Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor may run tests to check for an underlying medical condition that could trigger anxiety attacks. They can also help you to learn strategies to manage your anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of psychotherapy are effective treatments for anxiety. However, they take a while to get results. Benzodiazepines are a great short-term treatment for people suffering from severe anxiety.
Medicines
If psychotherapy alone isn't enough, medications may be prescribed for patients with anxiety disorders. The drugs address the underlying imbalance of chemicals that cause the symptoms of anxiety attacks and can assist in managing the symptoms. Anxiety medication includes antidepressants, benzodiazepines and sedatives. Talk to your physician about the most effective medication for you.
Your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms and your family history when deciding on the best anxiety treatment for you. They will also take into consideration your other health issues, and any medications you are taking. They may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy or the combination of psychotherapy and medication. Biofeedback, exposure therapy and stress management techniques are all other treatments that are effective for anxiety.
The most common antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications ease symptoms by resolving an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters that regulate mood. They include citalopram fluoxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline. Other antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants that function similar to SSRIs but with fewer adverse effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should be started in a small amount and gradually increased in time. They can interact with certain medications, including some birth control pills, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Benzodiazepines are quick-acting drugs that can be prescribed to treat severe anxiety attack. These drugs target GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, creating a calming affect. These medications are prescribed to treat panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders and fears. Because they are addictive and addictive, benzodiazepines should be used for a brief period of time. They also lose effectiveness when they are used for more than 4 weeks.
When benzodiazepines aren't an option alternative sedatives are prescribed, like alprazolam or Clonazepam. These drugs can be beneficial in treating panic attacks, however, they're not as efficient as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. They are also addictive and can interfere with your sleep cycle.
It is important to openly communicate with your physician about your symptoms and how the medication is working for you. Inform them of any other strategies you're trying to manage your symptoms and request regular follow-ups. You can also consider the telehealth options, like Doctor On Demand, which is covered by certain Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans. These online services let you consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist via your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
The most commonly used treatment for anxiety disorders and panic attacks is cognitive behavioral therapy. It is a proven and effective treatment that targets both the thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. The therapist can teach you to recognize your negative thoughts, or thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. The therapist can also help you change your behavior, by instructing you on how to deal with anxiety-related symptoms. These techniques include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. Therapists can provide you with homework assignments to do during sessions, such as monitoring your anxiety or engaging in a task that you've been avoiding because of it (like speaking to a stranger at a social gathering).
People with panic disorder typically suffer from avoidance behavior, which is based on the fear that they'll suffer another panic attack. This can include avoiding situations likely to cause anxiety, like crowds in shopping malls, elevators, highway driving or walking by themselves. These avoidance behaviors may have a significant impact on your life quality. This kind of anxiety could result in issues such as difficulties in concentrating at work and depression, as well as alcohol abuse.
It is thought that panic disorders are caused by a combination of environmental and genetic causes. Stressful life events such as moving into a new home or the death a loved one are common triggers. Some genes may also increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.
The purpose of cognitive behavior therapy is to help you learn to manage your fears and improve your overall quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in contrast to medication, addresses the root causes and helps you develop coping skills that will be helpful in the future.
Although this kind of therapy is effective for a variety of anxiety disorders however, it can be a challenge initially. You may have to attend therapy sessions for a few weeks before you feel better. It is normal to experience some setbacks. It is essential to keep going and keep in mind that you will reap the benefits of your efforts.
Exposure therapy
Psychotherapy and medication are two of the many options for treatment for anxiety attacks. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) helps people recognize and alter unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors that can trigger or exacerbate anxiety attacks. This type of treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a technique that teaches people how to change negative patterns and develop more effective coping skills. It also helps people learn to overcome their fears of certain situations. It is essential to adhere to a treatment plan. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions can make a patient feel better in 10-20 weeks.
Exposure therapy is a method in CBT that involves repeatedly facing your fears and triggers. The therapist creates an approach to expose you to your fears in a secure and controlled environment. They can employ in vivo exposure (real life) in which you are exposed to your fears in a real-world environment, or virtual reality, where you are exposed to your fears in an immersive environment. In vivo is best for specific fears. The therapist will gradually expose your fears to you until it becomes less significant.
This therapy can be very intense. It could be characterized by flooding, in which you are exposed to a fear-inducing situation for a prolonged duration. It can also include cognitive processing, psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. It can be used to treat a variety of major anxiety disorders including post-traumatic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It's also helpful for anxiety related to social situations.
It is essential to find a doctor who is experienced in exposure therapy. You should choose someone who is a member of a national organization or network which deals with anxiety disorders. Reading reviews is also an excellent idea. You could also ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist. You can join a support group that is for people who suffer from anxiety. You can lessen anxiety by being physically active and using relaxation methods. Avoid drinking and recreational drug use and smoking as they can cause anxiety or even make it worse. Stress can also cause anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are powerful medicines that can treat anxiety quite effectively. However, they can be addictive and cause serious side effects if used regularly or long-term. This is the reason they are usually only prescribed to treat short-term symptoms of severe anxiety or sleeplessness.
They work by slowing the nervous system and creating a state of an increase in sedation. Orally, they can be taken in the form of sprays, liquids or tablets. They can be injected directly into the vein. Benzos are used to treat generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder and insomnia. They are particularly beneficial when a patient is experiencing a major panic attack because they can provide rapid effective and immediate relief of symptoms. They can be used on their own or as an addition to other treatments, such as CBT for anxiety.
There are several different types of benzos, each with different potency, duration of action, and absorption rate by the body. There is a connection between the length of time a benzo is used for and its potential to be misused, so shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are generally preferred.
Taking natural treatment for anxiety with other drugs such as sedatives alcohol or opioid painkillers can increase the risk of harmful adverse effects. These interactions can also intensify the effects of drugs and lead to an overdose or even death. Benzodiazepines can also interact with certain food items and herbs. It is crucial to inform your pharmacist and doctor if you are taking benzos or planning to take other medications.
When a person uses benzodiazepines long-term, their brain is dependent on them to function normally. This is referred to as physical dependence, and it can trigger several symptoms like withdrawal, tolerance and craving. This type of dependency is different from addiction that is an uncontrollable, compulsive need to take the substances.
When used correctly When used properly, benzodiazepines can be extremely effective and cause few adverse effects. They should only be used as a treatment when other options have failed or are not feasible. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mediation are non-drug methods to manage anxiety.