Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can conduct tests to identify underlying medical conditions that can trigger anxiety attacks. They may also be able to teach you how to manage your symptoms.
Treatments for anxiety like cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of psychotherapy are effective. They may take a while to be effective. Benzodiazepines are effective short-term medications for severe anxiety.
Medicines
If psychotherapy isn't enough to treat anxiety disorders, medication can be prescribed. The drugs address the underlying imbalance of chemicals that causes the symptoms of an anxiety attack and can assist in managing the symptoms. Sedatives, tranquilizers, and antidepressants are all anxiety-related medications. Consult your physician to find out the best medication for you.
Your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms and family history when choosing the right anxiety treatment for you. They will also consider your other medical conditions and the medications you are taking. They might recommend cognitive behavioral therapy or the combination of psychotherapy and medication. Exposure therapy, biofeedback, and stress management techniques are all other options that can be used for anxiety.
The most common antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications work by correcting the imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain that regulates mood. These include citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants are another type of antidepressant that function exactly the same way as SSRIs do, but have fewer adverse effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should be started 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 a fast-acting medication that can be prescribed to treat severe anxiety attack. These medications target gamma-aminobutryic acid, or GABA, in the brain to cause an calming effect. These drugs are prescribed to treat panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, and fears. Benzodiazepines are only recommended for short-term use because they can be addictive. They also lose their effectiveness if they are taken for more than 4 weeks.
When benzodiazepines aren't an option alternative sedatives are prescribed, like alprazolam or Clonazepam. These medications are effective in treating panic attacks but not as effective as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. They can also be addictive and can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Suggested Looking at is important to openly communicate with your doctor regarding your symptoms and how the medication is effective for you. Request regular follow-up visits and let them know how you are managing your symptoms. 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 let you visit with a psychiatrist or psychologist using your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
The preferred treatment for anxiety disorders and panic attacks is cognitive behavior therapy. It is a proven treatment that addresses both the behaviors and thoughts that contribute to anxiety. The therapist will assist you to identify negative cognitions or thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. Additionally the therapist will assist you to change your behavior by teaching you new techniques to manage the symptoms of anxiety. These techniques include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. Therapists can also give you homework activities to do between sessions, like tracking your anxiety or engaging in an activity that you've been avoiding because of it (like talking to strangers at a gathering).
People who have panic disorder often suffer from avoidance behaviors, which are motivated by the fear they will have another panic attack. This could include avoiding 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 significant effects on your overall quality of life. This type of anxiety may cause problems such as difficulty concentrating at the workplace and depression, as well as alcohol abuse.
It is believed that panic disorders are caused by the combination of genetics and environmental factors. Stressful life events like moving into a new home or the death a loved one are common triggers. Some genes may also increase the risk of anxiety disorders.
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help you learn to manage your anxieties and improve your overall quality of life. In contrast to medications that only treat symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy targets the root causes of anxiety and assists you in developing strategies for coping that can help in the future.
This kind of therapy can be difficult to start although it is effective in treating a broad variety of anxiety disorders. You may have to attend therapy sessions for a few weeks before feeling better. It is normal to have some difficulties. It is crucial to stay positive and keep in mind that you will reap the rewards of your efforts.
Exposure therapy
There are a variety of treatment options for anxiety attacks, including psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) helps a person recognize and alter unhealthy emotions, thoughts and actions that cause or exacerbate anxiety attacks. This type of treatment usually includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to alter negative patterns and develop better coping strategies. It also teaches people how to overcome their fears of certain situations. It is important to stick to a plan of treatment. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions will help patients improve their condition in 10 to 20 weeks.
CBT utilizes exposure therapy to help you confront your fears repeatedly. The therapist will develop a plan that exposes your fears in an environment that is safe and controlled. In the real world (real life) exposure is used where you face your fears in the real world or virtual reality where you face your fear in a virtual space. In vivo is ideal for specific fears. The therapist gradually exposes you to the fear until it is less threatening.
The treatment can be extremely intense. It can involve flooding in which you are exposed for a long time to a situation that creates anxiety. It could also involve psychoeducation, cognitive processing, and behavioral therapy. It's utilized in all of the major anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also works in easing social anxiety.
It's important to find a doctor who is experienced in exposure therapy. Choose someone who is registered in an organization or network that deals with anxiety disorders. Reviewing reviews is a great idea. You can also ask for an appointment from your doctor to a specialist. You can even join an organization that helps people suffering from anxiety. Engaging in physical activity and using relaxation techniques can also aid in reducing anxiety. Avoid drinking or recreational drugs, and smoking as they can all cause anxiety or increase it. Stress can also cause anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are also referred to as benzos, are potent medication that treat anxiety effectively. They can be addictive, and have severe side effects if taken frequently or for a long duration. They are only prescribed to ease extreme insomnia or anxiety for a short time.
They work by slowing the nervous system and causes an increase in sedation. They can be taken orally, and taken in the form of sprays, liquids or tablets. They can be injecting directly into the vein. Benzos can be used to treat insomnia, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorders. They are especially useful for patients who are suffering from anxiety attacks that are severe because they can offer quick efficient and immediate relief of symptoms. They can be prescribed as a standalone treatment or as an adjunct to other treatments, such as CBT.
There are a variety of benzos, each possessing a different potency in terms of duration of action, and rate of absorption by the body. There is an association between the duration of time a benzo is used for and its potential to be misused, so shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are often preferred.
When you take benzodiazepines in conjunction with other drugs like sedatives, alcohol, or opioid painkillers could increase the risk of negative adverse side effects. These interactions can also intensify drug effects and result in an overdose or even death. Benzodiazepines can also interact with certain food items and herbal products. If you are taking a benzo, it is essential to inform your physician and pharmacist of any other medicines you are taking or plan to take.
When a person is using benzodiazepines over a long period of 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 dependence is different from addiction, which is a compulsive and uncontrollable need to use the drug.
Benzodiazepines are very effective and have few adverse effects when they are utilized in a proper manner. They should only be used 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.