Psychological Aspects of Panic Disorder - Case Study Example

? Case #3 Case #3 Identify the disorder of the client in the case that you selected. Cite three non-required text sources to support your diagnosis. The client has a panic disorder with agoraphobia. According to the criteria of diagnosis used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), panic disorder is identified when there are repeated sudden panic attacks. The attacks are not because of immediate psychological results of a substance and also are not better justified by a different mental disorder like social phobia which is agoraphobia (DSM IV Panic Disorder Criteria, 2011). All of which are seen in the history of the client. Smith, Robinson & Segal (2011) illustrate that panic disorder is distinguished by recurring, sudden panic attacks, and panic of experiencing one more incident. Sometimes panic disorder is followed by agoraphobia, which is panic of being in areas where flight or help would be hard in the occurrence of an attack. People with agoraphobia are likely to avoid public areas like shopping malls and confined spaces. The client experienced a panic attack when in the mall, and became tensed to go to places where people are many. He also experienced claustrophobic which is fear of being in enclosed spaces like in the elevator. According to American Psychological Association (2011), the side effect of panic disorder includes development of agoraphobia, which is fright of going outdoors. The client decided to stay home because there was comfort and can be in charge of things. 2). Psychoanalytic Approach. Psychoanalytic Approach (PA) is a theory that was established by Sigmund Freud, an Australian psychologist. The method of psychoanalysis tries to access the person’s subconscious so as to comprehend the intentions that impact opinions and performance. Psychoanalytical theory centers on the importance of interpersonal associations, present experiences, selfish disasters like fear of shame and loss of confidence and difficulties with self-identity, as provoking anxiety and fear. A). Describe how a psychoanalytic therapist would view the client’s problem. Several psychoanalysts analyze inhibition, signs, and anxiety as being naturally connected. Inhibition control instinctual appearance so as to evade the anxiety occasioned by the connected unconscious hazards. According to the selected case, the psychoanalyst would view the client’s problem as being natural. The actions of the client are linked to the unconscious mind. Panic happens when the ego is overpowered by anxiety creating a failure in its capacity to control and adjust. The therapist should identify the occasions when the client experienced the attacks then relate to the triggers that were available. Since anxiety is a natural thing, the client is encouraged to identify when he or she experiences the attacks and then discover that the triggers might not be harmful. B). Provide some background information on the psychoanalytic approach and cite three relevant non-required text sources. Goodman (2010) states that the approach of psychoanalysis was proposed on an account of mental activity of human being which heavily relied on the concept of an unconscious mind. Psychoanalysis relates to both the therapy and to the hypothesis. Psychoanalysis as a treatment is commonly used in the management of neuroses and at times in the management of disorders that are non-neurotic. The plan of psychoanalysis is to discover the unconscious mind of an individual so as to comprehend the dynamic of unusual behavior. The National Institute of Mental Health (2010). illustrate that during therapy the client is encouraged to have re-occurrence traumatic happenings and feelings met in childhood, convey them in a secure circumstance, and return them, without anxiety, to the unconscious. Goodman (2010) also states that psychoanalytical theory explains how the psychic arrangement tries to utilize defense method to ward off panic attack in individuals with panic disorder. Usually defense methods decrease anxiety by controlling or slowing down the desires connected to the perceived hazard. C). Explain how the psychoanalytic therapy could be used to help the client and how the client is expected to respond to therapy citing three no-required text sources. The National Institute of Mental Health (2010) states that during free interaction, the client state whatever appears to mind, in spite of how hard or seemingly irrelevant such ideas may appear. Psychoanalysis therapy is long-term. In a week, the client normally attends one-hour sessions of therapy three or four times. Additionally to free interaction, the two mainly significant aspects in the psychoanalysis entail the therapeutic association and the work of the unconscious. Goodman (2010) states that Freud looked at the association involving the therapist and the client to be a very vital part of psychoanalysis where the client was considered as the child and the psychoanalyst assumed the responsibility of parent frequently identified as transference. As freud considered that clients used psychological resistance mechanisms like repression to deal with unconscious makes a key plan of the approach was to convey these aspirations or desires back to consciousness in order to be understood, as illustrated by Goodman (2010). The client is expected to positively respond to the therapy. This is because during free interaction, the client says anything that appears in the mind, regardless of the hardness or seemingly irrelevance of such thoughts. In the case of tolerance whereby the client is considered as a child and the therapist assumes the role of a parent, the client is able to freely interact with therapist and as a result, the problem is managed. Within twelve weeks, the client is expected to start responding positively toward the management of anxiety. He or she is can share his or her experience with others so as to learn how to manage his or her situation. 