Clinical review
Reviewer: David Bloore, Clinical Psychologist, David Bloore Psychology Ltd (private practice)
Date of review: September 2023
Comments: This review has focussed on the Overcoming Panic, Part 1 and Part 2 courses, for people who suffer panic attacks. It is part of the Just a Thought website and draws from treatment practices which have demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of panic attacks. Each of the courses comprises 3 parts. The first course provides information about anxiety, panic attacks, and skills to manage; and the second course focuses on how to manage these symptoms in the long-term. The course is designed to be completed in around 2 to 3 months, but can be done at the chosen pace of the user.
While users have the option to complete it on their own, it is recommended that they work through the programme with the support of an experienced health professional. This is due to the large amount of information, which may prove to be overwhelming or possibly confusing without having someone to help guide them through the process. (This may not be a problem for people who are motivated or enjoy self-learning.) Also some of the ‘panic exercises’ recommended in part 2 of the course would be best attempted with some oversight.
Overall, these 2 courses provide the user with accurate and valuable information about anxiety and panic attacks and offer a robust treatment process to help understand and manage panic symptoms effectively. While the content lacks variety (written material only) it is an easy platform to navigate and a worthwhile treatment option for people who experience panic attacks and a useful tool for health professionals to use with their clients.
New Zealand relevance: Yes.
Safety concerns: No, but I would want to reiterate that if clients are experiencing what they think are panic attacks, it would be important to initially seek the support of an experienced health/mental health practitioner (eg, their GP) before starting a programme like this.
