eTreatment

Panic disorder – guided internet-based treatment

A panic attack is an intense feeling of fear that something terrible is going to happen. During an attack, you experience severe physical discomfort, with symptoms such as a racing heart, trembling, tightness in the chest, sweating, nausea/upset stomach, a feeling of unreality, or dizziness. Many people have a panic attack only once, while others may experience them again. If you find that panic attacks or fear of further attacks are affecting your quality of life, treatment is available that can help you.

eTreatment

With eTreatment, you get access to an evidence-based treatment program via a PC, tablet, or mobile phone, while being followed up by a specialist healthcare provider. This is a form of internet-based treatment with professional guidance.

What eTreatment for panic disorder involves

Hendene til en person som bruker en bærbar datamaskin, og skjermen med bilder fra eBehandlingsprogrammet — The eTreatment program

The program is based on cognitive behavioural therapy, a form of therapy that focuses on how physical reactions, thoughts, and actions affect how we feel. The aim is to help you understand what contributes to panic attacks and how you can manage anxiety. You will learn how to make exposure as effective as possible. You will also learn how to recognise and change actions and thought patterns that maintain anxiety.

eTreatment contains much of the same material as face-to-face treatment for panic disorder. Research shows that this type of treatment can be just as effective.

Referral and assessment

How can you get eTreatment for panic disorder?

If you are already receiving treatment at your local District Psychiatric Centre (DPS), we ask that you apply in consultation with your therapist.
If you are not receiving treatment for mental health difficulties, you can contact your GP and ask them to refer you to us. Ask the doctor to state in the referral that you would like eTreatment. Other doctors or psychologists can also refer you.

In some parts of Norway, you can apply for eTreatment via Helsenorge (scroll down to the bottom of the page).

Response to your referral

You will receive a response from eTreatment by letter or at helsenorge.no. You will be notified by SMS on your phone when the response is available on Helsenorge. The response will explain the assessment made, what happens next, and your rights. If we assess that the treatment is not relevant for you, you will be advised to contact the person who referred you or look for other treatment options. In either case, your GP will be informed that you have been in contact with us.

Before

If we conclude that you may benefit from eTreatment, you will be invited to an assessment appointment. The appointment may be a video consultation or a face-to-face meeting. You will receive more information about this in the response letter.

Before the assessment appointment

We recommend that you read the first chapter ofeTreatment for panic disorder

During the assessment appointment

You will meet a therapist from eTreatment. Together with you, the therapist will assess your difficulties and life situation. You can also ask questions about eTreatment. Together, you will consider whether eTreatment would be a suitable option for you.

During

Treatment

If you decide together that the treatment is right for you, you can start treatment the same day. You will receive information about how to log in, and you will access the treatment using your BankID.

eTreatment is structured in steps. When you have completed one chapter, you will get access to the next. The most important part of the treatment is practising the exercises you are given. The exercises do not take place within the digital program; they are tasks you practise in your everyday life.

Treatment for panic disorder includes:

information about panic disorder
exposure to physical reactions
exposure to external situations: agoraphobia
how to make exposure as effective as possible
managing difficulties that may arise during exposure, and acceptance
managing relapse
how to maintain change and make a plan for the future

Working with your eTherapist

Bilde av skjermen til appen for eBehandling

Your therapist will follow up with you every week through written messages in the program. You can write to your therapist whenever it suits you – for example, about how exposure has gone or what you have been thinking about. You can also ask questions.

Your therapist will read what you write, give you feedback, and support you in your treatment. The aim is for you to work together towards what is important to you, and for you to receive help in reaching your goals.

Involve those closest to you

It may be very helpful to tell, and perhaps also show, those closest to you what you are working on in treatment. Our experience shows that people who involve a family member or close friend in their treatment may find it easier to work through their challenges.

After

When eTreatment is complete, you will be offered an appointment with your therapist. After this meeting, your treatment will end, but you will have read-only access to all the content for 6 months.

Last professionally updated 14.11.2025

Contact

Contact the Department of Addiction Treatment (ARA)

Kongsgård alle 71

Kongsgård alle 71

Kongsgård alle 71, 4632 Kristiansand

Directions

Transport

You can reach our locations by public transport. Visit Agder Public Transport to find your route:akt.no

You may be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses when travelling to and from your treatment location.

As a general rule, you should use public transport, and you must pay a co-payment. To get reimbursed for travel expenses you have paid, you must complete a travel expense claim form and send it toPatient Travel.
Practical information

Is your appointment inconvenient? If you receive your appointment letter digitally via helsenorge.no, you can now send a direct message to the department you are due to visit if you need a new appointment time. You must be a registered user of helsenorge to access this service.
You can also contact the department where you have an appointment or call the switchboard on: 38 07 30 00

Children and young people are affected when someone in the family is ill, and need to understand what is happening. You may be a patient, a relative, or a parent of sick children with siblings. We at the hospital will help ensure that the children and young people in your family are well cared for.

