Helping You take Care Of A Panic Attack

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July 11th, 2009 anxman Leave a comment Go to comments

A panic attack comes on suddenly, without any warning. You may start to sweat while your heart races and dizziness sets in. Your limbs may tingle, you will often have pain in your chest and you will undoubtedly feel out of control within your own body. People may have an attack while driving, in a crowded room or at work. Out of the 2 to 6 million people who have occasional panic attacks, only 5% have the serious debilitating form of the panic attack disorder. Whether you suffer a lot or a little, understanding anxiety and learning about treatment options can be very beneficial.

One way to treat a panic attack, particularly a severe panic attack, is with panic attack medication. One class of effective drugs is a category of antidepressants called Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). Since many people who have symptoms of panic attacks also have symptoms of depression, these medications are often the first treatment choices. You may know these drugs by names like Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft and Paxil.

Psychotherapy is another effective way to treat this disorder. Since panic attack anxiety is rarely physical so much as it is mental, it’s imperative that patients understand what personal triggers may cause these episodes. Changing cognitive patterns is often the key to overcoming an attack. Breathing and relaxation techniques are very therapeutic for highly anxious persons. Weekly meetings are often recommended initially and improvements can usually be seen within the first several weeks. After a few weeks, maintenance therapy once a month will usually ensure that the panic attack help has been successful.

The root cause of a panic attack could be a number of things. Some people have an attack while they’re drinking or taking drugs. Others may feel panicky in enclosed spaces, in social situations or while driving. To cure panic attacks, an individual must adhere to the treatment plan, whether it is medication, psychotherapy or the necessary lifestyle changes. Omitting caffeine, exercising more, meditating and sleeping better are all great ways to reduce anxiety and stress.