Panic Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment Research Proposal

A secondary psychological problem that should be addressed is the man's evident agoraphobia, or fear of spending time in public or in wide, open spaces. Although this is not uncommon with individuals suffering panic disorders, special treatment as part of the therapeutic process might be valuable. The patient also has a history of previous mental disorders, including depression that should be monitored. Social isolation brought forth by panic and agoraphobia combined with depression could pose a serious risk to his personal safety, should the symptoms worsen. This is another reason that medication seemed to be the most advisable choice.

Identifying panic attacks as severely incapacitating the man's life, rather than occurring as a 'one-time' incident attached to a physical incident was only determined through intense but empathetic probing. Individuals may often misidentify the symptoms of a heart attack and feel frightened of what is mere indigestion. The more severe psychological ideas behind the patient's behavior only became clear after questions were raised regarding his previous mental history and lifestyle.

The usefulness of psychological labeling is apparent when directing the patient to the most appropriate forms of therapy for his disorder, and also identifying secondary psychological complaints, such as agoraphobia, which can also be treated with Cognitive-Behavioral therapy or other therapeutic means specifically designed to target phobic behaviors. However, clinicians must always be careful that a diagnosis can be a blunt instrument, and does not fully take into consideration individual needs and personal history. Finally, regarding the symptoms of anxiety, it should be noted that some cultures are more willing to tolerate anxiety than others -- someone from a stoic culture that frowns on showing emotion who says he feels mild anxiety might need to be taken more seriously than someone from the dominant culture of the therapist.