Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor may run tests to identify underlying medical conditions that can trigger anxiety attacks. They can also help you to understand strategies to manage your anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy as well as other forms of psychotherapy can be effective treatments for anxiety. They may take time to be effective. Benzodiazepines can be utilized as an emergency medication to treat severe anxiety.
Medications
If psychotherapy alone isn't enough for you, medication can 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 anxiety attacks. Antidepressants, tranquilizers, and sedatives are all anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor to determine the best medication for you.
Your doctor will take into consideration your symptoms and your family history when choosing the right anxiety treatment for you. They will also look at your other medical conditions and the medications you are taking. They may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Biofeedback, exposure therapy and stress management techniques are all other methods that are effective for anxiety.
The most commonly used antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications work by correcting an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain that controls mood. They include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Other antidepressants are tricyclic antidepressants that function similar to SSRIs however they have less side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should begin in a small amount and gradually increasing in time. Certain medications, such as birth control pills, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can interact with tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines are fast-acting medications that can be prescribed to treat severe anxiety attack. These drugs target gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, in the brain to produce a calming effect. They are generally used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, and fears. 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 taken for more than 4 weeks.
If benzodiazepines aren't a viable option Other sedatives may be prescribed, such as alprazolam or clonazepam. These medications are effective in treating panic attacks, but not as effective as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. They are also addicting and can disrupt your sleep cycle.
It is important to openly communicate with your doctor regarding your symptoms and how the medication is working for you. Make sure you have regular check-ups and let them know how you are managing your symptoms. You can also consider online health services, such as Doctor On Demand, which is covered by some Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans. These online services let you visit psychologists or psychiatrists using your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive therapy for behavior
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a preferred treatment for anxiety disorders, which includes panic attacks. It is a well-established treatment that targets both the thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety. The therapist will help you recognize negative thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. In addition, the therapist will help you change your behavior by teaching you new strategies to manage the symptoms of anxiety. These techniques include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. Therapists can provide you with homework assignments to do between sessions, like monitoring your anxiety or engaging in an activity you've been avoiding because of it (like talking to strangers at a party).
People suffering from panic disorder are often susceptible to avoidance behaviors. This is because they fear another panic attack. Avoiding situations that can trigger anxiety like crowded malls, elevators or driving is a method to avoid this. These avoidance behaviors may have a significant impact on your overall quality of life. This kind of anxiety could cause problems like difficulty concentrating at work, depression and even substance abuse.
The reason for panic disorders is believed to be a combination between environmental factors and genetics. Stressful life events, such as moving to a new home or the death of a loved one are typical triggers for these conditions. It is also possible that some genes are associated with a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders.
Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to teach you how to overcome your fears and improve the quality of your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in contrast to medication, addresses the root causes and assists you in developing coping skills that will be helpful in the future.
This type of therapy can be difficult to start, even though it is effective in treating a wide range of anxiety disorders. It is likely that you will require therapy for several weeks before you begin to feel better. It is normal to experience some setbacks. The most important thing is to stay with it and keep in mind that your efforts will pay off.
Therapy for exposure
There are many treatments for anxiety attacks, including psychotherapy and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, assists people identify negative emotions and thoughts that can trigger panic attacks or worsen them. This type of treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method that teaches people how to change negative patterns and develop more effective coping skills. It also teaches people to overcome their fears of certain situations. It is essential to stick to an established treatment plan. Attending weekly therapy sessions regularly will help patients feel better in 10-20 weeks.
Exposure therapy is one of the techniques in CBT that involves repeatedly facing your fears that trigger. The therapist will devise plans to expose you to your fears within an environment that is controlled and secure. 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 the most effective for certain phobias. The therapist gradually exposes you to the fear until it becomes less severe.
This therapy may be very intense. It could involve flooding, in which you are subjected to a frightening circumstance for a lengthy duration. It could also involve psychoeducation, cognitive processing and behavioral therapy. It's used in almost all of the major anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It's also effective for anxiety related to social situations.
It is essential to find an expert who is experienced in exposure therapy. It is important to choose a specialist who is registered with a national organization or network that deals with anxiety disorders. It is an excellent idea to check for reviews. You can also ask for an appointment from your doctor to an expert. You can join a support group that is specifically designed for those suffering from anxiety. Engaging in physical activity and using relaxation techniques can aid in reducing anxiety. Avoid drinking and recreational drug use and smoking as they can cause anxiety or even make it worse. Overworking social anxiety disorder treatment can increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are powerful medications which treat anxiety well. However they can be addictive and cause severe side effects if they are taken frequently or over a long period of time. They are therefore only prescribed to alleviate insomnia or extreme anxiety for a brief period of time.
They work by reducing the nervous system, causing sedation and relaxing muscles. Orally, they can be taken as liquids, sprays or tablets. They can be injecting directly into the vein. Benzos are used for treating generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia. They are particularly effective when a patient is experiencing an intense panic attack as they can provide rapid effective and immediate symptomatic relief. They can be prescribed on their own or as an addition to other treatments, like CBT for anxiety.
There are many different kinds of benzos, each with different potency, duration of action, and absorption rate by the body. There is a link between the duration of a benzo's use and the possibility of being misused. These benzodiazepines with shorter acting times like alprazolam are generally preferred.
Benzodiazepines may cause adverse side effects when combined with other drugs such as sedatives or opioid painkillers. These interactions can also increase the effects of drugs, leading to an overdose or even death. Benzodiazepines also interact with certain food items and herbal products. If you are taking a benzo, it's essential to inform your physician and pharmacist of any other medication you are taking or planning to take.
When a person is using benzodiazepines for a long time, their brain is dependent on them to function normally. This is known as physical dependence and it can cause a number of symptoms including tolerance, withdrawal and craving. This type of dependency is different from addiction that is an uncontrollable, addictive need to take drugs.
Benzodiazepines are very effective and exhibit no adverse effects when used appropriately. However, they should only be considered as a treatment option if alternatives to drugs have not proven successful or aren't feasible. Non-drug methods of anxiety management include meditation and cognitive behavior therapy.