How To Treat Panic Attacks

Imagine that you are sitting at your desk at work as you normally do, nothing around you has changed it is just an average day. For some reason, however your body begins react in a very strange manner. Your hands begin to shake and you feel like you are smothering, all the while you are pretty certain that the world is about to end! This is some of what you might feel during a panic attack. The first question that will come to mind is how to treat panic attacks!

There are several options on how to treat panic attacks. The first step is to seek medical attention immediately. While a panic attack will not harm you physically, there is a remote chance that what you are experiencing could be another medical problem such as heart attack. Ruling out other medical problems a necessary step in how to treat panic attacks.

Once your doctor has ruled out any other possible problems you can begin to discuss treatment options for anxiety. There are several possibilities however most of the time it will be a culmination of many techniques.

Therapy

Research has shown cognitive behavior therapy is the best answer in how to treat panic attacks. Cognitive behavior therapy or CBT is a method that focuses on readjusting your manner of thinking. The underlying principle is that the thought processes affect emotions and behavior. Since panic attacks can originate in your thought processes it, makes since that CBT would have a positive effect. CBT is not an overnight treatment, it takes time and repetitive therapies to see results but when you do, they are long term and even permanent in many cases.

Medication

In severe situations when panic is causing significant problems in your life your might want to consider medication in conjunction with therapy. Medications such as Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin are tranquilizers and even though there is some concern with addiction, they can be helpful during severe attacks. When you are dealing with the anxiety and panic, you will do almost anything to figure out how to treat panic attacks.

For less severe episodes of panic anti-depressants, MAOI’s, beta-blockers and SSRI’s can also be helpful. The main difference between these drugs and tranquilizers is that these take longer to affect the panic. You basically must take them for several weeks before they will have any effect on your panic attacks.

Finally

How to treat panic attacks can seem like a big question with many answers. You will likely find that some will work better than others will and some may not work at all. However, with a little research you will find a treatment plan that will take care of your panic attacks.

I suggest you check out my other guide on anxiety panic disorder and panic disorder symptoms

How To Treat Panic Attacks

how to treat panic attack

How To Treat Panic Attacks

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