How to Talk to Your Patients about Panic Disorder
Many panic disorder patients are reluctant to seek treatment or have been frustrated by previous encounters with health care professionals. You can play a crucial role in motivating these people to get treatment. Here are some suggestions for communicating with anyone who has panic disorder. Acknowledge Seriousness It helps to acknowledge the seriousness of panic disorder. Often, people trivialize this condition. Your recognition that it is real and serious can persuade patients to seek treatment and begin returning their lives to normalcy. In offering comfort to your patients, it is important to avoid statements that may be interpreted as dismissive: "It's nothing to worry about," or "It's just stress," for example. Patients need to hear words that reflect the gravity of the disorder. Many professionals who have treated panic disorder have found patients receptive to the following explanation. "You have a condition that can be treated: panic disorder. Without treatment, it can grow worse. You need professional help to overcome it, just as you would for any serious medical illness." Also, many people feel their condition is their own fault. By telling them that the disorder has both psychological and biological components, you can reassure your patients that they are not to blame for the condition. Educate Point out that treatment can make a significant difference in their lives in just weeks or months. Explain the various treatment options. Make the patient an active, fully informed participant in the treatment planning process. If you encounter patients who have been unsuccessfully treated for panic disorder before, you can tell them that even when one treatment fails, another often succeeds. Encourage
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