Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor might run tests to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions that can trigger anxiety attacks. They can also assist you to develop strategies for managing your symptoms.
Treatments for anxiety such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of psychotherapy are efficient. However, they may take a while to get results. Benzodiazepines can be used as an emergency medication for severe anxiety.
Medications
If psychotherapy is not enough to combat anxiety disorders, medication can be prescribed. The drugs address the underlying imbalance of chemicals that causes the symptoms of anxiety attacks and may help in managing the symptoms. Anxiety medications include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and sedatives. Talk to your doctor to find out the best medication for you.
Your doctor will take into consideration your symptoms and your family background when choosing the appropriate anxiety treatment for you. They will also look at your other medical conditions and the medications you are taking. They may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy or the combination of psychotherapy and medication. Other therapies that can be employed to combat anxiety include biofeedback, exposure therapy and strategies for managing stress.
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 regulates mood. These include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants work similar to SSRIs, but have fewer negative side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants start at a low dose and slowly increased as time passes. Certain medications, including birth control pills, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, may interact with tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for severe anxiety attacks. They focus on GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, which causes the brain to relax. They are typically prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety disorders. Because they are addictive and addictive, benzodiazepines should be used for a limited duration. They also lose their effectiveness when they are used for more than 4 weeks.
If benzodiazepines don't work Other sedatives may be prescribed, like alprazolam or Clonazepam. These medications are effective in treating panic attacks, but not as efficient as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. They can also be addictive and can interfere with your sleep cycle.
It's important to communicate openly with your doctor regarding your symptoms and how the medication is effective for you. Request regular follow-up visits and let them know how you're managing your symptoms. You can also utilize telehealth services such as Doctor On Demand which is covered under certain Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota policies. These online services let you visit psychologists or psychiatrists on your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive therapy for behavior
The most commonly used treatment for anxiety disorders and panic attacks is cognitive behavior therapy. It is a research-backed and effective treatment that targets both the thoughts and actions that cause anxiety. The therapist will help you identify negative thoughts or patterns and replace them with healthier ones. The therapist can also assist you improve your behavior by instructing you on how to deal with anxiety-related symptoms. These techniques include breathing exercise, progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. Therapists may also assign you tasks to complete between sessions. For example, tracking your anxiety levels or engaging in something you've stayed away from because of it.
People who have panic disorder often suffer from avoidance behaviors, which are based on the fear that they will have another panic attack. This can include avoiding situations that are likely to cause anxiety, like crowds in shopping malls, elevators, highway driving or walking on their own. These avoidance behaviors may have an impact on your quality of life. This kind of anxiety could lead to problems such as problems with concentration at work, depression and even substance abuse.
The root of panic disorders is believed to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Stressful life events like moving into a new residence or the death an individual loved one are common triggers. Certain genes can also increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to assist you in learning to cope with your fears and improve your overall quality of life. In contrast to medications, which only treats the symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy addresses the root causes of the disorder and helps you develop strategies to cope that will help in the future.
This kind of therapy can be difficult to start, even though it is effective in treating a broad variety of anxiety disorders. It is likely that you will need to attend sessions for a few weeks before you begin to feel better. It is normal to have some back-ups. 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, including psychotherapy and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, aids people identify negative thoughts and emotions that can trigger panic attacks or worsen them. This kind of treatment typically includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative patterns and develop better coping strategies. It also teaches people to overcome their fears of certain situations. It is important to adhere to an established treatment program. Making it a habit to attend weekly therapy sessions can help a patient get better within 10-20 weeks.
CBT employs exposure therapy to help you face your fears repeatedly. The therapist creates an approach to expose you to your fears in a secure and controlled environment. In vivo (real life) exposure is used where you confront your fears in the real world or in virtual reality, where you face your fear in a virtual space. In vivo exposure is most effective for certain phobias. The therapist will gradually expose you to the fear until it becomes less threatening.
This treatment is often intense. It could involve flooding, in which you are exposed to a fear-inducing situation for a long duration. It can also include psychoeducation, cognitive processing and behavioral therapy. It's utilized in all major anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It's also helpful in treating social anxiety.
It is crucial to find a professional with exposure therapy experience. You should select a doctor who is a member of a national organization or network which deals with anxiety disorders. It's recommended to look up reviews. You can also ask your doctor for the recommendation of a specialist. You can even join an online support group for those suffering from anxiety. You can lessen anxiety by exercising and using relaxation methods. Avoid alcohol, recreational drugs and smoking, which can all cause anxiety or make it worse. Stress can also cause anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are powerful drugs that can treat anxiety quite effectively. However, they are addictive and can cause serious side effects if used regularly or for long periods of time. This is the reason they are usually only prescribed for the short-term relief of severe anxiety or sleeplessness.
alternative treatments for anxiety function by reducing the nervous system, which causes relaxation and sedation. Orally, they can be taken as liquids, sprays 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 instant and effective symptomatic relief. They can be used on their own or as an addition to other treatments, for instance CBT for anxiety.
There are many different types of benzodiazepines. They differ in terms of their effectiveness, duration of action and how quickly the body absorbs the drugs. There is a connection between the amount of time a benzo used for and its potential to be misused, so shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are generally preferred.
When you take benzodiazepines in conjunction with other drugs like sedatives, alcohol, or opioid painkillers could increase the risk of harmful side effects. These interactions can also increase drug effects and result in an overdose or even death. Benzodiazepines may also interact with certain foods and herbal remedies. If you are taking a benzo, it's important to inform your pharmacist and doctor of any other medicines you are taking or plan to take.
If a person takes benzodiazepines to treat long-term anxiety the brain becomes dependent on it to function normally. This is referred to as physical dependence and can trigger various symptoms, including withdrawal, tolerance and craving. This kind of dependence is different from addiction that involves an uncontrollable and habitual need to consume drugs.
When properly used When used properly, benzodiazepines can be extremely effective and cause a few side effects. They should only be used to treat anxiety when other alternatives have failed or are not feasible. Alternative methods to manage anxiety include meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy.