Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them

Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them is a free course that should be helpful to anyone who experiences panic or panic attacks, for their family and friends, and anyone more generally interested in mental health and mental health treatment. The course starts by exploring formal definitions of panic and panic attack. These are then contrasted with personal accounts of the experience of panic. It also presents some of the key understandings of why panic attacks happen, and provides an overview of the main ways people can get help and help themselves. 

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 What are panic attacks and panic disorder?
• 1 What are panic attacks and panic disorder?
• 1.1 Symptoms of panic
• 1.2 Defining panic disorder
• 1.3 Experience of panic disorder
• 2 How can panic attacks be understood?
• 2 How can panic attacks be understood?
• 2.1 Cognitive theory of panic disorder
• 2.2 The fear response
• 2.3 The role of interpretations in panic attacks
• 2.4 The role of avoidance
• 2.5 The role of emotion processing
• 3 What can be done about panic disorder?
• 3 What can be done about panic disorder?
• 3.1 Therapy for panic disorder
• 3.2 What happens in CBT for panic?
• 3.3 Self-help and sources for support
• 3.4 Where to get support
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• References
• Acknowledgements