Children as next of kin

Visiting hours may vary between departments and locations. Please check with the department where you have an appointment for more information.

See an overview of the hospital departments

General visiting hours:

Arendal:
17:00–19:00 on weekdays
14:00–16:00 and 18:00–19:00 on weekends and public holidays

Flekkefjord:
14:00–15:00 and 18:00–19:00
Maternity ward: 17:00–19:00 (siesta/no visitors: 14:00–16:00)

Kristiansand:
17:00–19:00 on weekdays
14:00–16:00 and 18:00–19:00 on weekends and public holidays

Maternity ward: 16:00–18:00 every day for the newborn’s healthy siblings.
Many patients and relatives want to take photos/videos or blog about their time in hospital. This is of course permitted, as long as you respect the privacy of other patients and staff.

Here are a couple of good tips for using social media if you are a patient or relative:
Be considerate of others. You must have consent if you want to take photos or videos of patients or staff. All patients are entitled to privacy while in hospital.
Parents/guardians decide whether you can take photos of children or publish photos of their children online. Parents should consider what is best for the child. Once a child turns 12, their views must be given considerable weight. Once a child turns 15, they decide for themselves whether they are comfortable being photographed and whether the photos may be published.
Remember that staff must also give their permission if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
You should remove content you have published if the person concerned asks you to. If someone has posted photos of you online without permission, you can ask them to delete them. If they do not listen, you can contact: www.slettmeg.no.
Audio recording
It is not illegal to record conversations you are part of for private use. However, publishing and sharing recordings requires consent from the person you are speaking with. Secretly recording conversations you are not part of is illegal.
Parking at Sørlandet Hospital is subject to a fee Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 20:00. Anyone wishing to park on hospital grounds must follow the signs and instructions on the payment machines.

At the hospitals in Arendal and Kristiansand, you can pay for parking using EasyPark (mobile app) or by card at other locations. Check the signs for payment options and time limits.

At the hospital in Kristiansand, you can register your parking using the EasyPark app, at a parking meter where you park, or on the Flowbird website.

Register payment online

Overview of parking areas at Eg in Kristiansand

At the hospital in Arendal, cameras read vehicle registration numbers when entering and exiting the parking garage through the Autopay service. Follow the signs and read the instructions.

Pay at the payment machine
If you have not created a profile onAutopay.io, you can pay at the machine by the main entrance. Enter your vehicle registration number. You can pay by card.
Pay automatically

Register as a customer with your vehicle registration number and bank card at www.autopay.io. Once registered, you will be charged automatically each time you park in the garage.
During certain periods, for example when there is a lot of snow, it can be difficult to find a parking space. We therefore recommend arriving well in advance.
For electric cars:
Electric cars are charged from the first hour.

Need to charge your car? Not all our hospital sites have charging stations, and those that do have a limited number. You should therefore not rely on being able to charge your car while you are inside as a patient or visitor. You can see all charging stations here:
All charging stations on one map – Norwegian EV Association

Blood donors park free of charge at the hospital.
For more information, contact the blood bank.

Parents or guardians of children (under 18) who are staying in hospital for more than 14 daysare entitled to free parking for the remainder of the child’s stay. This also applies if the child’s stay begins at another hospital. Contact the hospital department for more information.

A valid disabled parking permit entitles you to free parking in designated spaces.
Contact the Service Desk to register your disabled parking permit. Vehicles displaying a disabled parking permit are exempt from time limits unless otherwise indicated on the signs.

Parking for expectant mothers in Kristiansand
Free parking is available for expectant mothers outside the Women’s Department at the hospital in Kristiansand. The maximum parking time is 2 hours.

Smoking can cause discomfort to others. Thank you for being considerate and helping Sørlandet Hospital maintain a smoke-free environment.

Need someone to talk to? Our hospital chaplains have extensive experience supporting people in a range of life situations. They will meet you on your terms, regardless of your faith, beliefs or outlook on life. Hospital chaplains are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for patients, relatives and staff.

Would you like to get in touch? Ask hospital staff for help or call the switchboard on: 38 07 30 00.

Hospital chaplains can also put you in touch with other faith and belief communities.

If you need an interpreter, please notify the hospital well in advance of your appointment. The cost of the interpreter is covered by the health service.Helsenorge.no
Patients not fluent in Norwegian are entitled to an interpreter.Helsenorge.no/interpreter

All visitors can use the hospital’s free wireless internet.

Look for HSO-Gjest in your network list and follow the instructions to log in.

If you cannot find the network, you are in an area where it has not yet been installed.
Contact the Outpatient Unit Lister and Lindesnes, General Team

Meeting place

Flekkefjord:EngvaldHansensvei 6, reception in the outpatient mental health clinic building

Kvinesdal:Åmotsvegen 11

Mandal: Halseveien 5, reception in the outpatient clinic building

Åmotsvegen 11

Åmotsvegen 11

4480 Kvinesdal

Get directions

Engvald Hansens vei 6, building 203

Engvald Hansens vei 6

Engvald Hansens vei 6, 4400 Flekkefjord

Get directions

Halseveien 5, Mandal

Halseveien 5, 4517 Mandal

Get directions

Transport

You can reach our locations by public transport. Visit Agder public transport to find your route:akt.no

You may be entitled to reimbursement of necessary expenses when travelling to and from your treatment location.

