How to Treat Panic Attacks?

There are effective treatment options for panic attacks

A panic attack is an abrupt and intense sensation of fright or apprehension that occurs in some people, even in the absence of any peril situation. This attack can be quite unnerving and trigger further feelings of anxiety. The symptoms of a panic attack include profuse sweating, palpitations of the heart, breath shortness, trembling and choking sensations. Most people experience panic attack at some point of their life, but recurrent panic attacks can be an indication of disorder.

Panic disorders are completely curable health conditions. Research has proved that a medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both can effectively treat this disorder.

Medications for treating panic disorder

Medical science has invented several medicines which are safe and highly successful in treating panic disorder conditions. The medications for this health problem are categorized under two parts, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medicines. These drugs have the power to reduce the intensity of the panic attacks and reduce anxiety feelings.

Antidepressant drugs: These medicines were originally used to treat conditions of mood disorders like depression and bipolar condition. These drugs are now used to treat panic attacks with the same efficiency. The anti-depressant medicines reduce the severity of panic attacks and the overall anxiety levels.

The most commonly prescribed medicine for this problem is known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). This drug interacts with the brain’s neurotransmitters which are directly associated with mood. This medicine balance the chemical levels and regulates mood, reduces anxiety and improves sleep.

Anti-anxiety medicines: Doctors prescribe anti-anxiety medicines or tranquilizers for fast relief and anesthetizing effect. These drugs slow the pace of the central nervous system and aid in controlling the anxiety levels and reducing fear feelings. The drug,  Benzodiazepine is the commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medicine, which helps in calming the mind and reducing the severity of panic attacks.

Psychotherapy Treatment for Panic Disorder

Psychotherapy is another method of treating panic disorders by working directly on the mind of the patient. A mental health expert assists a client in venting out the unresolved and hidden thoughts, feelings and issues. A therapist can also aid a patient in developing healthier methods of thought and behavioral process that can help in effectively dealing with panic situations. The psychotherapy is again categorized into two forms namely, cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy: This therapy is generally considered as the most effective treatment for panic attacks, disorders and conditions of agoraphobia. This treatment method focuses on the thought and behavior patterns of a person, which can trigger panic attacks. It helps the patient view fear from a realistic angle. The patient is made to realize that every situation is a normal incident and cannot lead to disastrous outcomes. Panic feelings start reducing over passage of time with this realization.

Exposure therapy: In this therapy, a simulated environment which can give rise to panic feelings in patients is created by the physician. This safe and controlled environment exposes the patient to actual panic sensations and helps them deal with it in a better manner. With each exposure, patient tends to understand the internal changes in a better manner and gains control of the panic symptom. The same treatment method is used to cure various phobias like agoraphobia.

 Overview

Overall, the options for treatment of panic attacks should be assessed by a therapist or a doctor. The most important aspect in this treatment is that the patient should be treated like a normal human being. The tone with which the therapist speaks to him can work wonders for his recovery. The doctor, in close association with the patient, works out a treatment plan for panic disorder. Sometimes, the formulation of this plan itself can start minimizing the percentage of panic attacks.