www.iampsychiatry.com For Anxiety Attacks
A doctor may run tests to determine if there are underlying medical conditions that can trigger anxiety attacks. They can also instruct you on how to manage your symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy as well as other forms of psychotherapy can be effective treatments for anxiety. However, they may take a while to get results. Benzodiazepines are an emergency medication for severe anxiety.
Medicines
If psychotherapy isn't sufficient to treat anxiety disorders, medication can be prescribed. The medication can help control anxiety attacks by treating the underlying chemical imbalance that causes them. Anxiety medication includes antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as sedatives. Consult your physician to find out the best medication for you.
Your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms and your family background when choosing the appropriate anxiety treatment for you. They will also take into consideration your other health conditions, and any medications you take. They may suggest cognitive behavior therapy or a combination therapy and medication. Other therapies that are used to treat anxiety include exposure therapy, biofeedback and techniques for managing stress.
The most common antidepressants for anxiety are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). These medications reduce symptoms by correcting an imbalance in brain neurotransmitters that control mood. They include fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline. Tricyclic antidepressants work similarly to SSRIs, but have fewer negative side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants should begin with a small dosage and gradually increased as time passes. They can interact with specific medications, including birth control pills, acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for severe anxiety attacks. These drugs target GABA (gamma-aminobutryic) in the brain, which causes a calming affect. They are usually used to treat panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and phobias. Benzodiazepines are only recommended for short-term use as they can be addictive. They also lose their effectiveness if they are used for longer than 4 weeks at a time.
If benzodiazepines don't work Other sedatives may be 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 essential to communicate with your doctor regarding your symptoms and the way your medication works for you. Request regular follow-up visits and let them know how you are managing your symptoms. You can also consider telehealth services, such as Doctor On Demand, which is covered by certain Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans. These online services allow you to consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist using your smartphone or PC.
Cognitive therapy for behavioral problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the preferred treatment for anxiety disorders, which includes panic attacks. It is a well-established treatment that addresses both the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. The therapist will assist you to identify negative cognitions or thinking patterns and replace them with healthier ones. The therapist can also assist you to change your behavior by showing you how to deal with anxiety symptoms. These techniques include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation and exposure therapy. The therapist might also give you a task to complete between sessions. For example, tracking your anxiety levels or doing something you've stayed away from because of it.
People with panic disorder are often prone to avoidance behaviors. This is because they fear another panic attack. Avoiding situations that can trigger anxiety like crowded malls, elevators or highway driving is one way to avoid this. Avoidance behaviors can have a significant effects on your overall quality of life. This kind of anxiety could cause problems like problems with concentration at work, depression and even abuse of substances.
It is thought that panic disorders are caused by an interaction of environmental and genetic causes. Stressful life events like moving into a new home or the loss of the loss of a loved one are frequent triggers. It is also possible that certain genes are associated with a higher likelihood of developing anxiety disorders.
The purpose of cognitive behavior therapy is to assist you in learning to manage your anxieties and improve your overall quality of life. Contrary to medication that treat only the symptoms of anxiety, cognitive behavior therapy addresses the root causes of anxiety and helps you develop coping mechanisms that will be helpful in the future.
This kind of therapy can be difficult to start although it is effective in treating a broad range of anxiety disorders. You may have to go to therapy for several weeks before feeling better. It is normal to experience some setbacks. The most important thing is to stay to your plan and remember that your efforts will pay off.
Therapy for exposure
Psychotherapy and medication are two of the many treatment options available for anxiety attacks. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps people identify negative thoughts and emotions that could cause anxiety attacks or cause them to worsen. This kind of treatment typically includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps individuals to change their negative habits and develop better strategies for coping. It also teaches people to overcome their fears of certain situations. It's important to stick with a treatment plan. Regularly attending weekly therapy sessions will help patients improve their condition in 10 to 20 weeks.
Exposure therapy is a technique in CBT that involves repeatedly confronting your fear triggers. The therapist will devise an approach that exposes you to your fears in a controlled and safe environment. You can choose to use in live exposure (real life) in which you are exposed to your fears in a real-world setting, or virtual reality, in which you are exposed to your fears in a fully immersive setting. In vivo exposure is most effective for specific phobias. The therapist gradually exposes you to your fears until it is less threatening.
The treatment can be extremely intense. It can involve flooding where you are exposed for a prolonged period of time to a situation that causes fear. It may also involve psychoeducation, cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It can be used to treat a variety of major anxiety disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic disorder. It's also effective for anxiety related to social situations.
It is crucial to locate a professional with exposure therapy experience. You should choose someone who is registered with a national organization or network that deals with anxiety disorders. It is also a good idea to check for reviews. You can also ask for the recommendation of your doctor to an expert. You can join an online support group for people who suffer from anxiety. You can lower anxiety by staying physically active and by using relaxation techniques. Avoid drinking and recreational drug use and smoking cigarettes as they can all trigger anxiety or increase it. Overworking yourself can also increase anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines (also called benzos) are powerful drugs that can treat anxiety quite effectively. They can be addictive and have serious side effects when taken regularly or for an extended duration. They are only prescribed to relieve insomnia or extreme anxiety for a short period of time.
They function by reducing the nervous system, which causes relaxation and sedation. They can be taken orally, and taken in the form of sprays, liquids or tablets. They can also be injecting directly into the vein. Benzos can be used to treat panic disorder, insomnia and generalised anxiety disorders. They are especially useful for patients who are suffering from a major panic attack because they can provide rapid efficient and immediate relief of symptoms. They can be prescribed as a standalone treatment or as an adjunct with other treatments such as CBT.
There are many different kinds of benzos, each having a different effectiveness in terms of duration of action, and absorption rate by the body. There is a correlation between the duration of a benzo's usage and the likelihood of it being misused. Shorter-acting benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam are generally preferred.
Benzodiazepines can cause harmful negative side effects when used in conjunction with other drugs like sedatives and opioid painkillers. These interactions can also intensify the effects of drugs and lead to the death or overdose. Benzodiazepines can also interact with certain foods and herbs. It is essential to inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking benzos or planning to take other medications.
When a person uses benzodiazepines for a long time the brain becomes dependent on them to function normally. This is known as physical dependence, and it can cause a number of symptoms including withdrawal, tolerance and craving. This type of dependency is distinct from addiction, which is characterized by an uncontrollable and a addictive need to take substances.
When used correctly, benzodiazepines can be very efficient and have minimal adverse effects. They should only be considered as a treatment option when other alternatives have failed or aren't feasible. Non-drug approaches to anxiety management include cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation.