A Case History Dealing with Panic Attacks and College

Triggered by Attending Lectures

“(TAT and EFT are) fast working techniques and you can see the results really quickly; I didn’t expect it. Thought it would be a much longer process (to stop the panic attacks)”

The Background to the Onset of Panic Attacks

The client was a female student in her early twenties.
The first time she had become aware of having a problem was when she experienced a panic attack during an exam when she was sixteen years old.

It steadily became worst, impacting on her exam results. She found it difficult to concentrate on exam questions because her mind was continually thinking about the other people around her and having panic attacks.

Although she later went to university, she found it difficult attending lectures. In fact, she had several panic attacks while there, of varying intensity. When she went to lectures, she only felt comfortable if she was able to choose a seat which was near the exit. If she was seated at the back of the group, she felt more comfortable.

The worst possible seating arrangement was facing her fellow students across a table. She said that she would be OK in the room if the other people were not there. The thought that made her feel uncomfortable was, a ” room full of people staring at me and I can’t get out”.

During the period that she was experiencing panic attacks she was attending University. She decided to drop out after the second year. She still felt depressed about that course and how the students had been treated.

She is currently attending a new university and undertaking a different degree. Since she already has used up some of her grant on the previous course, her current course fees will not be met entirely by the relevant bodies. She is feeling down about the debts that she is developing. Adding to this is the fear that the panic attacks and discomfort could force her to leave before finishing and put her in an unbelievably bad financial position.

After completion of session one the client reported that she had had no more panic attacks but that she some anxiety, but she was able to manage it. Situations in which she had previously found herself extremely uncomfortable, she felt totally comfortable in and was only realizing when thinking back that she had been in situations that previously would have been an issue.

The second session was mainly used to put her in a more positive frame of mind regarding accumulating debt and using between session feedback to deal with any loose end.

Strategy for sessions

Session One

• Eliminate any negative emotions from the original triggering event
• Eliminate any fear of having future panic attacks
• Identify any anxiety triggering thoughts and reframe them
• Deal with any past stress that was currently affecting the client’s mood

Feedback after First Session

• No longer having panic attacks
• Client rated problem as 80% improved

Session Two – Two Weeks Later

Eliminate worry about current financial concerns which will enable her to concentrate more on her course- (Note -worry never solves any problem, but becomes part of it)

Eliminate any fear of changing body sensations (with fear of panic the person becomes hyper aware of any changes within the body, such as faster heart rate and begins fearing that a panic attack is about to happen- note- there are many reasons that could cause a change in heart rate etc including excitement)

Eliminate any fear/ anxiety from other past panic attacks

Set up a stress management programme to avoid the possibility of the problem returning

When working with any issue you need to develop a plan. These plans prioritize and deal with the most important or biggest issues first. With this case the following plan was developed over the two sessions.

How the problem develops

The body has a natural survival instinct, commonly termed the “fight or flight” response. When danger is perceived this instinct is alerted and causes certain changes to occur within the mind/body. These changes enable the person in danger to react to it by either fighting or running away. If there was a real danger this response could well save the individuals life. The problem in this situation is that the perceived danger is not really a threat, but that the body is reacting as if it is one.

The above case history was written with the kind permission and help of the client

“I feel like smiling when I think of being in an exam room now”
“I believe in myself more”
“Other people noticed that I was very positive and happy” – (feedback after first session)

Specific Technique used in this case

EFT™

TAT™

Timescale

Initial Session -One and a half hours

Second Session – One hour

Photo by Kat Jayne from Pexels