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Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them
Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them

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Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them

Introduction

This free course, Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them, is focused on panic attacks. We all feel anxious or scared sometimes but it is when anxiety and fear become uncontrollable, when a person begins to really panic, that things move beyond ‘normal’ or everyday experience of worry. And when this experience of panic begins to be a repeated one, when anxiety feels unmanageable, it may be time to start looking for help.

In exploring these issues in this course you will focus on three questions:

  1. What are panic attacks and panic disorder?
  2. How can panic disorder be understood?
  3. What can be done about panic disorder?

A caution

Panic attacks are very common and it is possible that you have experienced them yourself. If this is the case, increasing your knowledge about panic attacks and how to handle them should help.

But focusing on the topic of panic could – particularly as you start reading – make you feel edgy. Usually this feeling will subside as you concentrate on the readings and activities, so it is worth keeping going. However, do also take steps to look after yourself. You can find places to get support in a section at the end of the course.

This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course DD803 Evaluating psychology: research and practice [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .