Panic Attacks - Anxiety and Panic Attack Treatment Options

By Greg Anderson

Anxiety is a severe problem, and one of the most serious of the anxiety symptoms are panic attacks. Anxiety and panic attacks can vary in severity, but it is common for them to grow more frequent and more overwhelming as time goes on. If anxiety is not treated, it will not resolve on its own, and in fact ignoring the problem will usually cause it to accelerate even more rapidly. Finding a treatment method that works for you is essential if you are to get past anxiety.

Finding the treatment that you feel comfortable with is very important in the treatment of anxiety. There are several effective options available, and it is just a matter of finding the one that is the best fit for your situation. If you find one treatment ineffective, you will likely find another an ideal solution. There is something out there for every patient.

Feeling good about the treatment that you choose is a very important part of your success, and it will help you to deal with anxiety the best way possible.

These are the most often used methods of treating anxiety:

Medications Prescribed for Anti-Anxiety

A large number of medications are designed to treat anxiety. These drugs are primarily found in the benzodiazepine family, and include such medications as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan. Some other drugs are not designed exclusively for the purpose of treating anxiety or panic attacks, but do have the side effect of reducing anxiety levels, such as anti-depressants. Generally these drugs are taken as needed, but sometimes are taken on a regular schedule so as to reduce constant anxiety problems.

While drug-based anxiety treatments can be helpful there are two major drawbacks. Firstly, drug treatments address the symptoms of anxiety but not the root causes of anxiety. Secondly, there is a high risk of becoming dependant on (addicted to) some commonly-prescribed anti-anxiety drugs.

Hypnosis - Hypnotherapy

Many patients consider hypnosis an excellent drug free option for the treatment of anxiety. Hypnotherapy fights anxiety by using deep relaxation to allow a person to be open to sharing the causes behind the anxiety. Hypnotic suggestion is then used to make the brain respond to those causes in a different way.

Unfortunately, anxiety tends to prevent hypnosis from working in many cases. Anxiety sufferers have a hard time allowing themselves to be "put under", due to the fear of losing control. Hypnotherapy does not tend to have a high success level in dealing with panic attacks. Hypnotherapy will usually not be enough to combat panic attacks unless it is accompanied by another aggressive method of therapy, such as CBT, aimed at eliminating the panic attacks.

There are some self-hypnosis techniques that, when used in a calm and safe atmosphere, can help deal with anxiety. However, these are not effective treatments for panic attacks.

Treatment Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used in the treatment of anxiety and a number of other conditions. CBT works by seeking out improper thought patterns and retraining them. Since the way that a person views a situation is altered, it is possible to also alter their reaction to it.

Cognitive therapy for anxiety and panic attack sufferers typically involves exercises with timetables to ensure progress but it can be a lengthy process. However, it is an anxiety treatment that safely and effectively addresses the root causes of anxiety and provides a lasting, usually life-long solution. - 30437

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