If
you suffer from panic attacks and anxiety you may have heard of a
treatment option called cognitive restructuring. Many people are
confused as to what this involves and how it works. So just what is
cognitive restructuring? Let's take a look and learn more.
What is it?
Cognitive
restructuring is a treatment used for panic attacks and anxiety
disorders that involves talking with a therapist. During your
sessions you are taught how to change your thought patterns and the
way you think to help you better manage your fears.
Typically your
therapist helps you to examine your fears and determine whether or
not they are realistic. By looking at your current thought patterns
and identifying how unfounded many of them are you can become able
to approach situations from a more realistic perspective which can
greatly help to eliminate panic or anxiety.
Does it work?
Many studies have
been done that show that cognitive restructuring is effective. The
general findings seem to indicate that about 2/3 - 3/4 of people who
do the therapy stop having panic attacks or at least see a reduction
in their frequency and severity.
However, it should
also be noted that many of these studies found that when people
stopped their therapy their panic and anxiety often returned with 6
months to 1 year.
How does it work?
The basis for this
treatment method lies in the fact that how you think can greatly
affect how you feel. If you are able to change your thoughts then
you can alter your feelings even in situations that previously
triggered a panic attack.
What Are the Pros
and Cons?
One benefit of this
approach is that it does not rely on drugs to alter your mood
artificially. Drugs for anxiety often have serious side effects so
if you can find a treatment option that doesn't rely on them it is a
good idea.
On the
downside, seeing a therapist regularly can be quite expensive and in
some cases the results are not permanent.
There are many
other
natural & alternative treatments
for panic attacks and anxiety as well,
many of which can provide a permanent solution. It is a good idea to
check out all your options before committing to one so you can be
sure the option you choose is the best one for you.
About the Author:
Find out more
about how to treat panic and anxiety naturally at
http://panicattacks.add6.com
Good luck!
