Treatment For Anxiety Attacks

A doctor can run tests to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions that can trigger anxiety attacks. They can also help to understand strategies to manage your anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy as well as other forms of psychotherapy can be effective treatments for anxiety. However, they take time to work. Benzodiazepines can be utilized as an emergency medication for anxiety that is severe.

Medicines

If psychotherapy is not enough to combat anxiety disorders, medication is a possibility. The medication addresses the root imbalance of chemical that causes the symptoms of anxiety attacks and can help manage the symptoms. Anxiety medication includes antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and sedatives. Talk to your doctor to determine the best medication for you.

When deciding on the most effective anxiety treatment for you, your healthcare provider will take into consideration your symptoms and your family background. They will also take into consideration your other health conditions and medications you are taking. They may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy or a combination of psychotherapy with medications. Other treatments that are used to treat anxiety include exposure therapy, biofeedback and techniques for managing stress.

The most commonly used antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). They reduce symptoms by resolving an imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitters that control mood. They include citalopram fluoxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline. Other antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants that function similar to SSRIs but with fewer side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants must be taken with a small dosage and gradually increased over time. They can interact with specific medications, including some birth control pills to treat anxiety, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Benzodiazepines are a fast-acting medication that can be prescribed to treat a severe anxiety attack. They target GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, creating an calming effect. They are typically used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, and fears. Because they are a source of addiction and can cause withdrawal, benzodiazepines should only be used for a brief period of time. They also lose their effectiveness if taken for longer than 4 weeks at a time.

When benzodiazepines aren't an option Other sedatives may be prescribed, such as alprazolam or clonazepam. These drugs are effective in treating panic attacks but not as effective as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. These medications are also addictive and can disrupt your sleep cycle.

It is essential to communicate with your doctor regarding your symptoms and how your medication is working for you. Let them know of any other ways you're trying to manage your symptoms and ask for regular appointments for follow-ups. You can also try the telehealth options, like Doctor On Demand, which is covered by some Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans. These online services allow you to consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist via your smartphone or computer.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a preferred treatment for anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks. It is a well-established treatment that addresses both the thoughts and behaviors which contribute to anxiety. The therapist will help you identify negative cognitions or thinking patterns and replace them with more positive ones. In addition, the therapist will help you to alter your behavior by teaching you new techniques to manage the symptoms of anxiety. These techniques include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. The therapist may provide you with homework activities to do between sessions, like tracking your anxiety or engaging in an activity that you've been avoiding because of it (like talking to a stranger at a social gathering).

People with panic disorder are usually susceptible to avoidance behaviors. This is because they fear another panic attack. Avoiding situations that cause anxiety, such as crowded malls, elevators or driving is one way to avoid this. These behaviors of avoidance can have a huge impact on the quality of life. This type of anxiety may result in issues such as difficulty in concentrating at work or depression, or addiction to drugs.

It is believed that panic disorders are caused by an interaction of environmental and genetic causes. Stressful life events like moving into a new home or the death a loved one are common triggers. It is also possible that certain genes increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.

The purpose of cognitive behavior therapy is to help you learn to face your anxieties and improve your overall quality of life. Unlike medication that treat only the symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy targets the root causes of the disorder and assists you in developing strategies for coping that can help in the future.

This kind of therapy can be challenging to begin with although it is effective in treating a wide variety of anxiety disorders. You may need to attend sessions for a couple of weeks before you start to feel better. It is normal to experience some setbacks. The key is to remain with it and remember that your efforts will pay off.

Therapy for exposure

Psychotherapy and medication are two of the many treatment options available for anxiety attacks. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) helps a person identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and actions that cause or exacerbate anxiety attacks. This kind of treatment consists of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method that helps people change negative patterns and develop more effective coping skills. It helps people overcome their fears in certain situations. It is crucial to adhere to a plan of treatment. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions can make someone feel better within 10 to 20 weeks.

Exposure therapy is one of the techniques in CBT that involves repeatedly confronting your fears that trigger. The therapist will create an approach that exposes your fears in an environment that is controlled and secure. They can use in live exposure (real life) which is where you are exposed to your fears in a real-world environment, or virtual reality, in which you are exposed to your fear in a simulated environment. In vivo exposure is most effective for specific fears. The therapist gradually exposes you to your fears until it becomes less threatening.

This therapy may be very intense. It could involve flooding, in which you are exposed to a threatening situation for a prolonged period of time. It can also include psychoeducation, cognitive therapy, and behavioral therapy. It is used to treat almost all major anxiety disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic disorder. It is also effective for social anxieties.

It's important to find an expert who is experienced in exposure therapy. You should choose someone who is registered with a national association or network that deals with anxiety disorders. It's an excellent idea to look up reviews. You could also ask your doctor for the recommendation of an expert. You can join a support group specifically designed for those suffering from anxiety. You can lessen anxiety by staying physically active and by using relaxation techniques. Avoid alcohol, recreational drug and smoking, which can all trigger or worsen anxiety. It's also a good idea not to overload yourself, as this can cause anxiety to increase.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well. They can be addictive and they have serious side effects when taken frequently or for a long duration. This is why they are usually only prescribed for short-term relief of sleeplessness or anxiety.

They work by slowing the nervous system and causes the body to relax. They can be consumed orally as tablets, liquids or sprays, and can be injected into a vein. Benzos can be used to treat insomnia, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. They are especially useful when a patient is experiencing a major panic attack because they can provide rapid effective and immediate symptomatic relief. They can be prescribed on their own, or as an adjunct to other treatments, for instance CBT for anxiety.

There are several different types of benzos, each possessing different potency, duration of action, and rate of absorption by the body. There is a connection between the duration of a benzo's usage and the likelihood of it being misused. These benzodiazepines with shorter acting times, such as alprazolam are usually preferred.

Benzodiazepines can trigger harmful side effects when taken in conjunction with other drugs, like sedatives and opioid painkillers. These interactions can also increase the effects of drugs, leading to an overdose or even death. Additionally, benzodiazepines can interact with certain herbs or foods. It is crucial to inform your physician and pharmacist that you are taking benzos or plan to take other medications.

When a person uses benzodiazepines for a long time, their brain becomes dependent on them to function normally. This is known as physical dependence, and it can cause various symptoms, including withdrawal, tolerance, and craving. This kind of dependency is distinct from addiction, which is an uncontrollable, addictive need to take substances.

If used properly, benzodiazepines can be very efficient and have minimal adverse reactions. However they should only be used as a treatment option when other methods have not proved successful or aren't feasible. Alternative methods to manage anxiety include meditation and cognitive behavior therapy.