Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can run tests to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions which may cause anxiety attacks. They may also be able to teach you how to manage your symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and other types of psychotherapy are effective treatments for anxiety. However, they may take time to work. Benzodiazepines are an in-between treatment for anxiety that is severe.
Medicines
If psychotherapy isn't enough to combat anxiety disorders, medication may be prescribed. The medication can help control anxiety attacks by addressing the chemical imbalance that causes anxiety attacks. Anxiety medications include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and sedatives. Speak to your doctor to determine the most effective medication for you.
When deciding on the most effective anxiety treatment for you, your doctor will take into consideration your symptoms and your family background. They will also take into consideration your other health conditions and any medication you are taking. They might recommend cognitive behavior therapy or a combination therapy and medication. Biofeedback, exposure therapy, and techniques for managing stress are other options that are effective for anxiety.
The most popular antidepressants used to treat anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications reduce symptoms by resolving an imbalance in brain neurotransmitters that regulate mood. These include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants function in the same way as SSRIs but with less negative side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should begin at a small dose and gradually increasing over time. They can interact with specific medications, such as birth control pills, acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.
Benzodiazepines are fast-acting medications that can be prescribed to treat a severe anxiety attack. treating anxiety (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, which causes a calming affect. They are generally prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder, and phobias. Because they are a source of addiction and addictive, benzodiazepines should be used for a limited duration. They also lose their effectiveness if they are used for more than 4 weeks at a time.
If benzodiazepines don't work alternative sedatives are prescribed, such as alprazolam or clonazepam. These drugs are effective in treating panic attacks but not as efficient as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs can also be addictive, and may interfere with your sleep cycle.
It is important to communicate with your physician about your symptoms and how your medication is working for you. Ask for regular follow-ups and inform them of how you're managing your symptoms. You can also utilize Telehealth services like Doctor On Demand which is covered under certain Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota policies. These online services let you consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist on your phone or computer.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a preferred treatment for anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks. It is a proven treatment that addresses both the behaviors and thoughts that contribute to anxiety. The therapist can teach you to recognize your negative cognitions or patterns of thought, and replace them with more positive ones. Additionally the therapist can assist you change your behavior by teaching you new techniques to manage the symptoms of anxiety. These techniques include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. The therapist may provide you with homework assignments to do during sessions, such as recording your anxiety or engaging in a task that you've avoided because of it (like talking to strangers at a gathering).
People with panic disorder are usually prone to avoidance behaviors. This is due to fear of another panic attack. This could be avoided in situations that are likely to trigger anxiety, such as crowds in shopping malls, elevators, highway driving or walking on their own. Avoidance behaviors can have a a significant impact on your life quality. This type of anxiety can lead to problems such as difficulty concentrating at work, depression, and even abuse of substances.
It is thought that panic disorders are caused by an interaction of genetics and environmental factors. Stressful life events such as moving to a new house or the loss of a loved one, are common triggers for these disorders. Certain genes can also increase the risk of anxiety disorders.
The purpose of cognitive behavior therapy is to help you learn to face anxiety and improve your overall quality of life. Unlike medication that treat only the symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavior therapy addresses the root causes of the disorder and helps you develop strategies to cope that will be helpful in the future.
While this type of therapy can be effective for many anxiety disorders however, it can be a challenge initially. You may need to attend therapy sessions for several weeks before you feel better. You might have some setbacks, such as the severity of your symptoms getting worse but this is not unusual. The key is to remain with it and keep in mind that your efforts will pay off.
Exposure therapy
Psychotherapy and medication are two of the many treatment options available for those suffering from anxiety. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) helps a person recognize and alter unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors that trigger or worsen panic attacks. This kind of treatment consists of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a technique that teaches people how to change negative patterns and build more effective coping strategies. It teaches people to overcome their fear in certain situations. It is essential to stick to an established treatment program. Making it a habit to attend weekly therapy sessions can make a patient improve their condition in 10 to 20 weeks.
CBT utilizes exposure therapy to help you face your fears repeatedly. The therapist will create plans to expose you to your fears in a safe and controlled environment. In the real world (real life) exposure is used, in which you face your fears in the real world, or virtual reality where you confront your fears in a virtual space. In vivo exposure is most effective for certain phobias. The therapist will gradually expose you to your fears until it is less severe.
The treatment can be extremely intense. It could involve a flood in which you are exposed for a long period of time to a situation that causes anxiety. It may also involve psychoeducation, cognitive processing, and behavioral therapy. It is used in nearly all major anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It's also beneficial in easing social anxiety.
It's crucial to find a specialist with experience in exposure therapy. Choose someone who is a member of an organization or network that treats anxiety disorders. It's recommended to check for reviews. You can also ask for a referral from your doctor to a specialist. You can join a support group for people suffering from anxiety. You can reduce anxiety by being physically active and utilizing relaxation techniques. Avoid drinking, recreational drugs and smoking, which can all cause anxiety or make it worse. Overworking yourself can also increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also known as benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well. However they are addictive and can cause severe side effects if they are taken regularly or for long periods of time. This is the reason they are typically prescribed for the short-term relief of extreme anxiety or insomnia.
They work by slowing the nervous system and causing the body to relax. Orally, they can be taken as liquids, sprays or tablets. They can also be injecting directly into the vein. Benzos are used to treat generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder and insomnia. They are especially beneficial for patients who are experiencing panic attacks as they can provide immediate and effective symptomatic relief. They can be used on their own or as an addition to other treatments, for instance CBT for anxiety.
There are many different types of benzodiazepines that differ in terms of their potency, length of action and how quickly the body absorbs the drugs. There is a correlation between the length of a benzo's treatment and the likelihood of it being misused. The benzodiazepines that have a shorter duration of action like alprazolam are usually preferred.
Combining benzodiazepines with other medications like sedatives, opioid painkillers or alcohol can increase the risk of dangerous adverse side effects. These interactions can also intensify drug effects and result in the death or overdose. Benzodiazepines also interact with certain food items and herbal products. It is crucial to inform your physician and pharmacist that you are taking benzos, or intend to take other medications.
When a person takes benzodiazepines over a long period of time the brain becomes dependent on it for functioning 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 distinct from addiction, which involves an uncontrollable, compulsive desire to take the drug.
Benzodiazepines are very effective and have few negative effects when used appropriately. They should only be used as a treatment when other alternatives have failed or aren't feasible. Alternative methods to manage anxiety include cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation.