Treatment For Panic Attacks
For treatment of panic attacks, the first step is to go to an experienced healthcare professional. The doctor will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and perform a physical exam. They will determine if other issues are causing them.
People suffering from panic disorder feel that their experiences aren't understood. They may be lonely from other people.
Signs and symptoms
A panic attack is an episode of extreme anxiety or fear that can occur suddenly and without a cause. The symptoms include chest discomfort, palpitations, breathing difficulties, feelings like you're choking in numbness, tingling, chills, sweating, and numbness, and the feeling that you're losing control. You may be unsteady or dizzy and you may have difficulty staying focused. People with this disorder often feel anxious or tense between attacks and worry about when the next attack will occur. They may avoid situations or places that they believe provoked a previous panic attack, and this can cause a condition called agoraphobia, where you become afraid of being in open spaces or situations that could be difficult or impossible to get away from.
If you are a parent or friend of one suffering from this condition, help them recognize an attack and work to calm them while the symptoms are happening. Encourage them to focus on something enjoyable such as counting to ten or naming the objects around them. You can also introduce a technique called grounding, which involves touching something soothing like the softness of a handkerchief or blanket, or smelling a particular scent, such as mint.
You should see an expert in health care right away if you think you have an anxiety attack. They will conduct an examination to confirm that your symptoms aren't caused by a medical issue. If they conclude that there is a medical explanation for your symptoms, they will refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
It is also advisable to talk with your doctor about any other mental health issues like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. If you have PTSD, you might experience depression, nightmares, flashbacks and feelings of separation or disconnection. You may experience difficulty sleeping and may find it difficult to focus on your work or relationships. In some instances you may even experience suicidal thoughts. You can get information and assistance from a variety of sources such as your GP, Kids Helpline, Mensline Australia or Lifeline. Some people find that their symptoms diminish as they get older. Others will have frequent and intense panic attacks throughout their lives.
Diagnosis
People suffering from panic disorder experience recurrent, unexpected episodes of intense fear that make it feel like they're experiencing an attack on their heart or another serious medical issue. They fear that they'll have more attacks, and avoid situations that could trigger panic attacks. what causes anxiety disorders can cause serious problems such as at relationships and at work. The symptoms can also affect sleep. Psychotherapy and medication are the two main treatment options.
Talking to a mental health professional or doctor is the first step. The patient will be required to explain their symptoms and the frequency at which they occur. They must also answer questions about their family history and other mental health issues. The doctor might perform tests to rule out physical causes for the symptoms, such a blood test or imaging. These tests will usually be normal.
If the doctor suspects that the patient suffers from panic disorder, he'll ask the patient to describe the symptoms and when they manifest. The doctor will also do an evaluation of the psychological state. The doctor will also inquire about any other mental health conditions or anxiety disorders that the patient has suffered from and their effects. The doctor will need to be aware of the patient's daily routine and stress levels.
A psychiatrist, an expert in the field of mental illness can diagnose and prescribe medication for panic disorder. Other health care providers who can aid in treatment include psychologists and therapists, nurses, and social workers.
Talk therapy (or psychotherapy) is a therapy that involves discussing your thoughts and feelings with a psychologist or counselor. The goal is to change negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger panic attacks. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a research-supported therapy, is one of the most commonly used types of psychotherapy used to treat panic disorder. CBT will teach you new ways of thinking and behavior so that you can overcome your fear.
Medications can be used alone or in combination with psychotherapy to treat panic disorder. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and benzodiazepines are among the most commonly prescribed medicines for this condition. It can take a while to find the right medication for you and it's essential to be honest with your physician about how you are experiencing. Many people will test a variety of drugs before settling on one that works for them.
Treatment
Treatment options for panic disorder include psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) and medication. Talk therapy can help you control your anxiety and reduce anxiety attacks. Treatment can help reduce the severity of your symptoms and could assist you in avoiding the need for other drugs in the future. Some people are able to combine the two treatment options to be the most effective.
A doctor may begin by performing a physical examination to determine whether your symptoms are caused by an illness. If there isn't any medical issue, your doctor will likely refer you a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Most people who experience panic attacks will get better over time, especially those who seek treatment. But the speed of improvement differs from person to person. Some sufferers have months or years of frequent symptoms, then many years of symptom-free. Some people have persistent symptoms that don't completely disappear.
The treatment plan for you will likely begin with cognitive behavioral therapy which is a form of therapy for talking that can assist you in changing the negative thoughts that cause your anxiety and anxiety. You will also learn how to manage stress, and practice relaxation techniques. These are abilities you'll need to practice daily to get the most benefits.
In some cases your doctor may prescribe medication. It could be an antidepressant, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or a serotonin. The benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) for instance have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating anxiety disorders. Additionally tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and Clomipramine (Anafranil) have been proven efficient in numerous double-blind studies.
The FDA does not monitor herbal supplements and dietary supplements in the same way that medications are and therefore, there are unidentified risks or potentially dangerous drug interactions. Your doctor may not recommend them even when certain people find them helpful in controlling their symptoms.
It is important to have the support of family and friends, as well as to take care of yourself physically. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet. Keep active and spend time with people who know the struggles you're experiencing.
The following is a list of preventatives.
If you or someone you know is experiencing an anxiety attack It is important to visit a healthcare professional right away. This could include your doctor or a mental health professional (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist) or an allied health professional such as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist.
Panic attacks are a sudden sensation of intense anxiety or terror that can occur very quickly and without reason. They are usually short and last between 5 and 20 minutes, but they may linger much longer than that. You may feel breathless or feel like your heart is racing. You may also experience chest pains or a feeling of imminent danger. There are other physical symptoms, like a pounding heart or fast-paced heart (heart palpitations), or an uneasy feeling that you can't breathe (shortness or breath).
People suffering from panic disorder typically spend much of their time worrying about having a few more attacks or what they could mean. This can lead them to avoid situations that might cause an attack. This could have a negative effect on their daily lives and stop them from doing what they want to.
Anxiety disorders, like panic disorder, can run in families. A person is at 40% of developing the condition when one of their relatives in the first degree has it. Some medical conditions, such as asthma, cardiac arrhythmias and irritable bowel syndrome, can also be associated with panic disorder.
You can help prevent panic attacks by:
Deep breathing exercises can help you relax. Use anti-anxiety medication however, only under the supervision of your doctor and for a brief period. Psychotherapists can help you learn stress management techniques and help you figure out ways to handle your anxieties. Avoiding sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that may aggravate anxiety. A good night's sleep will allow you to stay alert and focused.
Encourage a family member or friend who suffers with frequent panic attacks to seek treatment. Be aware that these attacks aren't hazardous, and they'll improve by seeking treatment.