How to Treat Anxiety/Panic Attacks
Attacks is a question that can be answered in many different ways, depending on whom you ask. Anxiety attacks are severe episodes of anxiety that occur suddenly and sometimes with no particular reason. These episodes are generally debilitating and it can affect the way you live. You may experience these attacks during least expected moments. Anxiety attack symptoms can be very severe and often mimic heart and breathing problems. These attacks are commonly treated in two different ways. One is done through relaxation and psychotherapy. The other is achieved with the used of Medications.
Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation Techniques are one of the easiest ways of treating Anxiety attacks. You may also find that taking time to meditate decreases your chances of having an anxiety attack. Psychotherapy is also effective against anxiety and panic attacks.
• Deep Breathing Techniques – Deep breathing has long been used as a relaxation method. Proper deep breathing helps relieve hyperventilation (rapid breathing). If hyperventilation is not treated, it could lead to fainting and increased anxiety. Deep breathing involves inhaling through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth.
• Meditation – A lot of anxiety attack sufferer swear by meditation as a way to treat anxiety attacks. There are different ways to meditate, it could include a relaxing chant or sitting and standing in a specific position. You should meditate if you feel like you are on the verge of an anxiety attack.
• Psychotherapy – This treatment is also referred to as Talk Therapy. This involves you talking to a professional or a close friend or family member. In psychotherapy you explore the possible causes of your anxiety attacks. Once you have identified a cause, you can move on to find ways of treating it.
Medications to Treat Anxiety Attacks
You may find that relaxation and breathing techniques do little to help relieve symptoms of anxiety attacks. In cases like these, you may have to consider taking medication. Consult your physician to find out what type of medicines are right for you. Most of the time doctors prescribe their patients with the following drugs:
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) – First time anxiety attack sufferers are usually prescribed SSRIs. These are antidepressants that help relieve the different symptoms of anxiety attacks. Drugs that fall into this category include: Fluoxetine or Prozac and Sertraline, also known as Zoloft. SSRIs are effective in treating anxiety and panic attacks and have little or no negative side effects.
• Benzodiazepines – These drugs are mild sedatives. Drugs included in this category are Alprazolam or Xanax and Lorazepam – Ativan. Benzodiazepines can be addictive or induce dependence. To avoid that, you should not take these drugs with a prescription. Nor should you abruptly stop taking it.
Other drugs categories used in the treatment of anxiety attacks include BETA Blockers (Propanolol) and Monoamine Oxidase Inibitors (Phenelzine, Isocarboxazid or Marplan).
If one type of drug doesn’t work for you, your doctor may prescribe you with another kind. Until you find the right drug to treat your anxiety attacks.
D. More
Anxiety Panic Free Zone