Panic diary 1 (cognitive)

This resource invites young people to track episodes of panic using a structured, cognitive-focused diary format. It prompts reflection on the physical sensations experienced, the context in which the panic occurred, and the catastrophic thoughts that accompanied it.

Designed to support therapists delivering psychoeducation and cognitive interventions for panic, this tool facilitates collaborative identification of safety predictions and misinterpretations of bodily sensations. It helps young people build insight into their panic patterns and serves as a foundation for introducing cognitive restructuring or behavioural experiments in future sessions.

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.