Stories of Hope, Essay Example

Panic Disorder

Having viewed the video on panic disorder, I formulated a method of interacting with people who have panic disorder. In so doing, I describe how I would evaluate them. Implementing understandings about verbal and nonverbal behavior especially with respect to word choices, there are behaviors I would adopt in order to prevent or mitigate an attack.

In evaluating people with panic disorder, I would try to gauge the severity of their disease. First, I would ask if they were taking any medication to help control problems associated with it. Next, I would ask them to describe situations in which they had experienced panic attacks and try to understand some of the unique environmental triggers increase the sufferer’s chance of having a full blown attack. Furthermore, I would ask them if they were ever able to “head off” an attack themselves and what happened or what they did to make that happen.

Throughout this process, I would implement my knowledge of human communication patterns to prevent or mitigate the onset of an attack. For example, I would speak in an even and relaxed tone of voice because to speak in a normal or slightly boisterous voice might make them nervous enough to trigger an attack. Furthermore, I would keep my physical motion to a minimum. I would not make any quick movements and would limit the range of motion from my extremities. This is intended to keep from “spooking” them into an attack.

I have described a method by which I would evaluate and interact with people who have panic disorder. As part of the method, I implemented understandings about human communication schemas that are geared toward mitigating the onset and severity of attacks in people who experience them. My hope is this information will be used to benefit people with panic disorder.