Panic Attack Treatment

What exactly causes panic attacks is not clearly known, but the predisposition for panic disorder is usually genetic. Stressful situations can trigger panic attacks, e. g. Getting divorced, having a baby, the death of someone close, or losing your job. The ways to receive panic attack treatment are with medication, therapy, or both.

Cognitive behavioral therapy involves changing the brain’s thought process and the behavior that triggers a panic attack. This helps the patient see their fears in a more positive way.

This is how cognitive behavioral therapy works: Let’s say you’re driving and suddenly you have a panic attack. You’re going to feel as though you’ve lost control and think that you are going to collide with another vehicle because you are so terrified. In actual fact, nothing is terrible will happen. During cognitive behavioral therapy you will be taught this.

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During exposure therapy, you will be subjected to the physical experience of panic. This is done in a controlled, safe environment. You may be asked to hold your breath, hyperventilate or shake your head uncontrollably. With each session your brain will start to become less scared of the physical symptoms of panic and you will develop more control of the disorder.

Therapy is therefore a very effective panic attack treatment. Most people report a significant reduction in symptoms after about six sessions. The key to the success of therapy is that your mind learns to cope with, and even prevent, panic attacks. Other successful therapies are hypnosis, talk therapy, acupuncture and biofeedback.

Drugs are often required to treat patients with serious panic disorder. For fast relief of panic attacks, benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed, but the problem with these drugs is that people become addicted to them quickly.

Anti-depressants are often used to treat people suffering with panic disorder. They do not, however, give relief once a panic attack has started. It may take weeks before the patient notices any improvement.

Medication is effective in getting panic disorder controlled. Once the disorder is manageable, you will need to make certain lifestyle changes that include healthy eating, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.

Self-help is essential, and you will benefit by learning about panic disorder and why it happens. Read literature on the subject and you’ll soon realize that you’re not ‘mad’ and that millions of people around the world have come to terms with panic disorder.

Try to stay away from caffeine and smoking – both can cause a panic attack, or make it worse. Don’t take medications like diet tablets or certain medications for colds that contain substances that keep you awake.

Learn how to breathe correctly. During a panic attack, we hyperventilate. This causes other symptoms such as tightness in the chest, dizziness or light-headedness. Breathing slowly and deeply during a panic attack will relieve the symptoms and calm you down.

Meditation and yoga are also highly recommended to help your body relax. When muscles are relaxed, they can cope with the anxiety and fear associated with panic attacks. An added bonus is that yoga and meditation are known to stimulate feelings of happiness.

Another great panic attack treatment based on the cognitive behavioral model with no drugs is Panic Away.  The program is definitely worth checking out, and after all, if it doesn’t work, you can always get your money back.  Most people say it helps them though.

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