Treatment For Panic Attack

[Kim Connor]

Psychotherapy is an integral part of the treatment for panic attack.
Support is given to the patient to eliminate extreme fearfulness and
the feeling of something bad is going to happen. Sometimes,
psychotherapy is enough as a treatment for panic attack. However,
since the cause of panic attacks in most patients is not clear,
treatment varies from person to person. And in some, psychotherapy
alone may not be sufficient to eliminate the disorder.
Panic attacks occur in several people due to various reasons, some are
unknown. Symptoms include chest pains, fast heartbeat, numbness of the
hands or a tingling sensation, nausea, dizziness, difficulty in
breathing, loss of control, sudden terror that something bad is going
to happen, flushes and chills. Treatment for panic attack may involve
other therapeutic procedures other than psychotherapy.
Another treatment for panic attack is cognitive-behavioral therapy. In
this treatment option, the patient is taught how to deal with panic
attacks. Several techniques for breathing and muscle relaxation are
also being taught to the patient to alleviate the feeling of fear,
panic and other symptoms of panic attack disorder. The patient is also
reassured that nothing bad is going to happen and his thoughts and
fears will not lead to catastrophic events.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for panic
attack and a lot of patients respond positively. Reassurance combined
with relaxation methods enable patients to deviate their attention
away from their fears and anxieties thereby minimizing and later on,
eliminating incidences of panic attacks.
In some patients with severe panic attacks and find psychotherapy and
cognitive-behavioral therapy insufficient, medications such as
antidepressants are usually prescribed. An example of an
antidepressant medication prescribed by doctors is Tofranil. This
treatment for panic attack helps in reducing anxieties and minimizes
the occurrences of panic attacks. Patients generally respond to
antidepressants and they find comfort in knowing that they are taking
medications for treatment of panic attack.
SSRI's or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac,
Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft are more frequently prescribed by
the doctors for treatment of panic attack. In fact, these medications
are referred to as the first line of treatment for panic attack
disorders. Therefore, they can be regarded as the most effective and
most commonly used mode of treatment for panic disorders.
Anti-anxiety medications such as Ativan, Xanax and Klonopin are
prescribed at the start of medication therapy. When using medications
for treating panic attack, it always best to start with the lowest
possible dose and gradually increase depending upon the patient's
need.
Find out from my health blog how natural treatment for panic attacks
can help you to stop your problems in a harmless and yet effective and
instant way.