Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can conduct tests to check for underlying medical conditions that can cause anxiety attacks. They can also help to understand strategies to manage your anxiety.
Treatments for anxiety such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of psychotherapy are effective. They may take time to be effective. Benzodiazepines can be used as an emergency medication for anxiety that is severe.
Medicines
If psychotherapy isn't enough, medications may be prescribed for those suffering from anxiety disorders. The medication can help control anxiety attacks by addressing the underlying chemical imbalance that causes these attacks. Sedatives, tranquilizers, and antidepressants are all anxiety-related medications. Talk with your doctor about the best medication for you.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms and family history when choosing the right anxiety treatment for you. They will also consider your other health conditions and medications you are taking. They may suggest cognitive behavior therapy or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Other treatments that can be utilized to reduce anxiety include biofeedback, exposure therapy and stress management techniques.
SSRIs are the most common antidepressants prescribed to treat anxiety. They work by reversing the imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain that controls mood. These include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Other antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants that function the same way SSRIs do however they have less negative side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants are started with a small dose and slowly increasing as time passes. Certain medications, including birth control pills, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can interact with tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for severe anxiety attacks. These medications focus on GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, causing an calming effect. They are typically used to treat panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines should only be used for short-term use as they can be addictive. They also lose effectiveness when they are used for more than 4 weeks.
Alprazolam and clonazepam are also sedatives that can be prescribed when benzodiazepines aren't an option. These medications are effective in treating panic attacks but not as efficient as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. These medications can also be addictive, and can disrupt your sleep cycle.
It's important to communicate openly with your doctor regarding your symptoms and how the medication is effective for you. Let them know about other methods you're using to manage your symptoms, and ask for regular check-ups. You can also make use of Telehealth services like Doctor On Demand which is covered under certain Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota policies. These online services allow you to consult with psychologists or psychiatrists on your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular treatment for anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks. It is a proven treatment that targets both the thoughts and actions that cause anxiety. The therapist can help you to identify your negative thoughts, or thinking patterns, and replace them with more positive ones. The therapist can also assist you improve your behavior by teaching you how to cope with anxiety-related symptoms. These techniques include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. The therapist may also give you homework to do between sessions. For example, tracking your anxiety levels, or doing something you've stayed away from because of it.
People suffering from panic disorder are usually inclined to avoidance behavior. This is due to the fear of another panic attack. Avoiding situations that can trigger anxiety such as crowds in malls, elevators or highway driving is one way to prevent this. Avoidance behaviors can have a huge impact on the quality of life. This kind of anxiety could result in problems like problems with concentration at work, depression, and even abuse of substances.
It is believed that panic disorders are caused by a combination of environmental and genetic causes. Life events that stress us like moving to a different house or the loss of a loved one are common triggers for these conditions. Certain genes can also increase the risk of anxiety disorders.
Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to help you deal with your fears, and improve the quality of your life. Unlike medication that treat only the symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy addresses the root causes of anxiety and assists you in developing coping mechanisms that will be beneficial in the future.
This type of therapy can be challenging to begin with even though it's effective in treating a wide range of anxiety disorders. You may need to attend therapy sessions for a few weeks before you feel better. It is normal to have some difficulties. The key is to remain with it and keep in mind that your efforts will pay off.
Therapy for exposure
Psychotherapy and medication are two of the many treatment options available for anxiety attacks. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) helps a person recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors that trigger or exacerbate panic attacks. This type of treatment usually includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps individuals to change their negative habits and develop better coping strategies. It also teaches people how to overcome their fear of certain situations. It's important to stick with the treatment plan. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions can help a patient feel better in 10-20 weeks.
Exposure therapy is a method in CBT that involves repeatedly confronting your fears and triggers. The therapist will devise an approach that exposes your fears in a controlled and safe environment. In vivo (real life) exposure is used, where you confront your fears in the real world or in virtual reality, where you face your fear in a virtual environment. In vivo exposure is more effective for certain phobias. The therapist will gradually expose you to the fear until it is less severe.
This therapy may be very intense. It could involve flooding, in which you are exposed to a threatening situation for a long duration. It may also involve psychoeducation, cognitive processing and behavioral therapy. It's used in almost all major anxiety disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It's also beneficial for anxiety related to social situations.
It is important to locate a specialist who is familiar with exposure therapy. Choose someone who is registered with an organization or network that is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. It is recommended to read reviews. You may also ask your physician for an appointment with a specialist. You can join a support group that is for people suffering from anxiety. Being physically active and utilizing relaxation techniques can help to reduce anxiety. Avoid alcohol and recreational drug use and smoking, as they can all cause anxiety or worsen it. It's also a good idea not to overload yourself, as this could increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are also referred to as benzos, are powerful medications which treat anxiety very effectively. They can be addictive, and can cause serious side effects when used regularly or for a long duration. This is why they are typically prescribed for short-term relief of extreme anxiety or insomnia.
They function by reducing the nervous system, causing sedation and relaxing muscles. They can be taken orally, and taken in the form of sprays, liquids or tablets. They can be directly injected into veins. Benzos can be used to treat panic disorder, insomnia, and generalised anxiety disorder. They are especially beneficial for patients who are experiencing a panic attack, as they can provide immediate and effective relief from symptoms. They can be used as a stand-alone treatment or as an adjunct with other treatments such as CBT.
There are a variety of different kinds of benzodiazepines that differ in terms of their potency, duration of action and the speed at which the body absorbs them. There is an association between the length of time a benzo is employed for and its tendency to be misused. Therefore, shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are often preferred.
Taking benzodiazepines with other drugs like 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. In the same way, benzodiazepines may interact with certain foods or herbs. If you are taking a benzo, it is important to inform your doctor and pharmacist of any other medicines you are taking or planning to take.
When a person is using benzodiazepines for a long time the brain becomes dependent on them to function normally. This is known as physical dependence and can lead to a variety of symptoms, including withdrawal, tolerance, and craving. This kind of dependence is different from addiction that is an uncontrollable, compulsive need to take the substances.
When properly used, benzodiazepines can be very efficient and have minimal adverse reactions. They should only be considered as a treatment option when other options have failed or aren't feasible. Non-drug methods of anxiety management include cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation.