Panic Attack Treatments

Methods of treatment may vary from person to person, depending on his/her conditions, symptoms, lifestyle and frequency of attacks. Typically however, treatment involves psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medication. Other treatments that can be employed are meditation, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and herbal treatment.

Anti-Anxiety Medications

Anti-anxiety medications can provide quick relief from the symptoms of panic attack. Benzodiazepines take almost immediate effect, usually within 30 minutes to an hour. However, Benzodiazepines are highly addictive and can have some serious withdrawal symptoms. Anti-depressant drugs need to be taken continuously before you begin to notice the effects, usually for up to 6 months to a year. You cannot just take anti-depressant drugs just during an attack.

Due to the powerful nature of the medications involved, they are usually only available via prescription. Therefore, only those who are diagnosed with panic disorder (or recurring panic attacks) can acquire these types of drug.

Psychotherapy

Panic attacks, as well as panic disorder, agoraphobia and other phobias and related conditions can be treated effectively by psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or cognitive behavior therapy as it is sometimes called, is proven as an effective way to reduce the symptoms of panic attacks or completely eliminate the condition. CBT focuses on changing the thinking pattern of the person from negative to positive thoughts, as well as changing the way a person reacts or behaves when he or she encounters an emergency, or other similar situation which can trigger an attack.

Another treatment similar to CBT that is worth mentioning is exposure therapy. This method helps the person overcome his fear, by letting him face those fearful situations in a controlled and safe manner. The result of this technique is that the person learns how to react positively in what he thinks are fearful situations. Moreover, through this experience, the patient learns that the situations he fears are not actually harmful or dangerous.

In many cases, either medication or therapy alone is enough to completely treat the condition, but other cases require both treatment methods to effectively treat the panic disorder.

Meditation & Relaxation Techniques

Meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques have proved effective in reducing the chances of experiencing another attack. Such practices help calm the mind and relax the muscles. Regularly performing these exercises and techniques strengthens the body's relaxation response.

Natural Herbs

Natural herbs such as Bacopa monnieri (which contains bacopin), Ginkgo biloba, Passiflora (passion flower), Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort, which contains hyperforin), Griffonia simplicifolia (which contains 5HTP, short for 5-hydroxytryptophan), Camomile, or Rhodiola, are equally effective since they have natural anti-stress properties. In some cases, using these herbs is sufficient to combat panic attacks.

Fresh leaves can be made as tea, some are also available over-the-counter in oil, tincture, capsule, or powder form. Possibly the best thing about these natural herbs, is that they do not produce the same side effects as compared to the mainstream anti-anxiety and anti-depressant prescription medications.

Joe Barry, a former sufferer of panic attacks and general anxiety disorder, has developed an all natural method of eliminating general anxiety and panic attacks.

This approach is based on advanced psychology, but presented in a simple way so that anyone can apply it. Not only does in do away with panic attacks, but it also aims to reduce your general anxiety level. It achieves this without the use of any medication or alternative therapies.

• Get rid of your anxiety


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