TERRAP boasts a very high success rate, and we invite you to join the thousands of individuals who have greatly benefited from our services.
While medications can be very effective in controlling the symptoms of panic disorder, they are never the whole answer. At best, medication can help with about half of the equation towards long-term recovery. Changing how one thinks, learning tools and techniques to prevent or lower anxiety, learning how to identify and express feelings better, and gaining a better education about what causes anxiety is just as effective and important (if not more so) than taking medication. Medications can often work more quickly in bringing relief from the distress and dysfunction that panic symptoms can cause; however, they don’t teach anything, they don’t change anything, and the long-term answers for anxiety issues come from the comprehensive psychoeducational and treatment programs such as the one that TERRAP provides.
Medications increase the brain’s availability of serotonin, which is associated with feelings of well-being. People who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) (eg, Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc.) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI’s) (eg, Cymbalta, Effexor, Prestiq) experience decreased reactivity, more evenness in moods, and a tendency to reduce the amount of time that they spend dwelling on issues that can cause anxiety. All of these improvements are very positive and can help people feel better and restore functioning in anywhere between 3 weeks to 2 months. The side effects of these medications include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and something called “muting”, where people have a decreased capacity to experience the emotional responses that give color to one’s entire experience. For short-term, or as-needed use, there are several effective minor tranquillizers. The most common are Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. These medications work quickly and have a low side effect profile.
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The treatment that TERRAP provides has no physical “side effects” and can also take weeks or months to become fully integrated into a person’s experience. By learning how to understand the cause of anxiety from a “here and now” perspective, and not fearing or trying to predict and control the symptoms that may or may not exist in the future, the patient generally finds that implementing TERRAP techniques can be an extremely freeing process.
Learning effective personal and interpersonal skills to improve relationships and one’s sense of self are objectives of the TERRAP program that have long-term benefits. In fact, over the years, many of our patients have commented that they felt they got even more out of the program than they expected. Put another way, after completing treatment with TERRAP, many of our patients have stated that they are finally not sorry that they went through the previous period of anxiety and panic because the treatments they utilized to conquer their fears inspired them to learn, change, and grow, ultimately benefiting all aspects of their lives.
Research studies in the field of panic and anxiety have indicated that a combination of a comprehensive cognitive behavioral therapy program, like TERRAP, along with short-term medication use, provides the best hope for short and long-term benefits.
Furthermore, it finds that of those who just take medication, about 90% have a chance of relapsing once the medication is discontinued, whereas those who undergo psychological treatment only have a 20–30% chance of relapse once medication is withdrawn. We certainly support the proper use of medication, and we are always available to coordinate care with your M.D. We can also assist you in finding one that meets your needs. TERRAP boasts a very high success rate, and we invite you to join the thousands of individuals who have greatly benefited from our services.
