of breath.
David Clark’s cognitive behavioral model suggests that misinterpreting benign body sensations as threats activates the fight-or-flight response, which escalates panic. Panic attacks can occur in three types: following heightened anxiety, unexpectedly, or during sleep (nocturnal attacks).
Cognitive behavioral therapy for panic attacks focuses on correcting catastrophic misinterpretations through psychoeducation, monitoring symptoms, behavioral experiments, exposure to anxiety sensations, and relapse prevention. The What Is A Panic Attack? handout is a client tool that explains how benign physical feelings can escalate into a panic attack.
