Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can conduct tests to determine if there are underlying medical conditions which may cause anxiety attacks. They can also instruct you on how to manage your anxiety.
Treatments for anxiety like cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of psychotherapy are effective. However, they take a long time to begin working. Benzodiazepines are an in-between treatment for anxiety that is severe.
Medicines
When psychotherapy alone isn't enough, medication may be prescribed to patients suffering from anxiety disorders. The medication can help control anxiety attacks by treating the underlying chemical imbalance that causes these attacks. Sedatives, tranquilizers, and antidepressants are all anxiety medications. Talk to your doctor about the most effective medication for you.
When deciding on the most effective anxiety treatment for you, your physician will take into consideration your symptoms and your family background. They will also consider your other health conditions, and any medications you take. They may recommend cognitive behavior therapy or a combination of therapy and medication. Biofeedback, exposure therapy and stress management techniques are all other options that are effective for anxiety.
The most common antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications correct an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain that regulates mood. These include citalopram fluoxetine and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants function similarly to SSRIs, but have fewer negative side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should be started in a small amount and gradually increasing over time. They can interact with specific medications, including birth control pills, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for severe anxiety attacks. They focus on GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, creating the brain to relax. They are generally used to treat panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and phobias. Benzodiazepines should only be used for short-term use because they can become addictive. They also lose effectiveness when they are used for longer than 4 weeks.
If benzodiazepines aren't a viable option, other sedatives can be prescribed, like alprazolam or clonazepam. These medications are effective in treating panic attacks but not as effective as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. They can also be addicting and can disrupt your sleep cycle.
It is essential to be honest with your doctor about your symptoms and the way your medication works for you. Let them know of any other ways you're trying to manage your symptoms and ask for regular follow-ups. You can 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 let you consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist using your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive therapy for behavior
The most effective treatment for anxiety disorders and panic attacks is cognitive therapy. It is a proven treatment that targets both the behaviors and thoughts that cause anxiety. The therapist can help you to identify your negative thoughts, or thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. The therapist will also help you to change your behavior by instructing you on how to deal with anxiety symptoms. These techniques include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and exposure therapy. The therapist might also give you homework to do between sessions. For instance, keeping track of your anxiety levels or doing something you've stayed away from because of it.
People with panic disorder are often plagued by avoidance behaviors, which are caused by the fear that they will have another panic attack. This can be avoided in situations that are likely to trigger anxiety, like crowded shopping malls or elevators, driving on highways or walking by themselves. These avoidance behaviors can have a significant impact on the quality of life. This kind of anxiety could lead to problems like difficulty in concentrating at work, depression, or even alcohol abuse.
It is believed that panic disorders are caused by the combination of environmental and genetic causes. Life events that stress us like moving to a new house or the death of a loved ones, are typical triggers for these conditions. Certain genes may increase the risk for anxiety disorders.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help you deal with your fears, and improve your quality of life. In contrast to medications that only treat symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy tackles the root cause of the disorder and helps you develop strategies to cope that will be beneficial in the future.
This kind of therapy can be difficult to begin with although it is effective in treating a broad variety of anxiety disorders. You may have to attend therapy for several weeks before you start to feel better. It is normal to experience some difficulties. It is important to persevere and remember that you will reap the benefits of your efforts.
Therapy for exposure
There are many treatment options for anxiety attacks, such as psychotherapy and medications. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) helps people recognize and modify unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors that can trigger or exacerbate panic attacks. This kind of treatment consists of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method that teaches people how to change negative patterns and develop better coping skills. It also teaches people how to overcome their fears of certain situations. It's important to stick with a treatment plan. Making it a habit to attend weekly therapy sessions can make a patient feel better in 10-20 weeks.
CBT utilizes exposure therapy to help you face your fears repeatedly. The therapist will develop a plan to expose you to your fears in a secure and controlled environment. In the real world (real life) exposure is used where you face your fears in the real world or virtual reality where you confront your fears in a virtual space. In vivo is the best option for specific fears. The therapist gradually exposes you to your fear until it becomes less severe.
This treatment is often intense. It can involve flooding that exposes you for a long period of time to a situation that creates anxiety. It can also include psychoeducation, cognitive therapy, and behavioral therapy. It can be used to treat nearly all major anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. It's also beneficial in easing social anxiety.
It is essential to find an expert who is familiar with exposure therapy. You should select a doctor who is registered with a national network or association which deals with anxiety disorders. Checking reviews is also an excellent idea. You can also request a referral from your doctor to a specialist. meds to treat anxiety could even join an online support group for those who suffer from anxiety. Being physically active and utilizing relaxation techniques can also help to reduce anxiety. Avoid alcohol, recreational drug and smoking, which can cause or worsen anxiety. Overworking yourself can increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are also referred to as benzos, are powerful medications which treat anxiety very efficiently. They can be addictive, and can cause serious side effects when taken regularly or for a long time. This is why they are generally prescribed for short-term relief of severe anxiety or sleeplessness.
They function by reducing the nervous system, causing sedation and relaxing muscles. Orally, they can be taken in the form of sprays, liquids or tablets. They can be injecting directly into the vein. Benzos can be used to treat panic disorder, insomnia, and generalised anxiety disorder. They are particularly useful for those suffering from a panic attack, as they provide immediate and effective symptomatic relief. They can be used on their own or as an adjunct to other treatments, like CBT for anxiety.
There are many different kinds of benzos, each having different effectiveness and duration of action and rate of absorption by the body. There is a connection between the amount of time a benzo is used for and its potential to be misused, so shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are often preferred.
Combining benzodiazepines with other medications like sedatives, opioid painkillers or alcohol can increase the risk of dangerous adverse effects. These interactions can also enhance the effects of the drug and may result in a overdose or even death. Benzodiazepines may also interact with certain foods and herbs. It is important to tell your pharmacist and doctor if you are taking benzos or planning to take other medication.
When a person takes benzodiazepines over a long period of time the brain becomes dependent on it for functioning normally. This is called physical dependence and can result in a variety of symptoms, such as withdrawal, tolerance, and craving. This kind of dependence is different from addiction that is an uncontrollable, habitual need to consume substances.
When properly used, benzodiazepines can be very efficient and have minimal adverse effects. However they should only be offered as a treatment option when alternatives to drugs have not proven effective or are not feasible. Non-drug approaches to anxiety management include meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy.