Treatment For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor can conduct tests to determine if there are underlying medical conditions which may cause anxiety attacks. They can also assist you to understand strategies to manage your anxiety.
Treatments for anxiety like cognitive behavioral therapy as well as other psychotherapies are efficient. However, they can take time to work. They are effective short-term treatments for anxiety that is severe.
Medications
If psychotherapy is not enough to combat anxiety disorders, medication may be prescribed. The medication addresses the root imbalance of chemicals that cause the symptoms of anxiety attacks and can assist in managing the symptoms. Anxiety medications include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as sedatives. Talk to your physician about the best medication for you.
Your doctor will look at your symptoms and your family background when choosing the appropriate anxiety treatment for you. They will also consider your other health conditions and medications you are taking. They might recommend cognitive behavior therapy or a combination of therapy and medication. Biofeedback, exposure therapy and stress management techniques are all other methods that can be used for anxiety.
The most commonly used antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications reduce symptoms by correcting an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters that regulate mood. These include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Other antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants that work in exactly the same way as SSRIs do however they have less adverse effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should begin in a small amount and gradually increased as time passes. They can interact with specific medications, such as birth control pills, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.
Benzodiazepines are quick-acting drugs that can be prescribed to treat a severe anxiety attack. They target GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, which causes the brain to relax. These medications are prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorders and fears. Benzodiazepines should only be used for short-term use because they can become addictive. They also lose effectiveness if they are taken for more than 4 weeks.
When benzodiazepines aren't an option alternative sedatives are prescribed, such as alprazolam or clonazepam. These drugs are effective in treating panic attacks, but not as efficient as SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. They are also addicting and can disrupt your sleep cycle.
It is important to be honest with your doctor regarding your symptoms and how your medication works for you. Let them know about other methods you're using to manage your symptoms, and ask for regular follow-ups. You can also use Telehealth services like Doctor On Demand which is covered under certain Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota policies. These online services let you visit psychologists or psychiatrists on your smartphone or computer.
Cognitive therapy for behavioral problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular treatment for anxiety disorders, including panic attacks. It is a scientifically proven and effective treatment that addresses both the behaviors and thoughts that contribute to anxiety. The therapist will assist you to identify negative cognitions or thinking patterns and replace them with more positive ones. In addition the therapist can assist you to change your behavior by teaching you new skills to cope with the symptoms of anxiety. These techniques include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. The therapist may also give you homework to do between sessions. For example, tracking your anxiety levels, or doing an activity you've avoided because of it.
People with panic disorder tend to be susceptible to avoidance behaviors. This is due to the fear of another panic attack. Avoiding situations that can create anxiety, like crowded malls, elevators or highway driving is one method to avoid this. Avoidance behaviors can have a huge impact on the quality of life. This kind of anxiety could result in issues such as difficulty in concentrating at work, depression, or even alcohol abuse.
It is believed that panic disorders are caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. iampsychiatry.com like moving to a new home or the death of a loved one, are typical triggers for these disorders. Certain genes may increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders.
The aim of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help you learn to manage your fears and improve your overall quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in contrast to medication, addresses the root causes and helps you develop coping strategies that can help you in the future.
While this type of therapy can be effective for various anxiety disorders however, it can be a challenge initially. You will probably need to attend sessions for a couple of weeks before you start to feel better. There may be some setbacks, such as an increase in your symptoms, but this is normal. It is essential to keep going and remember that you will reap the rewards of your efforts.
Therapy for exposure
Psychotherapy and medication are two of the many options for treatment for those suffering from anxiety. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) helps a person recognize and modify negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that can cause or exacerbate anxiety attacks. This type of treatment usually includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to change negative patterns and learn better coping strategies. It also teaches people to overcome their fear of certain situations. It is essential to adhere to a plan of treatment. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions can make a person feel better within 10 to 20 weeks.
Exposure therapy is a method in CBT that requires you to repeatedly confront your fears that trigger. The therapist will create an approach to expose you to your fears in a secure and controlled environment. They can use in live exposure (real life) which is where you are exposed to your fears in a real-world environment, or virtual reality, where you are exposed to your fear in an immersive environment. In vivo is best for specific fears. The Therapist will gradually expose your fear to you until it becomes less extreme.
The treatment can be extremely intense. This may involve flooding that exposes you for a long time to a situation that causes anxiety. It can also include psychoeducation, cognitive processing, and behavioral therapy. It can be used to treat nearly all major anxiety disorders including post-traumatic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. It also works in easing social anxiety.
It is crucial to locate a professional with exposure therapy experience. Select a specialist who is registered with an association or network that deals with anxiety disorders. It is also a good idea to look up reviews. You can also request a referral from your doctor to a specialist. You can even join a support group for people with anxiety. Keeping physically active and using relaxation techniques can also help reduce anxiety. Avoid drinking or recreational drugs, and smoking cigarettes as they can all cause anxiety or increase it. Overworking yourself can increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are powerful medications that can treat anxiety quite effectively. They can be addictive and can cause severe side effects if taken frequently or for a long time. They are thus only prescribed to ease insomnia or extreme anxiety for a short period of time.
They work by slowing the nervous system and causes the body to relax. They can be taken orally, and taken as liquids, sprays or tablets. They can also be injecting directly into the vein. Benzos are used to treat generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia. They are especially useful when a patient is experiencing anxiety attacks that are severe because they can provide rapid efficient and immediate symptomatic relief. They can be prescribed as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments like CBT.
There are many different kinds of benzos, each possessing different effectiveness in terms of duration of action, and rate of absorption by the body. There is a connection between the duration of time a benzo used for and its propensity to be misused, which is why shorter-acting benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) are often preferred.
Taking benzodiazepines with other drugs like sedatives, opioid painkillers or alcohol can increase the risk of dangerous adverse side effects. These interactions can also increase drug effects and result in an overdose or even death. Additionally, benzodiazepines can interact with certain herbs or food items. If you are taking a benzo, then it is important to inform your physician and pharmacist of any other medication you are taking or plan to take.
When a person takes benzodiazepines to treat long-term anxiety the brain becomes dependent on it for functioning normally. This is known as physical dependence, and it can cause a number of symptoms including withdrawal, tolerance and craving. This type of dependence is different from addiction, which involves an uncontrollable and compulsive need to use the drug.
Benzodiazepines are extremely efficient and have no adverse effects when they are employed in the right way. They should only be used as a treatment when other options have failed or are not feasible. Non-drug approaches to anxiety management include meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy.