After consulting with a physician who has diagnosed you with a panic disorder, you will be presented with treatment options. While a physician can recommend their opinion on the most effective way to treat panic disorder, the patient is the one who always has the final word. Before beginning a round of treatment for panic attacks, or any other medical condition, always make sure that you fully understand the methods and medications that are going to be used.
There are two common courses of treatment for panic attacks and anxiety disorders: medication and psychotherapy. Used alone or in combination, these two courses have been proven to alleviate or completely remove the symptoms of panic disorder and allow the patient to return to a normal lifestyle. There is no magic bullet cure for panic attacks however. No matter which course you choose it may be weeks before you begin to see signs of real improvement.
Medications For Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is usually treated medicinally with either anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications that have been approved by the FDA for use in treating the problem. As with all medications, serious side effects may occur if the medicines are taken improperly. Discuss any side effects or unusual symptoms that occur with your doctor or on call nurse immediately.
The most commonly prescribed anti-depressants for panic disorder are:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Escilatlopram (Lexapro)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
Known as selective serotonin uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, these have been shown to have the least serious side effects. Common side effects include nausea and sexual dysfunction. These side effects can be alleviated by switching medicines or adjusting dosages, under the direction of your doctor.
Other classes of anti-depressants may be used but have been known to have more frequent side effects. These include Tricyclics such as imipramine (Tofranil) and clomipramine (Anafranil), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil). MAOIs require strict dietary guidelines and can cause serious side effects if used alongside of some pain relievers and birth control pills.
Anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed instead of or alongside the anti-depressants. Because the body builds up a tolerance to many anti-anxiety medications, and because of the risk of either physical or mental addiction, these drugs are used for short term relief of symptoms and not as a daily medication.
Clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), and alprazolam (Xanax) are common anti-anxiety medications used to treat panic disorder and reduce panic attacks. All of these medications are considered tranquilizers and can impair ones ability to operate a car or perform difficult tasks. Never drive or drink alcohol in combination with these drugs.
Psychotherapy for Panic Disorder
Your doctor may also recommend psychotherapy to help treat your panic disorder. Psychotherapy involves discussing your illness with a trained psychotherapist to help you understand where the panic attacks are coming from and how to overcome and prevent them.
The most common form of psychotherapy used to treat panic disorder is known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In cognitive behavioral therapy you will learn how to change the way you think about situations that trigger panic attacks as well as learn how to cope with them better when they do occur. Recognizing exactly what is bringing on the panic attacks is key to addressing the situation once and for all.
Changing the way you react to a panic attack is also one of the goals of cognitive behavior therapy. This is important because panic attacks are often caused by the simple fact that you are afraid of having a panic attack. By changing what you do during an attack and reducing the effect that it has on your overall life, panic attacks become less worrisome and the fear of your next attack decreases which reduces the chance of you having one at all.
Conclusion
Panic disorder is recognized as a serious condition by the National Institute of Mental Health. If you believe that you suffer from panic disorder you should consult with your physician. Do not attempt to treat the illness on your own, particularly with medications that have not been prescribed to you. There is no quick and easy way to cure panic disorder, it will require a commitment on your part to follow the courses of treatment that your doctor recommends. With treatment and time, panic disorder can be overcome and you can return to a completely normal way of life.
Article Sources:
National Institute of Mental Health: Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
May Clinic: Panic attacks and panic disorder - Treatment and drugs
Eric Summers - Eric Summers is a freelance writer and software quality assurance analyst from Southern Indiana. Summers has been writing for over 20 ...
