Body sensations in every day situations

(Companion to “Same body signs, different meanings”)

This psychoeducational menu is designed to support young people in reappraising common physical symptoms of panic. It offers a bank of relatable, non-threatening examples of situations where bodily sensations—such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or shakiness—can occur without danger.

It is designed to help therapists challenge misinterpretations of bodily cues by normalising these experiences and providing a reference for alternative, everyday explanations. Used alongside cognitive interventions, the resource encourages cognitive flexibility and supports the development of more balanced interpretations—key in reducing panic maintenance.

References and Further Reading

  • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edn Arlington, Virginia: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
  • Baker, H. and Waite, P. (2020) The identification and psychological treatment of panic disorder in adolescents: a survey of CAMHS clinicians. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25 (3). pp. 135-142
  • Barlow, D.H., Raffa, S.D. and Cohen, E.M., 2002. Psychosocial treatments for panic disorders, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. A guide to treatments that work, 2, pp.301-336.
  • Clark, D.M., Salkovskis, P.M., Hackmann, A., Wells, A., Ludgate, J. and Gelder, M., 1999. Brief cognitive therapy for panic disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(4), p.583.
  • Craske, M. G., & Barlow, D. H. (2001). Panic disorder and agoraphobia. In D. H. Barlow (Ed.), Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: A step-by-step treatment manual(3rd ed., pp. 1–59). The Guilford Press.