Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can conduct tests to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions that can cause anxiety attacks. They can also help you to learn strategies for managing your symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy as well as other forms of psychotherapy are effective treatments for anxiety. They may take a while to take effect. Benzodiazepines can be used as an in-between treatment to treat severe anxiety.
Medicines
When psychotherapy alone isn't enough, medication may be prescribed for those suffering from anxiety disorders. The medications can aid in managing anxiety attacks by addressing the chemical imbalance that causes anxiety attacks. Antidepressants, tranquilizers and sedatives are all anxiety medication. Talk to your doctor to determine the most effective medication for you.
When deciding on the best anxiety treatment for you, your physician will take into account your symptoms and family background. They will also take into consideration your other health conditions, and any medications you take. They might recommend cognitive behavioral therapy or the combination of psychotherapy and medications. Other treatments that are utilized to combat anxiety include biofeedback, exposure therapy and stress management techniques.
The most commonly used SSRIs are antidepressants that are used to treat anxiety. These medications correct the imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain that controls mood. These include citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline. Other antidepressants are tricyclic antidepressants, which work the same way SSRIs do however they have less adverse effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should be started in a small amount and gradually increased over time. Certain medications, such as birth control pills, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, may interact with tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for severe anxiety attacks. They target gamma-aminobutryic acids, or GABA, in the brain to create the brain to relax. They are typically prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines should only be used for short-term use since they can become addictive. They also lose effectiveness if they are taken for longer than 4 weeks.
If benzodiazepines aren't a viable option alternative sedatives are prescribed, like alprazolam or Clonazepam. These drugs are effective in treating panic attacks but not as efficient as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs are also addictive and can disrupt your sleep cycle.
It is essential to communicate with your doctor about your symptoms and the way your medication is working for you. Ask for regular follow-ups and let them know how you are managing your symptoms. You can also use the telehealth service, such as Doctor On Demand which is covered under certain Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota policies. These online services allow you to consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist on your phone or computer.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
The preferred treatment for anxiety disorders and panic attacks is cognitive behavior therapy. It is a proven therapy that targets both the behaviors and thoughts that contribute to anxiety. The therapist will assist you to identify negative cognitions or thinking patterns and replace them with more positive ones. The therapist can also help you improve your behavior by showing you how to deal with anxiety-related symptoms. These techniques include breathing exercises as well as progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. Therapists can also give you homework activities to do between sessions, like monitoring your anxiety or participating in an activity you've been avoiding because of it (like talking to strangers at a gathering).
People suffering from panic disorder are usually prone to avoidance behaviors. This is because they fear another panic attack. This can include avoiding situations likely to trigger anxiety, like crowds in shopping malls, elevators, highway driving or walking by themselves. These behaviors of avoidance can have a significant impact on your life quality. This kind of anxiety can result in issues such as difficulty concentrating at the workplace and depression, as well as addiction to drugs.
The root of panic disorders is believed to be a result of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Life events that stress us, such as moving into a new residence or the death the loss of a loved one are frequent triggers. It is also possible that some genes can increase the chance of developing anxiety disorders.
Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to help you manage your anxiety and improve the quality of your life. Unlike medication that treat only the symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavioral therapy tackles the root cause of anxiety and helps you develop strategies for coping that can be helpful in the future.
Although this kind of therapy can be effective for various anxiety disorders however, it can be a challenge at first. You may need to attend therapy for several weeks before you begin to feel better. You might have some setbacks, such as an increase in your symptoms but this is not unusual. The most important thing is to stay to your plan and remember that your efforts will pay off.
Therapy for exposure
There are many treatments for anxiety attacks, such as psychotherapy and medications. Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, aids individuals identify unhealthy thoughts and emotions that can cause anxiety attacks or cause them to worsen. This type of treatment usually includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which teaches people to change negative patterns and learn better coping strategies. It teaches people to overcome their fears in certain situations. It's important to stick with a treatment program. Making it a habit to attend weekly therapy sessions can help a patient improve their condition in 10 to 20 weeks.
CBT uses exposure therapy to help you confront your fears repeatedly. treating anxiety will develop an approach to expose you to your fears in a secure and controlled environment. They can employ in live exposure (real life) in which you are exposed to your fears in a real-world environment, or virtual reality, where you are exposed to your fear in an immersive environment. In vivo is the best option for specific phobias. The therapist gradually exposes you to your fear until it is less threatening.
This therapy may be very intense. It can involve flooding, in which you are subjected to a frightening circumstance for a lengthy period of time. It could also involve psychoeducation, cognitive processing and behavioral therapy. It's used in almost all of the major anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It's also helpful for anxiety related to social situations.
It is essential to find a doctor who is familiar with exposure therapy. It is important to choose a specialist who is registered with a national association or network that deals with anxiety disorders. Reading reviews is also an excellent idea. You may also request an appointment from your doctor to an expert. You can even join an online support group for those with anxiety. You can lessen anxiety by staying physically active and using relaxation methods. Avoid alcohol or recreational drugs, and smoking, as they can all cause anxiety or worsen it. Overworking yourself can also increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also known as benzos) are powerful medicines which treat anxiety well. They can be addictive and have serious side effects when used frequently or for a long time. They are only prescribed to ease extreme insomnia or anxiety for a short time.
They work by reducing the nervous system and causing sedation. They can be taken orally in the form of tablets, liquids or sprays, and can be injected into a vein. Benzos can be used to treat insomnia, panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorders. They are particularly effective when a patient is suffering from an intense panic attack as they can offer quick efficient and immediate relief of symptoms. They can be used on their own or as an adjunct to other treatments, like CBT for anxiety.
There are several different types of benzos, each having different effectiveness, duration of action, and rate of absorption by the body. There is a correlation between the amount of time a benzo is used for and its potential to be misused, which is why shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are generally preferred.
Benzodiazepines can trigger harmful negative side effects when used in conjunction with other drugs like sedatives and opioid painkillers. These interactions can also intensify the effects of drugs, leading to an overdose or even death. Benzodiazepines can also interact with certain food items and herbal products. If you are taking a benzo, it is essential to inform your doctor and pharmacist of any other medicines you are taking or planning to take.
When a person takes benzodiazepines long-term, their brain is dependent on them to function normally. This is referred to as physical dependence and can cause a range of symptoms, including withdrawal, tolerance and craving. This type of dependency is different from addiction which is characterized by an uncontrollable and a addictive need to take substances.
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 when other alternatives have failed or aren't feasible. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mediation are non-drug techniques for managing anxiety.