Why Treatment For Anxiety Attacks Isn't As Easy As You Imagine
Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can run tests to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions which may cause anxiety attacks. They can also assist you to understand strategies to manage your anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and other types of psychotherapy can be effective treatments for anxiety. However, they can take time to work. Benzodiazepines are a short-term medication for anxiety that is severe.
Medicines
If psychotherapy is not enough to cure anxiety disorders, medications may be prescribed. The medications can aid in managing anxiety attacks by addressing the underlying chemical imbalance that causes them. Anxiety medications include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as sedatives. Talk to your physician about the most effective medication for you.
When choosing the best anxiety treatment for you, your physician will consider your symptoms and your family background. They will also consider your other medical conditions and medications you are taking. They might recommend cognitive behavioral therapy or the combination of psychotherapy and medications. Other treatments that can be employed to combat anxiety include exposure therapy, biofeedback and strategies for managing stress.
The most commonly used antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications reduce symptoms by correcting an imbalance in brain neurotransmitters that regulate mood. These include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Other antidepressants are tricyclic antidepressants that work in the same way SSRIs do however they have less adverse effects. Tricyclic antidepressants must be taken with a small dosage and gradually increased as time passes. Certain medications, like birth control pills, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, can interact with tricyclic antidepressants.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for severe anxiety attacks. These drugs focus on GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, causing the brain to relax. These medications are prescribed to treat panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders and anxiety disorders. Because they can be addictive and can cause withdrawal, benzodiazepines should only be used for a limited time. They also lose effectiveness when they are used for longer than 4 weeks.
When benzodiazepines aren't an option Other sedatives may be prescribed, such as alprazolam or Clonazepam. These medications can be beneficial in treating panic attacks but they aren't as effective as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants. These medications can also be addictive and can disrupt your sleep cycle.
It is crucial to be honest with your physician about your symptoms and how your medication works for you. Make sure you have regular check-ups and inform them of how you are managing your symptoms. You could also try online health services, such as Doctor On Demand, which is covered by some Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans. These online services let you consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist via your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive therapy for behavior
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a preferred treatment for anxiety disorders, including panic attacks. It is a research-backed and effective treatment that targets both the thoughts and actions that cause anxiety. The therapist will assist you to recognize negative thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. In addition the therapist will assist you to alter your behavior by teaching you new strategies to manage the symptoms of anxiety. These techniques include breathing exercises along with progressive muscle relaxation, as well as exposure therapy. The therapist may also give you homework to do between sessions. For instance, keeping track of your anxiety levels or engaging in an activity you've avoided because of it.
People who have panic disorder typically suffer from avoidance behavior, which is motivated by the fear they'll suffer another panic attack. Avoiding situations that can trigger anxiety such as crowded malls, elevators or highway driving is one way to prevent this. These avoidance behaviors may have significant effects on your overall quality of life. This kind of anxiety can cause problems such as difficulties in concentrating at work or depression, or addiction to drugs.
It is thought that panic disorders are caused by the combination of environmental and genetic causes. Stressful life events like moving into a new residence or the death a loved one are common triggers. It is also possible that some genes are associated with a higher chance of developing anxiety disorders.
The purpose of cognitive behavior therapy is to help you learn to cope with your anxieties and improve your overall quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, unlike medication treats the root of the problem and helps you develop coping skills that can help you in the future.
This type of therapy can be difficult to begin with, even though it is effective in treating a broad variety of anxiety disorders. You may have to go to therapy for several weeks before feeling better. It is normal to experience some setbacks. The key is to stick to your plan and remember that your efforts will pay off.
Exposure therapy
There are many options for treating anxiety attacks, including psychotherapy and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps people identify negative thoughts and emotions that could trigger panic attacks or increase their severity. This type of treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a technique that teaches people how to change negative patterns and develop more effective coping skills. It also teaches people to overcome their fears of certain situations. It is essential to stick to a treatment program. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions could make a person feel better within 10 to 20 weeks.
CBT utilizes exposure therapy to help you confront your fears repeatedly. The therapist will devise a plan that exposes you to your fears within an environment that is safe and controlled. In live (real life) exposure is used in which you face your fears in the real world or in virtual reality, where you face your fear in a virtual environment. In vivo is best for specific fears. The therapist gradually exposes you to your fear until it becomes less severe.
This therapy can be intense. This may involve flooding that exposes you for a prolonged period of time to an environment that triggers anxiety. It can also include psychoeducation, cognitive processing, and behavioral therapy. It is used to treat nearly all major anxiety disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic disorder. It is also effective for anxiety related to social situations.
It is important to locate a specialist who has experience with exposure therapy. Select a specialist who is a member of a national network or association that treats anxiety disorders. Reading reviews is also an excellent idea. You can also ask for a referral from your doctor to an expert. You could even join an organization that helps people who suffer from anxiety. You can lower anxiety by staying physically active and using relaxation methods. Avoid drinking, recreational drugs and smoking, which could cause or worsen anxiety. Stress can also cause anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also known as benzos) are powerful drugs that treat anxiety very well. However, they are addictive and can cause serious side effects if taken regularly or long-term. This is why they are typically prescribed to treat short-term symptoms of severe anxiety or sleeplessness.
They work by reducing the nervous system, which causes sedation and relaxing muscles. They can be taken orally, and taken in the form of sprays, liquids or tablets. They can also be injected directly into the vein. Benzos are used to treat generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia. They are particularly useful for those who suffer from a panic attack, as they can provide instant and effective symptomatic relief. They can be prescribed as a separate treatment or as an adjunct with other treatments such as CBT.
There are a myriad of types of benzodiazepines, which differ in their effectiveness, duration of action and the speed at which the body absorbs the drugs. There is a connection between the duration of a benzo's use and the possibility of being misused. These benzodiazepines with shorter acting times like alprazolam are usually preferred.
Combining benzodiazepines with other medications such as sedatives opioid painkillers or alcohol can increase the risk of negative adverse side effects. These interactions can also enhance the effects of the drug and could cause an overdose or even death. Benzodiazepines also interact with certain foods and herbs. If you are taking a benzo, it is essential to inform your physician and pharmacist of any other medications you are taking or plan to take.
If a person takes benzodiazepines for long-term use, the brain becomes dependent on it to function normally. This is known as physical dependence, and can cause a range of symptoms, including withdrawal, tolerance, and craving. This type of dependency is different from addiction which involves an uncontrollable and compulsive need to take the substances.
Benzodiazepines are extremely effective and exhibit no adverse effects when employed in the right way. They should only be used as a treatment option when other alternatives have failed or aren't feasible. Alternative methods to manage anxiety include meditation and cognitive behavior therapy.