Before We Begin
Mindfulness as a part of the recovery process for panic disorder has to be understood in a very particular way.
The most recent CBT treatments rarely recommend any form of relaxation or distraction techniques in case they are used to avoid the feelings of panic – this then becomes ‘safety behaviour’ which actually MAINTAINS the problem.
Mindfulness ISN’T a relaxation or distraction technique but people CAN mistakenly believe that it is and use it in that way.
For that reason, it is best if you FIRST work on panic using the standard CBT treatment plan – outlined in the previous modules.
Once you FULLY understand about the role of misinterpretation and catastrophisation and that safety seeking behaviour maintains the problem then you can add Mindfulness to your recovery practice.