3). Cognitive-Behavioral Approach Cognitive-Behavioral Approach (CBA) was invented by Aaron Beck, an American psychiatrist. Cognitive behavioral method is usually viewed to be most efficient form of management for panic attacks. This approach mainly focuses on the thoughts outlines and behaviors that are upholding or activating the panic attacks. Cognitive behavioral approach is aimed at solving issues regarding dysfunctional feelings, behaviors and cognitions via a system in the present that is efficient and goal-oriented. This approach can be used in personal therapy and also in group situations. A). Explain how a cognitive-behavioral therapist would approach the treatment of the client you selected. Cognitive-behavioral therapist would approach the treatment of the client considering that the client needs to look at his or her fears in a more rational light. The cognitive component assists the client to change the pattern of thinking that sustain the fears, and the behavioral component assists the client modify the way he or she respond to situations that are panic-provoking. Behavioral therapy that is exposure-based has been utilized for several years to manage particular phobias. The client steadily encounters the thing or circumstance that is feared, maybe at first simply through images or tapes, then afterward face-to-face. Regularly the therapist will go with the client to a feared circumstance to offer support and direction. B). Provide some background information on the cognitive-behavioral approach relevant in understanding the problem your client has citing three non-required text sources. Cognitive-behavioral approach can assist individuals with panic disorder to discover that their panic attacks are not actually heart attacks. The approach also assist individuals with social phobia discover how to conquer the idea that others are constantly watching and evaluating them. When individuals are prepared to deal with their frights, exposure method is shown to them so as to desensitize themselves to circumstances that activate their anxieties as discussed by the National Institute of Mental Health (2010). Behavioral Neurotherapy Clinic (2010) states that psychologists should teach clients how to behaviorally control anxiety when faced up with the feared circumstances and places. According to Smith, Robinson & Segal (2011), cognitive-behavior therapy centers on thoughts and behaviors. The client identifies and confronts the depressing thinking outlines and irrational ideas that fuel the nervousness. Cognitive behavioral therapy is commenced when the client decides he or she is prepared for it and with his or her permission and compliance. To be successful, the therapy should be directed at the client’s particular anxieties and should be tailored to his or her desires. There are no unwanted consequences other than embarrassment of temporarily enhanced anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy regularly lasts about twelve weeks. It can be done at individual or cluster level. For the group level, social phobia can be efficiently managed. For the selected client, he or she is able to meet several people more frequently so that the phobia gradually fades off. C). Citing four non-required text references, explain two desirable outcomes for your selected client. National Institute of Mental Health (2010) states that several people who have panic disorder gain from connecting to a self-help or support cluster and sharing their crisis and accomplishments with others. The desirable outcome for the selected client is getting a calming habit of getting online on his or her computer. Through this, the client is able to make friends with people on meetings and chat rooms, who also suffered from nervousness, panic attacks and depression. These people essentially reached out to the client and may possibly relate to where the client was coming from. People suffering from anxiety need to learn about their symptoms and learn how to tackle them. The client is exposed to the feared circumstances until the panic starts to recede. Through this, the client discovers that the situation is not dangerous and that someone has power over their emotions as stated by Smith, Robinson & Segal (2011). Another desirable outcome for the selected client is that he or she will be able to manage his nervousness in the shortest time possible. Through family support, the client will be able to know his or her triggers of attacks. According to American Psychological Association (2011), cognitive therapy can assist the client recognize potential activators for the attacks. The client can be keen to identify changes in thoughts, circumstances or even a minor alteration in heartbeat. The moment the client comprehends that the panic attack is different and independent of the activator, that inducer starts to lose a number of its power to trigger an attack. For the behavioral component, the client gets the exposure of the feared triggers and tries to manage his actions toward the trigger (Craske, 2009). References American Psychological Association. (2011). Retrieved November 09, 2011, from http://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/panic-disorder.aspx Behavioural Neurotherapy Clinic. (2010). Retrieved November 09, 2011, from http://www.adhd.com.au/anxiety_and_panic_attacks.htm Craske, M. (2009). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. DSM IV Panic Disorder Criteria. (2011). Retrieved November 09, 2011, fromhttp://www.biologicalunhappiness.com/DSMpanic.htm Goodman, C. (2010). The Etiology of Panic Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.internalchange.com/resources/Panic%20Disorder.html Smith, M., Robinson, L. & Segal, J. (2011). Anxiety Attacks and Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved from http://helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm The National Institute of Mental Health. (2010). Retrieved November 09, 2011, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/complete-index.shtml Read More