Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can run tests to determine if there are underlying medical conditions which may cause anxiety attacks. They can also help to understand strategies to manage your anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy as well as other forms of psychotherapy are effective treatments for anxiety. They can take some time to take effect. Benzodiazepines are effective short-term medications for people suffering from severe anxiety.
Medicines
When psychotherapy alone isn't enough for you, medication can be prescribed to patients suffering from anxiety disorders. The medication addresses the root imbalance of chemical that causes the symptoms of an anxiety attack and can assist in managing anxiety attacks. Sedatives, tranquilizers, and antidepressants are all anxiety-related medications. Speak to your doctor to determine the best medication for you.
drugs to treat anxiety will consider your symptoms and your family history when deciding on the best anxiety treatment for you. They will also take into consideration your other health conditions and any medications you take. They may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy or the combination of psychotherapy and medications. Biofeedback, exposure therapy, and stress management techniques are all other treatments that can be utilized to treat anxiety.
SSRIs are the most common antidepressants prescribed to treat anxiety. These medications ease symptoms by resolving an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters that control mood. These include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants work similar to SSRIs but with less adverse effects. Tricyclic antidepressants start with a small dose and slowly increased as time passes. Certain medications, like birth control pills, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can interact with tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines can be prescribed for severe anxiety attacks. They target GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, which causes the brain to relax. They are typically prescribed 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 reduce their effectiveness if used for more than 4 weeks at each time.
Alprazolam and Clonazepam are two other sedatives that are available when benzodiazepines aren't an option. These medications can be beneficial in the treatment of panic attacks, but they aren't as effective as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs are also addictive and interfere with your sleep cycle.
It is important to openly communicate with your physician about your symptoms and how the medication is working for you. Ask for regular follow-ups and let them know how you're managing your symptoms. You could also try online health services, such as Doctor On Demand, which is covered by a variety of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans. These online services allow you to consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist via your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the preferred treatment for anxiety disorders, including panic attacks. It is a proven treatment that addresses both the thoughts and actions which contribute to anxiety. The therapist will help you identify negative cognitions or thinking patterns and replace them with more positive ones. The therapist will also help you to change your behavior by showing you how to deal with anxiety-related symptoms. These techniques include breathing exercises along with progressive muscle relaxation, as well as exposure therapy. The therapist may also give you tasks to complete between sessions. For instance, keeping track of your anxiety levels or doing something you've stayed away from because of it.
People suffering from panic disorder are usually prone to avoidance behaviors. This is because they fear another panic attack. This may be avoided in situations that are likely to trigger anxiety, such as crowded shopping malls or elevators, driving on highways or walking on their own. These avoidance behaviors may have significant effects on your quality of life. This kind of anxiety could result in issues such as difficulty concentrating at the workplace, depression, or even substance abuse.
It is believed that panic disorders are caused by the combination of environmental and genetic causes. Stressful life events such as moving into a new house or the death the loss of a loved one are frequent triggers. It is also possible that some genes increase the chance of developing anxiety disorders.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to teach you how to overcome your fears and improve the quality of your life. Contrary to medication that only treat symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy addresses the root causes of the disorder and helps you develop strategies for coping that can be beneficial in the future.
This kind of therapy may be difficult to begin with even though it's effective in treating a broad variety of anxiety disorders. You will probably have to attend sessions for a couple of weeks before you start to feel better. There may be some hiccups, such as an increase in your symptoms however this is normal. It is important to persevere and keep in mind that you will reap the benefits of your efforts.
Therapy for exposure
Psychotherapy and medication are two of the many treatment options available for anxiety attacks. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, aids individuals identify unhealthy thoughts and emotions that can cause anxiety attacks or cause them to worsen. This type of treatment usually includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches individuals to change their negative habits and develop better coping strategies. It teaches people to overcome their fears in certain situations. It is crucial to adhere to a treatment plan. Attending weekly therapy sessions regularly can help a patient get better within 10-20 weeks.
Exposure therapy is one of the techniques in CBT that involves repeatedly facing your fear triggers. The therapist will develop plans to expose you to your fears in a safe and controlled environment. They can use in live exposure (real life), 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 fully immersive setting. In vivo is best for specific fears. The therapist gradually exposes you to the fear until it is less severe.
This therapy can be intense. It may include flooding, where you are exposed to a fear-inducing situation for a long duration. It may also involve psychoeducation, cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It is used to treat a variety of major anxiety disorders including post-traumatic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It's also helpful for social anxiety.
It's crucial to locate a professional with exposure therapy experience. It is important to choose a specialist who is a member of a national organization or network which deals with anxiety disorders. It's also a good idea to look up reviews. You may also ask your physician for the recommendation of a specialist. You can join an online support group for people suffering from anxiety. You can reduce anxiety by being physically active and utilizing relaxation techniques. Avoid alcohol, recreational drugs and smoking, which could all cause anxiety or make it worse. Overworking yourself can also increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are also referred to as benzos, are powerful medications which treat anxiety very efficiently. They can be addictive and have serious side effects when used frequently or for a long period of time. They are only prescribed to relieve severe anxiety or insomnia for a short period of time.
They work by slowing the nervous system and causing sedation. They can be consumed orally as tablets, liquids or sprays. They can also be injected into veins. Benzos can be used to treat insomnia, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorders. They are especially useful when a patient is suffering from a major panic attack because they provide quick effective and immediate relief from symptoms. They can be used on their own or as an addition to other treatments, for instance CBT for anxiety.
There are many different kinds of benzos, each having different effectiveness, duration of action, and absorption rate by the body. There is a correlation between the length of a benzo's usage and the possibility of being misused. The benzodiazepines that have a shorter duration of action, such as alprazolam are generally preferred.
When you take benzodiazepines in conjunction with other drugs like sedatives, alcohol or opioid painkillers can increase the risk of negative side effects. These interactions can also increase the effects of drugs, leading to an overdose or death. Additionally, benzodiazepines can interact with certain foods or herbs. If you are taking a benzo, then it is essential to inform your doctor and pharmacist of any other medicines you are taking or planning to take.
When a person is using benzodiazepines long-term, their brain is dependent on them to function normally. This is referred to as physical dependence and it can trigger various symptoms, including tolerance, withdrawal, and craving. This kind of dependence is different from addiction that is characterized by an uncontrollable and a compulsive need to take the substances.
When properly used when used correctly, benzodiazepines are extremely effective and cause a few side effects. They should only be used as a treatment option when other options have failed or are not feasible. Non-drug approaches to anxiety management include meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy.