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Treatment For Panic and Anxiety Attacks
Treatment for anxiety and panic attacks involves psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle modifications. Doctors can help patients manage their symptoms by determining what is the cause of the attack.
They can also prescribe beta-blockers like diazepam or propranolol to slow the speed of a pulse. Psychotherapy involves speaking with the therapist in order to learn how to cope with anxiety.
Psychotherapy
A psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose anxiety and provide counseling. Many sufferers of panic attacks will visit their primary care physician who can check for underlying medical issues. The PCP might refer a patient to a mental specialist depending on the root of their anxiety. The therapist can recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to help reduce anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals identify the behaviors and thinking patterns that can trigger an episode of anxiety. They include catastrophizing or believing that the worst is coming. This type of thinking could be linked to chemical imbalances in the amygdala, and the brain circuitry that handles fear and anxiety. The counselor can assist the client to confront these thoughts in order to decrease the risk of an attack.
Another option is to learn how to manage the physical symptoms that come with panic attacks such as sweating and a heart that is pounding. The therapist can guide the client to control their breathing, a technique known as mindfulness meditation that promotes relaxation. Additionally, the therapist can teach the client to develop an effective sleep routine and strategies to reduce stress.
Some therapists also use exposure therapy to help a person overcome the avoiding behaviors that can cause anxiety. Someone suffering from agoraphobia, for instance, could be encouraged to confront their fears, like crowds or public transport -- one by one until they feel more comfortable.
Anti-anxiety, anti-panic, or benzodiazepines may help reduce the intensity of panic attacks. However, they aren't effective in treating the underlying causes of these episodes. Long-term use of these drugs can lead to addiction and dependence. This makes it harder to break the cycle. Many therapists do not prescribe medication to treat panic disorder.
Behavioral therapy can be costly, but some providers have sliding scale fees or free services for those with low incomes. If you have insurance you can contact your insurance provider to determine what coverage they have available. Some therapists offer online sessions that can be helpful for those who cannot afford to attend in person.
Medications
Doctors often prescribe medications to treat panic attacks in addition to treatment. Certain antidepressants, such as anti-anxiety medication, have been proven effective in decreasing the frequency, intensity and length of symptoms. These medications help to stabilize levels of chemical messengers, referred to as neurotransmitters in your brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used medicines for panic attacks. They are a category of antidepressants that increase the amount of serotonin, a natural brain chemical that affects mood, in the brain. The SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft) and Escitalopram (Lexapro) and paroxetine (Paxil). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, another type of antidepressant, can also decrease anxiety symptoms by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in your brain. These are a class of antidepressants that includes venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
Beta blockers, which are typically prescribed to manage high blood pressure or heart conditions, can also reduce anxiety symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling voice, and shaking hands. They are not usually prescribed for panic disorder, but might be prescribed when a feared event causes panic attacks.
Benzodiazepines can be used to relieve anxiety symptoms quickly. They can be addictive, and withdrawal symptoms could be experienced if you suddenly stop taking them. They may also be harmful when you mix them with alcohol or other depressants. Healthcare professionals might only recommend them for short-term use.
If you are suffering from recurrent anxiety attacks, your doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask you questions about your family history, lifestyle and other mental health issues. They will determine if the attacks are due to an illness like thyroid disorders and be looking for other contributing factors like negative memories from childhood or other stressors, which could be contributing to the symptoms.
The most important aspect in managing panic attacks is understanding that they are not harmful and figuring out how to deal with them. If you have the support of family members, they can also help by implementing relaxation techniques and staying away from caffeine and other stimulants that may cause them to occur.
Lifestyle changes
While everyone has moments of being anxious or experiencing panic attacks, when these symptoms get more intense and persistent and cause your life to be significantly impacted, it may be time for professional help. Psychotherapy and medication are typically effective treatments for anxiety disorders.
Talk therapy is another term for psychotherapy. It is a broad range of treatment options for psychological disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular kind of treatment that helps you to recognize and change negative thoughts and emotions that trigger panic attacks. You can decrease or eliminate anxiety by changing your behavior and reactions.
Anti-anxiety medications can be helpful in managing anxiety and pandemonium. These medications, often referred to as tranquilizers, reduce the activity of the nervous system and provide a sedating effect that helps you feel more calm. Commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications include benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax(r)) and lorazepam (Ativan(r)).
A healthy lifestyle can also be beneficial in reducing anxiety symptoms. Regular exercise can reduce stress, release feel good hormones and boost your mood. It's important to avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking as they can make your anxiety symptoms worse. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle also involves getting enough sleep. The recommended minimum sleep time of 8 hours each night can ease anxiety symptoms and boost cognitive function.
Spending meds that treat anxiety with family and friends and engaging in social activities can help reduce anxiety. Being part of a group who have similar issues can help you figure out that your concerns aren't unique.
In addition, a wide range of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) practices, including meditation, yoga and acupuncture, demonstrate promising results in improving anxiety symptoms. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm these results. In the meantime, you should try to engage in moderate exercise on most days of the week. Eat an omnivorous diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Avoid foods that contain processed sugar, alcohol and caffeine, as they may cause anxiety. Avoid taking herbal supplements without first speaking with your healthcare provider.
Counseling
When a person has an attack of panic it is possible that they experience different symptoms, such as an aching heart tightness in the chest and shaking, hyperventilation, dizziness and chills. They may also believe that they're dying or experiencing an attack on their heart. The attacks usually last for a few minutes then they fade away. People who experience them frequently could be diagnosed with panic disorder.
Your doctor will require you to give your medical history in detail and perform an examination to determine whether panic attacks are present. They will also ask you to explain the symptoms and frequency they occur. They will also search for any other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms. For instance thyroid issues or heart disease.
The most effective treatment for panic and anxiety attacks is psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, with an expert in mental health. It is recommended that you work with a psychiatrist or psychologist. They can assist you in identifying triggers and show you how to cope. They may also prescribe medication such as antidepressants to ease the symptoms and prevent them from returning.
Medications such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), can decrease the frequency of your panic and anxiety attacks, but they won't make them completely go away. If the medications aren't working for you, your doctor can change the dosage or switch to another kind.
A counselor or therapist will also help you learn to manage your emotions, and you may also undergo cognitive behavioral therapy to tackle negative thoughts and beliefs. It can be a tough process, but it can give you the tools to manage your anxiety and avoid panic attacks in the near future. Family and friends can also be a source of assistance as you learn how to manage your symptoms. Health professionals are increasingly recommend that spouses and partners participate in the treatment process for physical and emotional support. They can assist you in relaxing and calm down when anxiety or panic attacks occur.