You should generally use public transport, and you will have to pay a co-payment. To claim reimbursement for travel expenses you have paid, complete a travel expense claim form and send it toPatient Travel.
Practical information

Does the appointment time not suit you? If you receive your appointment letter digitally on helsenorge.no, you can now send a message directly to the department you are visiting if you need to reschedule. You must be a registered user of Helsenorge to access this service.
You can also contact the department where you have an appointment or call the switchboard on: 38 07 30 00
Many patients and relatives want to take photos or videos or blog about their time in hospital. You are welcome to do so, as long as you respect the privacy of other patients and staff.

Here are a couple of good tips on using social media for you as a patient or relative:
Be considerate of others. You must have consent if you want to take photos or videos of patients or staff. All patients are entitled to privacy while they are in hospital.
Parents/guardians decide whether you can take photos of children or publish photos of their children online. Parents should consider what is best for the child. When the child turns 12, their views must be given significant weight. When the child turns 15, they decide for themselves whether it is okay to be photographed and whether the photos may be published.
Remember that staff must also give their permission if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
You should remove content you have published if the person concerned asks you to. If others have posted photos of you online without permission, you can ask them to delete them. If they do not listen, you can contact: www.slettmeg.no.
Audio recordings
It is not illegal to record conversations in which you take part for private use. However, publishing and sharing recordings requires consent from the person you are speaking with. Secretly recording conversations in which you do not take part is illegal.
If you need an interpreter, you must notify the hospital well in advance of your appointment. Interpreter costs are covered by the health service.Helsenorge.no
Patients not fluent in Norwegian are entitled to an interpreter.Helsenorge.no/interpreter
Contact the Inpatient and Outreach Unit, Lister inpatient ward

Åmotsvegen 11

Åmotsvegen 11

4480 Kvinesdal

Directions

Transport

You can reach our locations by public transport. Visit Agder public transport to find your route:akt.no

You may be entitled to reimbursement of necessary expenses when travelling to and from your treatment location.

As a rule, you should use public transport, and you must pay a co-payment. To get reimbursed for travel expenses you have paid, you must fill in a travel expense claim form and send it toPatient travel.
Practical information

Is the appointment inconvenient? If you receive your appointment letter digitally on helsenorge.no, you can now send a direct message to the department you are visiting if you need a new appointment time. You must be a registered user on Helsenorge to access the service.
You can also contact the department where you have an appointment or call the switchboard on: 38 07 30 00
Many patients and relatives want to take photos/videos or blog about their time in hospital. This is of course permitted, as long as you respect the privacy of other patients and staff.

Here are a couple of good tips on using social media for you as a patient or relative:
Be considerate of others. You must have consent if you want to take photos or videos of patients or staff. All patients are entitled to privacy while they are in hospital.
Parents/guardians decide whether you can take photos of children or publish photos of their children online. Parents should consider what is best for the child. When the child turns 12, their views must be given significant weight. When the child turns 15, they decide for themselves whether it is okay to be photographed and whether the photos may be published.
Remember that staff must also give their permission if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
You should remove content you have published if the person concerned asks you to. If others have posted photos of you online without permission, you can ask them to delete them. If they do not listen, you can contact: www.slettmeg.no.
Audio recordings
It is not illegal to record conversations in which you take part for private use. However, publishing and sharing recordings requires consent from the person you are speaking with. Secretly recording conversations in which you do not take part is illegal.
If you need an interpreter, you must notify the hospital well in advance of your appointment. Interpreter costs are covered by the health service.Helsenorge.no
Patients not fluent in Norwegian are entitled to an interpreter.Helsenorge.no/interpreter

All visitors can use free wireless internet at the hospital.

Look for HSO-Gjest on your network and follow the login instructions.

If you cannot find the network, you are in an area that has not yet been equipped.
Contact Midtre Agder District Psychiatric Centre

Location

We have an outpatient clinic and inpatient unit at Liane Ringvei 33 in Kristiansand.

Outpatient clinic and mobile acute team at the hospital grounds at Eg, Andreas Kjærsvei 101 in KristiansandBuilding 22and 22B.

Liane Ringvei 33

Liane Ringvei 33

P.O. Box 416, 4604 Kristiansand

Find your way

Transport

You can reach our locations by public transport. Visit Agder Public Transport to find your route:akt.no

You may be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses when travelling to and from your place of treatment.

As a general rule, you should use public transport, and you must pay a co-payment. To be reimbursed for travel expenses you have paid, you must complete a travel expense claim form and send it toPatient travel.

Panic disorder – guided internet-based treatment

eTreatment

What eTreatment for panic disorder involves