Test your knowledge of Panic Disorder

[Martin Burridge]

In order to overcome Panic Disorder you have to truly understand it. Test your knowledge by answering the following questions. Its part of a test that I use with clients in later stages of (CBT based) therapy. I will post the answers in a few days.

In panic disorder what brings on the very first panic attack
A) A traumatic event
B) A build up of anxiety/ stress
C) A phobia
D) Could be any of the above or a combination

When having a panic attack what is the best thing to do?
A) run away
B) ask someone for help
C) stay and use all your strength to fight it
D) stay where you are. Allow the panic to pass in its own time.

What maintains panic disorder
A) low serotonin levels
B) safety behaviours and avoidance
C) stress and how tough life is generally
D) bad luck

What is grounding?

A) When you pass out and end up on the ground
B) A technique used to deal with the panic attack
C) Lying down until the panic passes
D) Electric shock treatment for panic disorder

What causes negative thoughts to get stronger and more frequent

A) Having the wrong medication
B) Drinking too much alcohol
C) Avoidance and safety behaviours
D) Eating the wrong foods

If you have panic attacks in busy places what is the best thing to do
A) Avoid busy places like the plague
B) Get someone to tie you to a lamppost in oxford street London
C) Gradually expose yourself to busier and busier places using grounding to deal with any panic
D) Make sure there is always someone with you in busy places


When recovering from Panic Disorder what should you expect
A) An instant cure
B) Noone recovers from panic disorder
C) Gradual improvement with occasional setbacks
D) Fully cured within 2-6 weeks

Who is responsible for your recovery from Panic Disorder
A) My GP
B) My therapist
C) Me
C) All of the above.

[mtatum4496]

I like this. Have my answers ready and look forward to seeing how well they match with yours.

[thetube82]

D, D, B, B, C, C, C, D.................erm, by the way there are two 'C' answers to the last question!!, i went for the second 'C' in the hope its really a 'D',.....erm, if that makes sense!!

thetube82

[yvonne_uk_98]

1. D, 2. D, 3. B, 4. B, 5. C, 6. C, 7. C, 8. C. I went for the first c in the last question.

[daisycake]

DDBBCCCC :D .. doing CBT at the moment... hope I'm right?!

[Tero]

I like the trick last question. I go for first C too.

[Freesolo]

D, d, b, b, c, c, c, c

[Martin Burridge]

Well done everyone. Here are the answers with explanations.

In panic disorder what brings on the very first panic attack

A) A traumatic event
B) A build up of anxiety/ stress
C) A phobia
D) Could be any of the above or a combination

The very first panic attack can be caused by almost anything. Some people have one panic attack and then no more. Others develop the fear of another panic attack and this creates the panic disorder (frequent panic attacks)

When having a panic attack what is the best thing to do?
A) run away
B) ask someone for help
C) stay and use all your strength to fight it
D) stay where you are. Allow the panic to pass in its own time.


Although you will have a huge urge to flee, it is best to stay put or if this is too difficult just withdraw slightly and go back to where you were when the panic subsides. By not fleeing or using safety behaviours your brain slowly learns that there is no danger so it stops the fight or flight response (panic attack) Running away will tell the primitive parts of your brain that there is a genuine danger there and encourage future panic attacks. Asking someone for help reinforces your minds core belief that it is to dangerous to cope with on your own. This will encourage future panic attacks.

What maintains panic disorder?

A) low serotonin levels
B) safety behaviours and avoidance
C) stress and how tough life is generally
D) bad luck

Although serotonin and stress are all thought to play a part in panic disorder, it is safety behaviours and avoidance that maintain the disorder. Your brain learns from your behaviours. If your behaviours keep telling it there is a danger then it will respond accordingly. (with a panic attack)

What is grounding?

A) When you pass out and end up on the ground
B) A technique used to deal with the panic attack
C) Lying down until the panic passes
D) Electric shock treatment for panic disorder

The answer is B. Grounding is a technique taught by CBT therapists to help deal with the panic attack.

What causes negative thoughts to get stronger and more frequent?

A) Having the wrong medication
B) Drinking too much alcohol
C) Avoidance and safety behaviours
D) Eating the wrong foods

The answer is C. Alcohol may cause increased negative thoughts the day after because it affects serotonin levels but negative thoughts are caused by your behaviour. If you avoid a situation you are more likely to have negative thoughts about it because your brain has learnt that there is a danger.

If you have panic attacks in busy places what is the best thing to do
A) Avoid busy places like the plague
B) Get someone to tie you to a lamppost in oxford street London
C) Gradually expose yourself to busier and busier places using grounding to deal with any panic
D) Make sure there is always someone with you in busy places

The answer is C. Gradual exposure using grounding to cope with any anxiety will teach your brain that there is no danger and lessen the likelihood of future panic attacks. This requires repetition and persistence though.


When recovering from Panic Disorder what should you expect
A) An instant cure
B) Noone recovers from panic disorder
C) Gradual improvement with occasional setbacks
D) Fully cured within 2-6 weeks

The answer is C. There is no instant cure. Recovery is a journey

Who is responsible for your recovery from Panic Disorder
A) My GP
B) My therapist
C) Me
D) All of the above.

C or D are right. Ultimately it is your actions that will bring about your recovery but you should expect support from your GP and therapist.

If you would like to know more about CBT and Panic Disorder here is an article that I wrote recently on ezinearticles.com. Theres a scary mugshot of me also:)

http://ezinearticles.com/?Panic-Disorder---The-Paradox-of-Effective-Treatment&id=5730996 (http://ezinearticles.com/?Panic-Disorder---The-Paradox-of-Effective-Treatment&id=5730996)