Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor may run tests to determine if there are underlying medical conditions that can trigger anxiety attacks. They can also teach you how to manage your anxiety.
Treatments for anxiety like cognitive behavioral therapy and other psychotherapies are effective. They may take time to take effect. Benzodiazepines can be used as a short-term medication for severe anxiety.
Medicines
When psychotherapy alone isn't enough, medications may 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 them. Sedatives, tranquilizers, and antidepressants are all anxiety-related medications. Consult your physician to determine the most effective medication for you.
When deciding on the most effective anxiety treatment for you, your doctor will consider the severity of your symptoms as well as your family history. They will also take into consideration your other medical conditions and medications you are taking. They might recommend cognitive behavior therapy or a combination of therapy and medication. Biofeedback, exposure therapy, and techniques for managing stress are other methods that can be utilized to treat anxiety.
The most common antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications correct an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain that controls mood. They include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants function in the same way as SSRIs, but with fewer adverse effects. Tricyclic antidepressants must be taken at a small dose and gradually increasing over time. They may interact with certain medications, including some birth control pills, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.
Benzodiazepines may be prescribed to treat severe anxiety attacks. They target gamma-aminobutryic acids also known as GABA, in the brain to create an calming effect. They are usually used to treat panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and fears. Because they can be addictive and can cause withdrawal, benzodiazepines should only be used for a brief duration. They also lose effectiveness if they are taken for more than 4 weeks.
Alprazolam and clonazepam are also sedatives that are available when benzodiazepines cannot be used. These medications can be helpful in the treatment of panic attacks, however, they're not as effective as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. These medications are also addictive and may interfere with your sleep cycle.
It is essential to be open with your physician about your symptoms and how your medication works for you. Let them know of other methods you're using to manage your symptoms and request regular appointments for follow-ups. You can also make use of telehealth services such as Doctor On Demand which is covered under certain Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota policies. These online services allow you to visit psychologists or psychiatrists using your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive therapy for behavioral problems
The preferred treatment for anxiety disorders and panic attacks is cognitive behavior therapy. It is a proven treatment that targets both the thoughts and behaviors which contribute to anxiety. The therapist can teach you to identify your negative thoughts, or thinking patterns, and replace them with more positive ones. Additionally the therapist will assist you to change your behavior by teaching you new strategies to cope with the symptoms of anxiety. These techniques include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and exposure therapy. The therapist might also give you tasks to complete between sessions. For instance, keeping track of your anxiety levels or engaging in an activity you've avoided because of it.
People with panic disorder often suffer from avoidance behavior, which is motivated by the fear they will have another panic attack. This may be avoided in situations that are likely to cause anxiety, such as crowded shopping malls elevators, highway driving or walking by themselves. Avoidance behaviors can have a significant effects on your life quality. This type of anxiety can result in problems like difficulties in concentrating at work, depression, and even addiction problems.
The reason for panic disorders is believed to be a result of a combination between genetics and environment factors. Stressful life events such as moving into a new residence or the loss of a loved one are common triggers. It is also possible that some genes can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders.
The aim of cognitive behavioral therapy is to assist you in learning to cope with your anxieties and improve your overall quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, unlike medication, addresses the root causes and helps you develop coping strategies that can help you in the future.
Although this kind of therapy can be effective for various anxiety disorders, it can be difficult at first. It is likely that you will require sessions for a few weeks before you start to feel better. There may be some setbacks, like the severity of your symptoms getting worse but this is not unusual. It is crucial to stay positive and keep in mind that you will reap the benefits of your efforts.
Exposure therapy
Psychotherapy and medication are two of the many treatment options available for those suffering from anxiety. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) assists a person to identify and change negative thoughts, emotions, and actions that trigger or worsen anxiety attacks. This kind of treatment typically includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative patterns and learn better coping strategies. It also teaches people how to overcome their fears of certain situations. It's important to stick with a treatment program. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions can help a person feel much better within 10 to 20 weeks.
CBT employs exposure therapy to help you confront your fears repeatedly. The therapist will develop plans to expose you to your fears in a secure and controlled environment. In the real world (real life) exposure is used, in which you face your fears in the real world, or virtual reality where you face your fear in a virtual environment. In vivo is best for specific phobias. The therapist will gradually expose your fears to you until it becomes less extreme.
The treatment can be extremely intense. It could involve a flood in which you are exposed for a long time to a situation that causes anxiety. It may also involve psychoeducation, cognitive processing and behavioral therapy. It's used in almost all of the major anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It's also helpful in treating social anxiety.
It's crucial to locate a professional who has experience in exposure therapy. Choose someone who is a member of an organization or network that is specialized in treating anxiety disorders. Reading reviews is also a great idea. You can also request an appointment from your doctor to an expert. You can join an online support group specifically designed for those suffering from anxiety. Being physically active and utilizing relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety. Avoid drinking and recreational drug use and smoking, as they can cause anxiety or even worsen it. It's also important not to overwork yourself, as this may cause anxiety to increase.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are powerful medications that treat anxiety very well. They can be addictive, and have serious side effects when used regularly or for a long time. They are therefore only prescribed to relieve insomnia or extreme anxiety for a brief period of time.
They work by reducing the nervous system, causing sedation and relaxing muscles. They can be taken orally, and consumed as sprays, liquids or tablets. They can also be directly injected into veins. Benzos can be used to treat insomnia, panic disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder. They are particularly useful for those suffering from panic attacks as they can provide immediate and effective symptomatic relief. They can be prescribed on their own or as an adjunct to other treatments, for instance CBT for anxiety.
There are a variety of benzos, each with a different strength and duration of action and absorption rate by the body. There is a correlation between the length of time a benzo used for and its propensity to be misused, which is why shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are usually preferred.
When you take benzodiazepines in conjunction with other drugs such as sedatives alcohol, or opioid painkillers could increase the risk of dangerous adverse effects. These interactions can also intensify the effects of the drug and could result in a overdose or even death. Benzodiazepines can also interact with certain foods and herbal products. It is important to tell your physician and pharmacist that you are taking benzos or plan to take other medicines.
When a person takes benzodiazepines over a long period of time the brain becomes dependent on it to function normally. This is known as physical dependence, and can cause a range of symptoms, including withdrawal, tolerance, and a craving. This type of dependency is different from addiction that involves an uncontrollable and addictive need to take substances.
Benzodiazepines are very effective and have few negative effects when employed in the right way. However, they should only be offered as a treatment option when alternatives to drugs have not proven successful or aren't feasible. Alternative methods to manage anxiety include cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation.