Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can run tests to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions that could trigger anxiety attacks. They can also help you to learn strategies to manage your anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and other types of psychotherapy can be effective treatments for anxiety. However, they may take a long time to begin working. Benzodiazepines are a great short-term treatment for severe anxiety.
Medicines
If psychotherapy isn't enough, medication may be prescribed to patients suffering from anxiety disorders. The drugs address the underlying imbalance of chemicals that causes the symptoms of an anxiety attack and can assist in managing anxiety attacks. Antidepressants, tranquilizers and sedatives are all anxiety-related medications. Speak to your doctor to find out the best medication for you.
When deciding on the most effective anxiety treatment for you, your healthcare provider will take into account the severity of your symptoms as well as your family history. They will also consider your other health conditions, and any medications you take. They might recommend cognitive behavioral therapy or a combination of psychotherapy with medications. Biofeedback, exposure therapy and techniques for managing stress are other methods that can be used for anxiety.
The most commonly used antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). They work by reversing the imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain that controls mood. These include citalopram fluoxetine and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants function in the same way as SSRIs, but with fewer side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants begin with a small dose and gradually increased as time passes. Certain medications, including birth control pills, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen can interact with tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines can be prescribed for severe anxiety attacks. They target gamma-aminobutryic acids also known as GABA which is a neurochemical that acts to produce the brain to relax. These medications are prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorders, and anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines should only be used for short-term use as they can be addictive. They also lose their effectiveness if they are used for more than 4 weeks at one time.
Alprazolam and clonazepam are other sedatives that are available when benzodiazepines cannot be used. These drugs are effective in treating panic attacks but not as effective as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs can also be addictive and may interfere with your sleep cycle.
It's crucial to be honest with your physician about your symptoms and how the medication is effective for you. Let them know about other methods you're using to manage your symptoms, and ask for regular follow-ups. You can also use Telehealth services like Doctor On Demand which is covered by specific Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota policies. These online services let you consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist on your phone or computer.
Cognitive therapy for behavior
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a preferred treatment for anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks. It is a proven treatment that addresses both the thoughts and actions which contribute to anxiety. The therapist can help you to identify your negative thoughts or patterns of thought, and replace them with healthier ones. In addition the therapist can assist you to alter your behavior by teaching you new skills to deal with the symptoms of anxiety. These techniques include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and exposure therapy. Therapists may also assign you homework to do between sessions. For example, tracking your anxiety levels, or doing something you've avoided because of it.
People suffering from panic disorder are usually inclined to avoidance behavior. This is due to fear of another panic attack. Avoiding situations that create anxiety, such as crowds in malls, elevators, or highway driving is a way to prevent this. Avoidance behaviors can have a significant effects on your life quality. This kind of anxiety could lead to problems such as problems with concentration at work, depression, and even substance abuse.
The reason for panic disorders is believed to be a mix of environmental and genetic factors. Life events that stress us, such as moving into a new house or the death a loved one are common triggers. Certain genes can also increase the risk of anxiety disorders.
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help you learn to face your anxieties and improve your overall quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, unlike medication is a treatment that addresses the root cause and helps you develop coping skills that will be helpful in the future.
This kind of therapy may be difficult to start although it is effective in treating a broad range of anxiety disorders. It is possible that you will need to attend therapy sessions for a few weeks before feeling better. It is normal to experience some setbacks. The key is to stick with it and keep in mind that your efforts will pay off.
Therapy for exposure
There are several options for treating anxiety attacks, such as psychotherapy and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, aids people identify negative emotions and thoughts that can cause panic attacks or worsen them. This kind of treatment typically includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to alter negative patterns and develop better coping strategies. It also teaches people how to overcome their fear of certain situations. It is essential to adhere to a treatment program. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions can make someone feel better after 10 to 20 weeks.
CBT employs exposure therapy to help you face your fears repeatedly. The therapist will develop an approach to expose you to your fears in a safe and controlled environment. You can choose to use in vivo exposure (real life), where you are exposed to your fears in a real-world setting or virtual reality, in which you are exposed to your fears in a simulated environment. In vivo exposure is most effective for specific phobias. The therapist will gradually expose you to the fear until it is less threatening.
This therapy can be very intense. It could involve a flood that exposes you for a prolonged period of time to a situation that creates anxiety. It could also involve psychoeducation, cognitive therapy, and behavioral therapy. It's used in almost all major anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It's also effective for anxiety related to social situations.
It is crucial to find a specialist with exposure therapy experience. Find a doctor who is registered in an organization or network that treats anxiety disorders. Checking reviews is also an excellent idea. You can also request an appointment from your doctor to an expert. You can join a support group specifically designed for those suffering from anxiety. Engaging in physical activity and using relaxation techniques can help to reduce anxiety. Avoid drinking, recreational drugs and smoking, which could cause or worsen anxiety. Overworking treatments for anxiety disorders can also increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, are powerful medication that treat anxiety efficiently. However they can be addictive and cause serious side effects if used regularly or long-term. They are therefore only prescribed to alleviate extreme insomnia or anxiety for a short time.
They work by slowing the nervous system and causes an increase in sedation. They can be consumed orally in the form of tablets, liquids or sprays. They can also be injected into a vein. Benzos can be used to treat insomnia, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorders. They are especially useful when a patient is suffering from anxiety attacks that are severe because they can offer quick, effective and immediate relief of symptoms. They can be prescribed as a separate treatment or as an adjunct with other treatments such as CBT.
There are many different types of benzodiazepines, which differ in their effectiveness, duration of action and the speed at which the body absorbs them. There is a correlation between the length of time a benzo used for and its potential to be misused, which is why shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are generally preferred.
When you take benzodiazepines in conjunction with other drugs such as sedatives alcohol, or opioid painkillers could increase the risk of harmful adverse side effects. These interactions can also intensify the effects of drugs, leading to an overdose or death. In the same way, benzodiazepines may interact with certain foods or herbs. It is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking benzos or planning to take other medications.
When a person uses benzodiazepines over a long period of time their brain is dependent on them to function normally. This is called physical dependence, and can cause a range of symptoms, such as withdrawal, tolerance and craving. This type of dependency is different from addiction that is an uncontrollable, addictive need to take drugs.
Benzodiazepines are very effective and exhibit no adverse effects when they are employed in the right way. They should only be considered as a treatment option when other alternatives have failed or are not feasible. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mediation are non-pharmacological techniques for managing anxiety.