Panic Attack Treatment

Millions of people the world over suffer from panic attacks, a type of anxiety disorder. Symptoms may include feelings of choking, throat swelling, shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties, pounding heart, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, hot flashes, chest pain, tingling in fingers or toes, paralyzing fear or trembling. Panic attacks are especially frightening since they so often seem to happen out of the blue.

Because of the individual nature of anxiety disorders, panic attack treatment may require trying a number of different options before you discover what works best for you. Anxiety is complicated, so a multi-pronged approach is often most effective.

Medication

Many medications are available to reduce general anxiety and improve feelings of well-being and self-confidence. Benzodiazepines work by slowing brain activity. SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin available to the brain. Although it is not known precisely why, a healthy level of serotonin in the brain corresponds with reduced anxiety and depression. Beta blockers, typically used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems, can diminish anxiety by blocking the effects of the stress hormone, norepinephrine. Talk to your doctor to find if these or other medications might help you.

Relaxation Techniques

Although there are myriad reasons why people have panic attacks, from heredity disposition to medication side effects to post traumatic stress disorder, panic attack treatment should include learning and using relaxation techniques to reduce general anxiety and stress.

Breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, deep breathing, breath counting and alternative breathing are effective ways to ease most kinds of stress and stress-related conditions. Progressive relaxation slows pulse and respiration rate, decreases perspiration and lowers blood pressure. Meditation, visualization and self-hypnosis can all be used to create feelings of calm and well-being.

Coping Techniques

Panic attacks are most difficult to deal with when you are in the midst of one. Therefore, panic attack treatment should include coping mechanisms to help you get through them. Since people experiencing panic attacks often feel like they are dying of a physical ailment like heart attack or choking, it’s often helpful to remind yourself that you are having a panic attack and that people don’t die of panic attacks.

Stay in the present, acknowledge your feelings and accept what is happening. Asking “what if” questions or fighting your symptoms will only cause more anxiety and stress. And once you realize you can get through them, you may be less likely to have them.

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