Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy is a form of treatment for panic disorder that has been gaining attention. CBT has been a long-time standard of treatment for PD, but it may not work for everyone. A recent study has shown PFPP to be effective in reducing or eliminating PD symptoms.
In general, PFPP assumes that unconscious motives and psychological conflicts are at the core of one’s current problems. The unconscious mind, or subconscious, is a hiding place for painful emotions. Defense mechanisms keep these painful emotions hidden, but if these painful emotions can be brought in to the conscious mind, they can be dealt with and the symptoms of panic disorder and associated behaviors can be eliminated or reduced.
Like all forms of psychotherapy, there are no guarantees that PFPP will work for everyone, and further studies need to be done to show its effectiveness. But, adding another well-studied approach to the PD treatment arsenal will, undoubtedly, benefit many sufferers.
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