Health & Medical Anxiety

Medication to Stop Panic Attacks is Not a Miracle Cure

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) consists of psychological help and counseling to enable a person suffering from panic attacks to understand, confront and eventually overcome the illness.
The best results are obtained by a combination of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and using the right medication to cure the attacks.
So lets find out the best treatment for anxiety.
This is where a lot of people go wrong and why it often does not produce the results they are supposed to.
While they can be very effective, they also have their downside in terms of side effects and patients need to be aware of these before embarking on a course of treatment.
Medications for panic attacks are meant to combat both these causes and not just suppress the symptoms, like a head ache pill.
That is why treating panic attacks with medication takes time.
Normal medically supervised medication to stop panic attacks consists of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Do not try to self medicate, based on your past experience with the medications or the fact that others have had success with them.
Side effects include nausea, irritation, insomnia and headaches.
SSRIs promote the production of these chemicals and help in reducing the intensity of the attacks and the ability to control them.
It is essential that you take the medications for panic attacks exactly as prescribed.
Many medications will have side effects so keep you doctor informed of any that you have not been warned about.
This will allow the medication to be changed if needed.
Beta Blockers like Atenolol and Propranolol are used only for the treatment of the anxiety physical symptoms such as convulsions, trembling and elevated heart beats.
The side effects in this case can include short term memory loss, dizziness, light headedness, drowsiness, and difficulty in concentrating.
Ensure that you understand all the instructions a doctor may give regarding the medication to stop panic attacks and the dosage - do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to be sure that you will be taking the medications for panic attacks exactly as you are supposed to - not taking the medications in the proper manner could result in making the problem worse rather than helping to cure it.
And be patient and do not expect miracles as the aim of the medication is not to provide temporary relief from the panic attacks but to attack the root cause of the problem and find either a permanent solution to prevent the attacks or at least a way to reduce the frequency and intensity and thus make them bearable.

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