According to a recently published study cognitive behavior therapy was found to be as effective in the treatment for panic disorder when it is done online as it is in a more traditional setting.

"Internet-based CBT is also more cost-effective than group therapy," says Jan Bergström, a clinical psychologist at the Anxiety Disorders Unit of the Psychiatry Northwest division of the Stockholm County Council. "The results therefore support the introduction of Internet treatment into regular psychiatry."

Bergström conducted a randomized trial of 104 patients with panic disorder. All patients underwent internet-based CBT and group CBT. He concluded there was no difference between the two.

The main feature of GAD is excessive and pervasive worry. PD also causes excessive and pervasive worry. So, what's the difference between PD and GAD? The difference may be best understood by looking at the focus of the worry. With PD, the focus of excessive worry is usually about having another panic attack. The focus of worry in GAD generally surrounds many usual life circumstances. For example, excessive worry about finances, job issues, children, and other everyday life events is associated with GAD. Both are classified as "anxiety disorders" and may occur together.

The human brain functions in a complex chemical environment. Researchers now know that brain chemicals play a big part in anxiety and panic. For example, serotonin is one chemical that plays role in modulating anxiety and mood. If serotonin levels are out of balance, excess anxiety and panic may result.

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Is stress causing your heart to pound and your head to ache? It's easy to let stress get the best of us. It gains power when we feel most vulnerable, and its influence can complicate just about every area of our lives. If you're stressed out, you may feel frustrated, angry, nervous and worried. These feelings are likely to have a negative affect on your family, work and social life.

Persistent and unhealthy stress often leads to increased anxiety. If you have panic disorder, more anxiety is the last thing you probably need. In the long-term, unchecked stress has also been indicated in a variety of physical illnesses, such as heart disease, stomach problems, and pain.

The good news is you can learn to manage your stress. There are a variety of effective stress management techniques that are just right for you.

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