RESEARCH ASSISTANCE!

 Cognitive predictors of panic related symptoms in a non-clinical sample.

Deakin University is conducting research to examine factors associated with the development of panic symptoms and coping strategies people use to deal with these symptoms. Research shows that anxiety sensitivity (fear about the consequences of anxiety-related symptoms) plays an important role in the development of panic attacks and is also related to the development of panic disorder. Many people experience panic symptoms or panic attacks but do not develop panic disorder. Therefore, it is important to gain a better understanding of the factors that are related to high levels of anxiety sensitivity. This is likely to provide information about factors that may increase the risk of developing panic attacks or panic disorder.

The research is being conducted by Dr Ciaran Pier and Urszula Bobrowski as part of her Honours in Psychology research project. We are looking for anyone aged 18 and over to complete an anonymous online questionnaire which takes approx. 15-30 minutes. These questionnaires are designed to assess your experiences of anxiety and panic, your interpretation of panic symptoms, and your coping strategies for dealing with anxiety. The study has ethical approval from Deakin University's Human Research Ethics Committee (project ID: 2012-121). Participation is completely voluntary.

You can learn more about the survey by reading the plain language statement by clicking on the link below. If you are interested in participating you can begin the questionnaire.

http://www.deakin.edu.au/psychology/research/urszulabobrowski

For any further information please contact Urszula: ujb@deakin.edu.au.

Thank you, your time is greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely, 
Dr Ciaran Pier and Urszula Bobrowski

Treating Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Panic attacks affect approximately 4 in 10 people. These attacks are very debilitating! They leave the individual feeling that they are losing control, going crazy or even dying. Panic Disorder is less frequent and affects about 4% of the population. People suffering from panic disorder have a persistent fear of having a panic attack and a constant worry about the consequences of an attack. To compensate, many alter their behaviour in an attempt to prevent attacks, for some it is so overwhelming that they try to avoid any place where it might be difficult to get help or to escape from, this is avoidance is called Agoraphobia.

On Thursday the 13th of October, Psychologist Peter Kyriakoulis will be presenting a lecture discussing the use of Cognitive Behavioural therapy to treat Panic attacks and Panic Disorder. The lecture will be held in Ringwood from 7:30pm. For more information, or to book, please check out the ADAVIC website.

Mental Health Week 9th - 15th October

The 2011 Mental Health Week is rapidly approaching. During this week, Sunday the 9th to Saturday the 15th, ADAVIC will be holding two lectures.

On Tuesday the 11th of October Dr Scott Blair-West will be presenting a lecture on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This lecture aims to explain what OCD is and will discuss different examples of the obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals people perform. It will also delve into some more newly recognised OCD symptoms performed to reduce anxiety. For more information or to book online, please click here.

The second lecture; 'Treating Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)' will be held on Thursday the 13th of October. Presenter Peter Kyriakoulis will discuss the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a treatment option for Panic Attacks. For more information about this event or to book online, please click here

A mother's journey dealing with a child suffering panic attacks!

By Georgette Anderson-Reed

My eldest daughter Rhiannon always had a spark about her that made me envious, people were drawn to her, her smile was contagious. She had an essence for life that was inspiring. We had just had the most amazing start to the year as her father and I married after thirteen years together, we were all on top of the world. Rhiannon gave a speech in front of eighty people expressing her love to us both, we were so proud. So why two months later did it all come crashing down around us?

It started off as small spurts, little things that no one else would have picked up on, but as a mother I knew something was not right with my little girl. She was ten and struggling at school and letting little things get to her. She was stressed getting up in the morning to go to school and that was a sign that something was wrong as Rhiannon loved school and hated the thought of not going. In the six years of her education, she had only ever missed a handful of days and when she did, she was usually very ill. Day by day she began to deteriorate and as a mother I knew I needed to be strong to get her through this, but on the inside I was screaming for someone to give me back my daughter.

Doctors after doctors, tests after tests, no one could tell me what was wrong with my angel. As I held her in my arms while she cried, screaming that she wanted to hurt herself or someone else for all the pain to stop, I knew a piece of Rhiannon had died and it was going to be my job to find a new piece for her to develop. I told her to start writing down and explaining her feelings. Her first piece of work explained more than I could have ever imagined. Reading your daughter’s pain and how trapped she feels you begin to wonder where you went wrong as a parent.

Sadly no one was taking this seriously and her school was only treating this as if I was a crazy mother and my daughter was trying to get attention. She started seeing the school psychologist which was helping, and I began to see Rhiannon’s new path. She started talking about wanting to help other kids that may feel the same way as she does and arranged a group for kids just like her to be heard and for someone to just listen. I was so proud, but deep down I could see Rhiannon was still struggling. She had always been a highly anxious child, stressing about the little things; however I was clueless to the depths of her discomfort. She began to panic at the smallest things, to the point where she would almost faint.

I must admit, as a control freak myself, I was struggling with her. I just wanted her to get back on track and live a happy normal carefree life. Everything became an issue - cutting her hair, going up and down stairs, escalators and elevators, and even eating meat became problematic as she was fearful of choking. I knew she was struggling but I did my best to make everything ok, but I was only making matters worse. The sad point is that I too suffer from panic and fear, so how could I of all people not understand? Because I believe I have mine under control. Mine is all hidden where no one can see, then escapes at night in my sleep where I have nocturnal panic attacks.

