Group Therapy for Panic Disorder

如果您已被诊断出来恐慌症, your doctor or mental health specialist may refer you to group therapy. You may be wondering how group therapy can help you cope with yoursymptoms. The following describes an overview of group therapy for panic disorder.

什么是群体治疗？

As the name implies,组治疗涉及psychotherapy在组设置中。通常，一个或多个合格的专业人士促进组治疗过程。协调人负责规划小组活动，筛选会员，确定本集团的主题或目标，并领导本集团的一般方向。

The group therapist also decides the general structure of the group therapy sessions, such as dates, times, and location. The facilitator and members meet at a private location for about one to two hours a week. Group therapy sessions can be limited, running over a period of weeks, or more open-ended. Most groups will consist of as few as three to upwards of fifteen members. The facilitator will determine if the group will be open to new members joining or if it will be a closed group that will retain the same members throughout.

When the group meets, seats are generally arranged in a circle to promote relating and sharing. The group therapy process typically occurs in stages. One way to conceptualize this is: forming, working, and closing. During the forming stage, participants will introduce themselves and begin to get to know each other.

Next, the working stage involves getting deeper into learning about the condition and problem-solving. This occurs through sharing exercises, skill-building activities, discussions on progress, goal setting, and other group activities. During the final, or closing stage of the group, participants begin to transition to looking towards the future and determining how they will apply what they have learned to life outside the group. This final stage focuses on how members plan to maintain success after treatment.

集团的好处是什么治疗for Panic Disorder?

参加组疗法有许多好处。组治疗恐慌症的一些最常见的益处包括：

社会支持- 许多有恐慌症的人正在处理感情寂寞and isolation. Family and friends may try to be supportive but may be unable to understand their loved one's struggle. Group therapy provides a sense of belonging, allowing people with panic disorder to build skills with others who can relate. Not all group members will have the same experiences, but members will be able to understand each other’s struggle with panic disorder symptoms. Through group therapy, members can feel safe and supported as they share their progress, setbacks, aspirations, and goals.

激励和灵感- Not only does group therapy offer acceptance, but it can also provide members with accountability. People are often more inclined to work on goals when others are holding them accountable for achieving them. It can be very motivating to work on issues in a group setting. Members may feel inspired by sharing ideas and witnessing the success of others. Group therapy can instill a sense of hope, foster encouragement, and provide inspiration on the road to recovery.

个人成长和症状管理- 组治疗的主要目的是有助于管理症状。通过集团，提供了尝试新的态度和应对的能力。其他成员提供的反馈可以帮助增加自我意识。组治疗也可以让成员放弃浮肿情绪，减轻压力,改善自尊，并学习新的方式管理焦虑.

The type of psychotherapy used for group therapy will depend on therapist’s training and theoretical approach. Many groups will be facilitated using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT.）已经发现有效治疗焦虑症的技术。许多CBT技术对于组格式很好，例如角色扮演，认知重组和行为修改。保持团体的势头，在会议之间，家庭作业，如写作练习也可以每周分配。

入门组治疗

组治疗is frequently offered through hospitals, clinics, private practices, and nonprofit community agencies. Some groups may focus specifically on managing panic disorder. Other groups may be more general, centering on common issues for those with anxiety disorders, such asovercoming negative thinking， 学习relaxation techniques， 和自信培训.

组治疗通常只是一个人的治疗计划的一部分。您的治疗计划可能包括其他有效的治疗方案，例如个体心理治疗和恐慌症的药物. Your treatment provider will help you determine which治疗方案最好满足您的需求。