Treatment For Panic and Anxiety Attacks Psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle modifications are all part of the treatment process for panic and anxiety disorders Doctors can assist patients manage symptoms by determining the reason behind the attack They can prescribe benzodiazepines, such as diazepam Valium and alprazolam, or beta-blockers like propranolol Inderal which slows the heart rate Psychotherapy can help you overcome anxiety by speaking with a psychotherapist Psychotherapy A psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose anxiety and offer counseling People who suffer from frequent panic attacks consult an primary care physician, who may check for an underlying medical condition Depending on the cause of the panic, the PCP might refer the patient to a mental health professional The therapist could recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce anxiety Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people identify the actions and thinking patterns that trigger an episode of anxiety They include catastrophizing or imagining that the worst is about to happen This type of thinking may be linked to the amygdala's chemical imbalances and the brain circuitry that processes fear and anxiety The Therapist can help the client confront these thoughts in order to decrease the risk of an attack Another method is to understand how to manage the physical manifestations of panic attacks These include sweating and a pulse that is pounding The therapist may guide the client through controlled breathing, a technique known as mindfulness meditation, which promotes relaxation The therapist can also teach the client to develop a routine for sleeping that is efficient and stress-reducing strategies Therapists may use exposure therapy as a way to help people overcome the habit of avoidance that fuels anxiety For someone who suffers from agoraphobia for example, might be encouraged to confront their fears, like crowds or public transport -- one by one until they feel more comfortable Anti-anxiety, anti-panic, or benzodiazepines can help to reduce the severity of panic attacks However, they are not effective at treating the underlying causes of these attacks In the long run, these drugs can lead to addiction and dependence This makes it more difficult to stop the cycle Many therapists do not prescribe medication to treat panic disorder Some providers offer sliding scale fees for those with low incomes, or free services If you have insurance, contact your provider to find out what coverage they provide Some therapists offer online sessions, which can be beneficial for people who cannot afford to visit in-person Medications Doctors often prescribe medications to treat panic attacks in addition to therapy Some antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs have been proven to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of symptoms These medications help to stabilize levels of chemical messengers, referred to as neurotransmitters, in your brain Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs are the most commonly used medicines for panic attacks These antidepressants increase serotonin levels in the brain, which is a chemical that can affect mood SSRIs include sertraline Zoloft and the escitalopram Lexapro and paroxetine Paxil Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, another type of antidepressant, can also decrease anxiety symptoms by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in your brain These are a group of antidepressants that includes the venlafaxine Effexor and duloxetine Cymbalta Beta blockers, which are typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure or heart conditions they can also ease anxiety symptoms such as rapid heart rate sweating, trembling voice, and shaking hands Healthcare professionals rarely prescribe these medications for panic disorder, but they might be prescribed when a fearful situation triggers a panic attack Benzodiazepines can be used to https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-treatment symptoms quickly They can be addictive and withdrawal symptoms can be experienced if you suddenly stop taking them They can also be dangerous when combined with alcohol or other depressants Health care providers may only recommend them for short-term use If you are suffering from frequent panic attacks, your physician will conduct a physical examination and ask questions about your family history, lifestyle and other mental health conditions They will determine whether your attacks are caused by an illness, like thyroid issues and will also look for other factors like negative childhood memories or other stressors that can contribute to the symptoms The most important aspect in treating panic attacks is recognizing that they are not harmful and learning to deal with them If you have family members who could help, they can apply relaxation techniques and stay clear of caffeine and other stimulants that can cause them Lifestyle changes While everyone has moments of being anxious or experiencing panic attacks, when these feelings become persistent and intense and result in your life being significantly impacted, it may be time to seek out professional assistance In most cases, psychotherapy and medications are effective treatments for anxiety disorders Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy is a term used to describes various psychological treatment methods One of the most popular is cognitive behavioral therapy which teaches you to recognize and modify negative thoughts and emotions that cause panic attacks You can lessen or eliminate panic by changing your behavior and reactions Anti-anxiety medication can be useful in managing anxiety and panic These medicines, which are often referred to as tranquilizers, reduce the activity of the nervous system and provide the effect of sedation that makes you feel calmer Benzodiazepines like lorazepam and alprazolam, also known as Xanax r or Ativan r are frequently prescribed anti-anxiety medication A healthy lifestyle can be beneficial in reducing anxiety symptoms Regular exercise can help reduce stress, release hormones that make you feel good and boost mood Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and smoking can worsen anxiety symptoms It is also a vital aspect of a healthy life style At least eight hours of sleep every night can reduce anxiety symptoms and improve cognition Spending time with family and friends and taking part in social activities can reduce anxiety Joining a support group can also be a great opportunity to connect with others with similar concerns and learn that you're not the only one In addition, a wide variety of CAM complementary and alternative medicine practices, such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture, have shown promising results in reducing anxiety symptoms However, further clinical trials are required to confirm these findings In the meantime, you should try to engage in moderate exercise every day of the week Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, as well as whole grains Avoid foods that are processed, such as alcohol, caffeine, or sugar in order to reduce anxiety Also, avoid taking herbal supplements unless you discuss them with your healthcare provider first Counseling If someone is suffering from an attack of panic is experiencing panic attacks, they can experience different symptoms, including a pounding heart tightness in the chest shake, hyperventilation chills and dizziness They may also think they're dying or suffering from an attack on their heart The attacks usually peak within minutes and then fade away People who have them frequently might be diagnosed with panic disorder Your doctor will ask you to provide an extensive medical history and perform an examination to determine whether you are suffering from panic attacks You will be asked to describe your symptoms and the frequency they occur They will also check for any other health issues that may cause similar symptoms For example, a thyroid issue or heart disease Psychotherapy or talk therapy with a mental healthcare professional is the most effective method of treatment of anxiety and panic attacks It is generally advised to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist They can help you identify triggers and show you how to deal with They may prescribe antidepressants to ease symptoms and prevent recurrence Medications such as SSRIs selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, can decrease the frequency of your panic and anxiety attacks, but they won't make them completely go away If your medication isn't working the way you want, your doctor could alter the dosage or change to a different kind of medication A therapist or counselor could also help you manage your emotions You might also do cognitive behavioral therapy in order to address unhelpful beliefs and thoughts It can be a challenging process, but you will get the tools you need to manage your anxiety Family and friends can also provide assistance as you begin to deal with your symptoms More and more health professionals recommend that spouses and partners take part in the treatment process for emotional and physical support They can help you relax and calm when anxiety or panic attacks happen