A The Complete Guide To Panic Anxiety Disorder From Start To Finish
Treatment For Panic Attacks To get treatment for panic attacks the first step is to see an experienced healthcare professional. The provider will ask you questions regarding your symptoms, and will conduct a physical exam. They will determine if there are any other conditions causing your symptoms. People with panic disorder may feel that their experiences aren't fully understood. They may be lonely from other people. Symptoms A panic attack is a moment of extreme anxiety or fear that occurs suddenly and usually without a specific cause. Symptoms can include chest pain or discomfort, palpitations (accelerated heart rate), breathing difficulties or feeling of choking, sweating and chills, and a sense that you are losing control. You might feel dizzy, unsteady and find it difficult to concentrate. People who suffer from this disorder feel anxious and tense during attacks, and worry that another attack will occur. They may avoid situations or places that they believe caused an earlier panic attack, and this can result in a condition known as agoraphobia, where you become afraid of being in open spaces or situations that would be difficult or impossible to escape from. If you have a loved one suffering from this condition, help them to detect an attack and attempt to calm them down when the symptoms occur. Encourage them to concentrate on a pleasant task such as counting to ten or naming objects around them. They can also try the technique of grounding, which involves rubbing something calming such as a handkerchief or blanket, or smelling a particular scent, such as mint. You should consult an expert in health care right away if you think you are experiencing a panic attack. They will perform an examination to confirm that your symptoms are not caused by a medical issue. If there is, they may refer you to a mental health professional like psychologist or psychiatrist. It is also advisable to talk with your doctor about any other mental health problems like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. You may suffer from depression, nightmares or flashbacks, or a sense of detachment if you have PTSD. You may have trouble sleeping or find it difficult to focus on your work or relationships. You may also experience suicidal thoughts in certain situations. You can find information and assistance from a variety of sources such as your GP, Kids Helpline, Mensline Australia or Lifeline. Some people may notice that their symptoms improve as they get older. Others will have frequent and intense panic attacks throughout their lives. Diagnosis People suffering from panic disorder are prone to recurring, unexpected episodes of intense fear that feel like they're having an attack on their heart or another serious medical problem. They fear having more attacks and stay away from situations where they could occur. The condition can cause serious issues which can affect relationships and at work. The symptoms can also disrupt sleep. There are two main treatment options: psychotherapy and medication. Talking to a mental health professional or doctor is the first step. The patient will be required to explain their symptoms and how often they happen. They must also answer questions regarding their family history as well as any other mental health problems. The doctor might run tests to rule out physical causes for the symptoms, such an imaging test or blood test. These tests are typically normal. If a doctor suspects that a patient has panic disorder they will ask the patient to describe their symptoms and the time they occur. The doctor will also conduct an assessment of the psychological condition. The doctor will ask about any other mental health issues that the patient has suffered from and the effects they have on the patient. The doctor will also want to know about the patient's current stress level and daily routine. A psychiatrist, who is a medical specialist in mental illness is able to diagnose and prescribe medication for panic disorder. Other health care providers who can help with treatment include psychologists and therapists, nurses and social workers. Psychotherapy (or talk therapy) is a form of treatment that involves talking with a licensed counselor or psychologist about the thoughts and emotions you experience. The goal is to change unhealthy behavior and thoughts that lead to panic attacks. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that is backed by research is the most widely used treatment for panic disorder. CBT teaches you new ways of thinking and behavior so that you can overcome your fears. Medications can be used alone or in combination with psychotherapy to treat anxiety disorder s. The most common medicines prescribed for this condition are antidepressants, anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines. Finding the right medication may take a while. It is important to tell your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing. Many people test several medications before finding the right one for them. Treatment Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and medications are two of the options for treating panic disorder. Talk therapy can help you control your fears and reduce anxiety attacks. Treatment can lessen the severity of symptoms and could even stop you from having to take other medications in future. Some people find that the combination of both treatments works best. A health professional will likely begin by conducting a physical exam to ensure that there isn't any medical issue creating your symptoms. If there isn't any medical issue, your doctor will probably refer you to an expert in mental health, like psychiatrist or psychologist. The majority of people who suffer from panic disorder will improve over time, especially those who seek medical treatment. But the rate of improvement varies from person to person. Some people have several months of symptoms followed by for a long time, they do not experience any symptoms. Some sufferers have persistent symptoms that do not completely go away. Your treatment plan will likely begin with cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of talk therapy can help you overcome negative thoughts that cause anxiety and anxiety. You will also learn to manage stress and develop relaxation techniques. These are skills that you must regularly practice to reap the most benefits. In certain instances your doctor may prescribe medication. This may be an antidepressant, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or an sedative. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for instance, has approved the benzodiazepines alprazolam and clonazepam for treating anxiety disorders. In addition tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and Clomipramine (Anafranil) have been proven effective in several double-blind studies. The FDA doesn't monitor herbal supplements and dietary supplements in the same way as medications and therefore, there are unknown risks or dangerous drug interactions. Although these supplements could be beneficial to some people, your health care provider may not recommend them. It's important to have the support of your family and friends, and to take good health care of yourself physically. Sleep enough and eat a balanced diet. Spend time with friends that are able to understand your situation and stay active. Prevention If you or someone you know has an anxiety attack it is important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. This could include your doctor, mental health professionals (such as psychologists or psychiatrist) or allied healthcare professionals like occupational or physiotherapist. A panic attack is an intense, sudden feeling of anxiety or terror. It can occur at any time and without a reason. They usually last for a short time and last about 5 to 20 minutes, but they may be more prolonged than that. When you experience a panic attack you may feel shaky and feel like your heart is racing, and you may experience chest pain or a sense of impending death. You might also experience other physical symptoms, including a pounding heart or a fluttering heart (heart palpitations) or the feeling that you are unable to breathe (shortness or breath). People with panic disorders often spend a lot of time worrying about whether they will have more attacks or what the attacks might mean. This can cause people to avoid situations that they fear could trigger an attack. This could have a huge impact on daily life and prevent them from doing what they would like to do. Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, are common in families. If a parent or sibling has the condition, a person has an increased chance of having it. develop it. Certain medical conditions like cardiac arrhythmias, asthma, IBS, and certain kinds of medications can be associated with panic disorder. You can avoid panic attacks by: Doing exercises for deep breathing to calm your body. You can take anti-anxiety medicines, but only under the supervision of your doctor and for a limited time. Talking with a psychotherapist who can guide you through strategies for managing stress and advise you on ways to cope with your anxiety. Avoiding sugar, caffeine and other stimulants that can cause anxiety. Getting enough sleep to help you stay alert and focused. Encourage the family member or a friend who suffers from frequent panic attacks to seek help. Keep in mind that panic attacks aren't harmful and will improve with treatment.