It wasn’t until I started student placement at ADAVIC, and I started reading books on anxiety, that it hit me smack in the face. Rhiannon was caught in her own nightmare where everyone could see her anxiety on display. I asked Rhiannon to share her feelings in writing an article, so I could understand how she was feeling around her panic and fear. It was right in front of me the whole time that she was suffering from a panic attack disorder and I got so caught up with trying to fix her that I did not stop to see her discomfort. Whilst Rhiannon and I share a beautiful relationship, I was trying to control her disorder rather than helping her live with it.

I am slowly adjusting to having a daughter who suffers from a panic attack disorder, giving her the time she needs when she faces her fears. My husband, on the other hand, does not understand as he has never suffered anything like this and acts as cool as a cucumber, and does not have the tolerance with her. However, we are taking it day by day and learning to work with her instead of against her. When an attack comes on we help her, talk her through it, and we learn more and more everyday from her. Although I lost a piece of my daughter, I have gained a new piece, a strong inspiring piece that will not only teach me but will help and teach many more in the future. If Rhiannon has taught her father and I anything, it is that living with panic attack disorder should not be a life sentence, it will take time, patience and support but as a family we will learn to live with it, not against it…

SOME TIPS TO REMEMBER DURING A PANIC ATTACK

It does not matter if you feel frightened, bewildered, unreal, unsteady. These feelings are nothing more than an exaggeration of the normal bodily reactions.

Just because you have these sensations, doesn’t mean that you are very sick. These feelings are just unpleasant and frightening, not dangerous. Nothing worse will happen to you.

Let your feelings come. They’ve been in charge of you. You’ve been pumping them up and making them more acute. Stop pumping. Don’t run away from panic. When you feel the panic mount, take a deep breath, and as you breath out, let go. Keep trying. Stay there almost as if you were floating in space. (Floating is the term used by Dr. Weakes). Don’t fight the feeling of panic. Accept it - you can do it.

Try to make yourself as comfortable as possible without escaping. If you are in the street, lean against a post, fence or wall. If you are in a busy department in a store, find a quieter counter or corner. If you are in a boutique, tell the salesperson you don’t feel well and want to sit down for a while. Do not jump into a cab and go home in fear.

Stop adding to your panic with frightening thoughts about what is happening and where it might lead. Don’t indulge in self pity and think: “Why can’t I be like all the other normal people? Why do I have to go through all of this?” Just accept what is happening to you. If you do this, what you fear most will not happen.

Think about what is really happening to your body at this moment. Do not think: “Something terrible is happening. I must get out”. Repeat to yourself: “I will not fall, faint, die, or lose control”.

Now wait and give the fear time to pass. Do not run away. Others have found the strength. You will too. Notice that as you stop adding the frightening thoughts to your panic, the fear starts to fade away by itself.

This is your opportunity to practice. Think of it that way. Even if you feel isolated in space, one of these days you will not feel this way. Someday soon you will be able to go through the panic and say “I did it”. Once you say this, you will have gone a long way towards conquering the fear. Think about the progress you have already made. You are in the situation.

Try to distract yourself from what is going on inside you. Look at your surroundings. See the other people in the street, in the bus. They are with you, not against you.

When the panic subsides, let your body go loose, take a deep breath, and go on with your day. Remember, each time you cope with a panic attack, you reduce the fear.

The book Complete Self Help For Your Nerves by Claire Weekes can be purchased from the ADAVIC online store:
Direct link: http://www.adavic.org.au/product-view.aspx?Id=19

Treating Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria Presents
Treating Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)



A Lecture with Peter Kyriakoulis, Clinical Psychologist
Director of the Positive Psychology Clinic & Positive Psychology Wellness Centre.

This lecture will discuss (CBT) as being a treatment option for Panic Attacks!

Panic attacks affect approximately 4 out of 10 people and are very debilitating as individuals may feel that they are losing control, going crazy or dying. Panic Disorder is less frequent and affects about 4% of the population. Individuals suffering from panic disorder have a persistent fear of having a panic attack and worry about the consequences of an attack. Many people change their behaviour in an attempt to prevent attacks and some are so affected that they try to avoid any place where it might be difficult to get help or to escape from. When this avoidance is severe it is called Agoraphobia and refers to people developing a fear of crowded places.

Panic Disorder may become accompanied by depression, other anxiety disorders, dependence on alcohol or drugs and may also lead to significant social and occupational impairment. This seminar will attempt to define panic attacks and panic disorder with and without agoraphobia and will describe various evidence based cognitive behavioural techniques used in treatment.


Peter Kyriakoulis is the director of the Positive Psychology Clinic and the Positive Psychology Wellness Centre. He is a clinical psychologist who specialises in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. He completed his undergraduate studies with honours at the University of Athens in 2000, and in 2003 he completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology in Melbourne.

Since 2003 he has been working in private practice as a psychologist, and over the ensuing years has worked in community health and various psychiatric settings, becoming a member of the Clinical College of the Australian Psychological Society in 2007. Peter has a wide interest in applying positive psychology principles in clinical practice whilst maintaining a cognitive behavioural framework. He also specialises in psychological assessment using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality
Inventory (MMPI-2).

Thursday 24th February 2011
7.30pm-9.00pm
Northcote Town Hall (First Floor, Room 1)
189 High Street, Northcote VIC

Cost:
$10.00 ADAVIC members
$20.00 Non-Members
Bookings:
Phone: ADAVIC (03) 9853 8089
Email: adavic@adavic.org.au
Website: http://www.adavic.org.au/

Proceeds from this event help to maintain ADAVIC services

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL! Monies non refundable