What are the methods of treating panic attacks?
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Most people may experience one or more panic attacks in their lifetime. But these small moments in life do not lead to serious consequences. And some people experience them much more often.
What causespanic attacks , and how can you help a person if they have one?
- Ask the person what you can do.
- Convince the person that the panic attack will most likely pass in a few minutes.
- Make sure they can breathe slowly and steadily.
- Do not downplay the symptoms of a panic attack.
- If he or she has ever had one before, find out what to do and how he or she could have survived it.
- If the person does not calm down, you need to show him or her to a specialist.
If a person has had more than one panic attack in their lifetime, it may be due to depression, agoraphobia (fear of being in open or public places with a lot of people), or the use of large amounts of psychotropic medication. If a person has had two or more attacks, he or she should consult a specialist. That is, panic attacks and their consequences can be negative if you do not seek medical attention in time.
A doctor knowshow to treat a panic attack and will help you deal with the problem. Specialists usually prescribe psychological therapy, various medications, or both. Whichever method the specialist chooses together with you, it will take some time for it to give positive results, so you need to be patient. If you follow the prescribed treatment strictly, in most cases it will make your life easier and get rid of permanent problems.
Panic attacks symptoms and treatment
Frequent attacks of heart palpitations or other unpleasant sensations accompanying a panic attack can resemble other types of diseases, such as heart disease. Therefore, a specialist will first prescribe a full medical examination. After that, he or she will be able to understand that the symptoms are not signs of a disease that you did not know you had.
If he does not find any medical problems, he will then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for a consultation. Such specialists can quickly recognize panic attacks.
Your doctor will collect all the information he or she has received from the psychologist or psychiatrist, combine it with his or her own observations, and be able to diagnose the disease. If the attacks recur very often, doctors diagnose panic disorder.
Treatment usually begins with the so-called “talk therapy”. First, you need to come for a consultation with a specialist who will help you understand what panic disorder is and how to cope with this problem.
As you continue treatment, therapy should help you understand the situations, thoughts, and feelings that trigger your panic attacks. Once you understand the cause of the attacks, these triggers will be less likely to bother you and cause problems.
After the consultation, you should realize that the physical manifestations of the attacks are not actually causing you any harm. Together with your doctor, you will work on resolving the symptoms in safe and gradual ways until they become less frightening and intimidating for you. This therapy will also make panic attacks go away.
The specialist will also tell you about relaxation techniques that will help you quickly cope with attacks if they occur. For example, if you can control your breathing, then the attack will be easier. It will also help make it less likely that you will have an attack in the future. It is necessary to practice these skills in everyday life to get rid of the problem.
Sometimes, a symptom can also be sudden brain fog, or it may appear as a side effect afterward. If this happens, it is important to know how to quickly restore mental clarity.
Medication treatment
A specialist may decide that you need to take special medications on a regular basis that can help relieve the physical symptoms of panic attacks. This may be the beginning of treatment. Your doctor may prescribe:
- Antidepressants, which are mostly first-line medications that can prevent future panic attacks.
- Prescription medications for anxiety, such as a benzodiazepine. Doctors may prescribe other medications for people with substance use disorders.
You may have to change several medications during treatment before you find the one that works best. Many people need more than one medication.
What else will help with panic attacks
In addition to therapeutic treatment, you may also find that different daily habits go a long way in helping you manage your attacks:
- Practicing yoga or deep breathing helps the body relax and reduce stress levels.
- Special exercises help to calm your mind and offset the side effects of weight gain medications.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and drugs that can trigger seizures.
- Get enough sleep at night to feel more refreshed and rested during the day.
Some studies show the effectiveness of acupuncture. This is a Chinese technique that uses thin needles to insert into the body to control the flow of energy.
When it comes to nutritional supplements, there have been very few studies that prove their positive effect on reducing the number of panic attacks. A drug like inositol has shown some promise in small studies, but it's too early to say whether it's effective. If you want to use any nutritional supplements, you should consult a specialist, as they may have various side effects or be incompatible with some psychotropic medications.
The importance of support from loved ones
While you are undergoing treatment, it is best to have a loved one by your side who can help. You can attend a support group that will help you quickly cope with the problem in a circle of similar people.
Your family can also participate. Experts usually recommend therapy programs that involve spouses, partners, or other family members. They can help you practice different relaxation techniques or other methods of relaxation.
Be patient when you are around someone who has panic attacks. Do not scold or judge them. Learn the signs of stress to watch for changes in the person's behavior and reassure them. If your loved one is having an attack, you need to calm down and help them as much as possible.
You need to be patient
It will take some time to get rid of panic attacks. If you attend therapy sessions weekly, you will see results in 10-20 weeks. According to some studies, improvement begins in as little as 12 weeks. After 12 months, you will notice a significant improvement. It all depends on following the treatment plan developed by your medical team. Go towards your goal with confidence.
For more insights on mental clarity, well-being, and effective recovery methods, visit our website.