Panic Attack Treatment
October 23, 2009 by Panic Disorders · Leave a Comment
Anxiety is a serious medical problem. Panic attacks, which are one of the effects of Anxiety disorder, must be treated or they will often become much worse. It is not uncommon for anxiety attacks to spin out of control until they have taken over a person’s life. Getting help to stop panic attacks is essential, so that they are not allowed to worsen.
With any medical condition, the right treatment will often depend on the patient. Treatment must be chosen based on what the patient and his or her doctor both feel is right. Even if one of the below approaches fails, there will be another that will work for you.
Feeling positive and hopeful in regards to your treatment is a good indicator of the level of success it will have.
These are the most often used methods of treating anxiety:
Medications Prescribed for Anti-Anxiety
A large number of medications are designed to treat anxiety. These drugs are primarily found in the benzodiazepine family, and include such medications as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan. Some other drugs are not designed exclusively for the purpose of treating anxiety or panic attacks, but do have the side effect of reducing anxiety levels, such as anti-depressants. Generally these drugs are taken as needed, but sometimes are taken on a regular schedule so as to reduce constant anxiety problems.
Medications such as these can be quite successful in handling anxiety and panic, but they do not cure the problem, they merely medicate it when it occurs. These medications are also highly addictive, so caution should be used when taking these drugs.
Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy for Anxiety
Many patients consider hypnosis an excellent drug free option for the treatment of anxiety. Hypnotherapy fights anxiety by using deep relaxation to allow a person to be open to sharing the causes behind the anxiety. Hypnotic suggestion is then used to make the brain respond to those causes in a different way.
However, anxiety can present a real problem in hypnosis. Many people who suffer from anxiety are unable to relax sufficiently to be hypnotized. Hypnotherapy is also less effective on panic attacks. Especially in the case of severe panic attacks, hypnosis alone will not generally be sufficient to combat the problem. Most hypnotherapists who take on new patients with severe panic attacks will insist on the patient getting concurrent cognitive therapy or psychological counseling.
There are some self-hypnosis techniques that, when used in a calm and safe atmosphere, can help deal with anxiety. However, these are not effective treatments for panic attacks.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used in the treatment of anxiety and a number of other conditions. CBT works by seeking out improper thought patterns and retraining them. Since the way that a person views a situation is altered, it is possible to also alter their reaction to it.
CBT can be effective for anxiety and panic attack patients, but it is a long process. Typically, CBT involves a series of mental exercises that must be performed regularly. While it does take some dedication on the part of the patient, this is a quite effective treatment. CBT allows panic and anxiety to be truly eliminated, so it is a cure rather than a short term fix.
