Smith ScholarWorks Theses, Dissertations, and Projects 2013 From anxiety to panic disorder : effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness based stress reduction as treatment in adolescence Carrie-Anne Swiatek Smith College Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Swiatek, Carrie-Anne, "From anxiety to panic disorder : effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness based stress reduction as treatment in adolescence" (2013). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA. https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/610 This Masters Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in Theses, Dissertations, and Projects by an authorized administrator of Smith ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Carrie-Anne Swiatek From Anxiety to Panic Disorder: Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction as Treatment in Adolescence ABSTRACT Research has shown that mental illness often surfaces during adolescence and early adulthood, and can frequently extend throughout adulthood. Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for individuals and society can be overwhelming. Untreated individuals often fall victim to unnecessary disabilities, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, comorbid health issues and even suicide. Further, there is a continuing need for supportive services for adolescents who are specifically diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder, or who self-identified as having excessive anxiety and other stress-related symptoms. Research has shown the cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based treatment interventions may be effective for a broad range of mental health issues in adults (Pincus, May, Whitton, Mattis & Barlow, 2010; Thompson, M., & Gauntlett-Gilbert, J., 2008); however, fewer studies exist in regards for treatment with such interventions for adolescents.