Panic Attack Treatment

By Waheed Lamidi

The real reason for panic attacks is still not fully understood but the thing which is understood is that this can happen to anyone, devoid of any purpose, regardless of age meaning a perfectly healthy person has an equal possibility of experiencing such an attack as a person who is depressed and unhealthy. An episode of panic attack can happen when you are at your house, sitting on your recliner, watching television, when driving, browsing or walking, at your office, etc., and can actually occur while you are asleep.

In these circumstances, methods of treatment could change from individual to individual, dependent upon their physical condition, ailments, lifestyle, and frequency of attacks. Generally though, therapy involves psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or meds though other treatments that can be used are meditation, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and herbal treatment.

Anti-anxiety medicines like Ativan, Xanax and Klonopin supply fast respite from the panic attack symptoms. Benzodiazepines render instant results, normally within 30 minutes to an hour, these however are, highly addictive and feature some intense withdrawal side effects. Anti-depressant drugs (Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, and Celexa) ought to be taken continuously before you begin to notice the results, normally around six months or even a year but, you can't use anti-depressant drugs only in an attack. In addition, since you cannot anticipate when you will have that kind of an attack, just the ones that are diagnosed with the panic disorder (or constant attacks can obtain these sorts of medications.

Panic attacks, as well as panic disorder, agoraphobia and other phobias and similar ailments may be addressed efficiently using psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is proven as an effective way to lower the symptoms of these attacks or eliminate this condition. CBT specializes in changing the thinking pattern of the person from negative thoughts to positive thoughts in addition to changing the way in which an individual functions or acts as he runs into emergency or circumstances that can set off a panic attack.

Another intervention similar to CTB which is worth mentioning is exposure therapy which aids the individual in overcoming their dread though permitting them to confront those fearful situations in a controlled and secure way. The end result of the method is that the person learns how to act positively on the things he believes are perilous circumstances - more specifically, through this experience, the patient learns that the circumstances that he is afraid of aren't detrimental and dangerous.

In many cases, medication alone or therapy alone is enough to completely cure this ailment, however different cases call for both treatment techniques to adequately treat panic complaint. Meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxation methods were found to be efficient in lowering the odds of encountering an additional panic attack as they help calm the mind and relax the muscles. Constantly doing those routines and methods will strengthen the body's relaxation response.

Natural herbs such as bacopin, ginkgo biloba, passion flower, St. John Wort, hyperforin, 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), chamomile, rhodiola, are almost as efficient since they have organic anti-stress features. In some cases, utilizing those herbs is sufficient enough to combat attacks and lots of individuals react positively utilizing that kind of treatment. Fresh leaves could be turned into tea with some available OTC in oil, infusion, capsule, powder and tea. The best thing about those organic herbs is that they do not yield any side effects when held in comparison to standard anti anxiety and anti depressant prescription meds. - 30437

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here