Methods of Treating Panic Attacks
Medication, relaxation techniques and behavioral therapy are the common ways used in treating panic attacks, with medication being the most popular method. However, before any patient is put on medication, it is important that he/she is evaluated by a mental health professional.
Here are, in brief, how to provide treatment of panic attacks:
Medications such as sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, or fluvoxamine help relieve anxiety and stress, and are often the first choice of medication administered to a patient.
Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and clonazepam help too. The problem with allopathic medication is that a patient begins depending on it and gets addicted to these medications, sometimes even for life. Also, if this medication is stopped abruptly, then panic attacks may recur. The medication is usually prescribed for 3-6 weeks (once daily), but the doctor is the best person to decide the dosage and the time period.
Relaxation techniques, which a patient can practice at home, are effective too in controlling panic attacks. As these relation techniques are natural in nature, there are no side effects involved. However, the flip-side is that a patient will be in no mood to try out these techniques unless his mind is calmed instantly, which is something only medication can do.
Apart from these, there is also behavioral therapy, which is nothing but psychotherapy and counseling based on the cognitive model of emotional response. The therapist teaches and trains a patient and makes him realize that it is the way he thinks that causes the panic attack. Then the therapist trains the patient to replace this destructive thinking with positive thoughts, which will over a period of time stop the panic attacks.
