Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can conduct tests to determine if there are underlying medical conditions that could trigger anxiety attacks. They can also teach you how to manage your symptoms.
Treatments for anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as other forms of psychotherapy are efficient. However, they may take time to work. Benzodiazepines are an in-between treatment to treat severe anxiety.
Medications
If psychotherapy isn't sufficient to combat anxiety disorders, medication is a possibility. The medications can aid in managing anxiety attacks by addressing the chemical imbalance that causes these attacks. Antidepressants, tranquilizers and sedatives are all anxiety-related medications. Talk to your doctor about the most effective medication for you.
Your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms and family history when choosing the right anxiety treatment for you. They will also take into consideration your other health conditions and any medication you are taking. They may recommend cognitive behavior therapy or a combination psychotherapy and medication. Other treatments that are utilized to reduce anxiety include exposure therapy, biofeedback and stress management techniques.
The most popular antidepressants used to treat anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). They reduce symptoms by correcting an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters that regulate mood. These include citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants work similar to SSRIs but with less negative side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should begin at a small dose and gradually increasing as time passes. Certain medications, like birth control pills, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen can interact with tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines are a fast-acting medication that can be prescribed to treat a severe anxiety attack. They focus on GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, creating an calming effect. They are usually prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder, and anxiety disorders. Because they can be addictive and can cause withdrawal, benzodiazepines should only be used for a limited period of time. They also lose their effectiveness if taken for longer than 4 weeks at a time.
Alprazolam and clonazepam are other medications that can be prescribed when benzodiazepines aren't an option. These medications can be beneficial in treating panic attacks however, they're not as efficient as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. They can also be addictive and may disrupt your sleep cycle.
It's crucial to be honest with your doctor regarding your symptoms and how the medication is effective for you. Ask for regular follow-ups 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 by specific Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota policies. These online services allow you to consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist on your phone or computer.
Cognitive therapy for behavior
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular treatment for anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks. It is a proven therapy that targets both the thoughts and actions that cause anxiety. The therapist will help you to recognize your negative thoughts or patterns of thinking and replace them with healthier ones. The therapist can also assist you to change your behavior by showing you how to deal with anxiety-related symptoms. These techniques include breathing exercise along with progressive muscle relaxation, as well as exposure therapy. Therapists may also assign you tasks to complete between sessions. For instance, you could track your anxiety levels, or doing an activity you've avoided because of it.
People with panic disorder are often plagued by avoidance behaviors that are based on the fear that they'll have another panic attack. Avoiding situations that can cause anxiety, such as crowded malls, elevators, or highway driving is a way to prevent this. These avoidance behaviors can have a significant impact on the quality of life. This type of anxiety can cause problems like difficulty concentrating at work, depression and even substance abuse.
The root of panic disorders is believed to be a result of a combination between genetics and environment factors. Stressful life events like moving into a new residence or the loss of the loss of a loved one are frequent triggers. Certain genes may increase the risk of anxiety disorders.
The aim of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help you learn to manage your anxieties and improve your overall quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, unlike medication treats the root of the problem and assists you in developing coping skills that will be helpful in the future.
This kind of therapy may be difficult to begin with although it is effective in treating a wide variety of anxiety disorders. You may need to attend therapy sessions for several weeks before feeling better. There may be some setbacks, such as an increase in your symptoms however this is normal. It is important to persevere and remember 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, assists individuals identify unhealthy thoughts and emotions that could trigger panic attacks or increase their severity. 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 skills. It also helps people learn to overcome their fears of certain situations. It is essential to stick to the treatment plan. Attending weekly therapy sessions regularly can make a patient improve their condition in 10 to 20 weeks.
Exposure therapy is one of the techniques in CBT that involves repeatedly facing your fear triggers. The therapist will develop a plan that exposes you to your fears within a controlled and safe environment. They can use in vivo exposure (real life) which is where you are exposed to your fears in a real-world setting, or virtual reality, in which you are exposed to your fears in a simulated environment. In vivo exposure is the most effective for certain phobias. The therapist will gradually expose your fears to you until it is less significant.
This therapy may be very intense. It may be characterized by flooding, in which you are subjected to a frightening situation for a long period of time. It can also include psychoeducation, cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's used in almost all major anxiety disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It's also helpful for anxiety related to social situations.
It's important to find a specialist who is experienced in exposure therapy. Find a doctor who is registered in an association or network that treats anxiety disorders. Reading reviews is also a great idea. You may also request an appointment from your doctor to an expert. You can join a support group for people suffering from anxiety. You can lower anxiety by staying physically active and using relaxation methods. Avoid drinking, recreational drugs and smoking, which can all cause anxiety or make it worse. Stress can also cause anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are also known 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 an extended duration. This is why they are generally prescribed for the short-term relief of severe anxiety or sleeplessness.
They work by reducing the nervous system, causing relaxation and sedation. They can be consumed orally as tablets, liquids or sprays and can also be injected into a vein. Benzos can be used to treat panic disorder, insomnia and generalised anxiety disorders. They are particularly useful for those suffering from 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 like CBT.
There are a variety of different kinds of benzodiazepines, which differ in terms of their potency, length of action and the speed at which the body absorbs them. There is an association between the length of time a benzo used for and its potential to be misused, which is why shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are often preferred.
When you take benzodiazepines in conjunction with other drugs such as sedatives alcohol or opioid painkillers can increase the risk of dangerous side effects. These interactions can also enhance the effects of the drug and could result in an overdose or death. In the same way, benzodiazepines may interact with certain herbs or foods. It is essential to inform your physician and pharmacist that you are taking benzos or planning to take other medicines.
When a person uses benzodiazepines over a long period of time their brain is dependent on them to function normally. This is referred to as physical dependence and can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as withdrawal, tolerance and a craving. This type of dependency is different from addiction that is an uncontrollable, compulsive need to take the drugs.
Benzodiazepines are very effective and have few negative effects when employed in the right way. However, they should only be considered as a treatment option in cases where alternatives to drugs have not proven successful or aren't feasible. Non-drug approaches to anxiety management include meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy.