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Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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Panic attack

Drugs used:

– Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors;
– Benzodiazepines.

Medications used to treat disorders caused by panic:

– Antidepressants combined with neurotransmitter effects;
– Tricyclic antidepressants;
– Monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Specialized associations recommended that patients should be monitored if there are increasing cases of anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, insomnia, impulsivity, hostility and anger. Children should be monitored closely for these events, since they are unable to control events like adults can, therefore, having a higher risk of suicide. Antidepressants are recommended but under medical supervision.

Other treatments

Yoga

Other treatments

– Counseling:

– Cognitive behavioral therapy is most effective in treating panic attacks;

– Exposure therapy, a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy;

– Family therapy helps loved ones to understand what panic attacks are and maintain good relationships. Materials like videos, audio books can help fight panic attacks and anxiety;

– Support groups are usually good places for sharing information, problem solving ideas and emotions in relation to panic attacks. There are also established online discussion forums;

– Relaxation exercises. Can be useful for reducing anxiety and stress:

– Breathing exercises;

– Progressive muscle relaxation, reduces muscle tension by relaxing individual muscle groups;

– Massage for shoulder and neck;

– Aromatherapy, which uses flavored oils (essential oils) from plants – promoting relaxation;

– Yoga, tai chi, and qi gong exercises are forms of meditation. Typically needs special training;

– Physical leisure activities help relax the mind and are usually combined with muscle relaxation:

– Autogenous training are used to bring the body to a normal state after a stress;

– Hypnosis prepares the brain for suggestions that removes stress, changing your reaction to stressful situations;

– Regular meditation involves low frequency breathing and lasts for 15 to 20 minutes;

– Artwork (viewed): The power of the imagination for relaxing and reducing nervous tension caused by stress. The body responds to the projected images in mind. Use’s simple and reviving exercises to relax;

– Music therapy relaxes the body, improves mood and change the course of the day;

– Humor therapy has become more accepted as a way of reducing stress and boosting the immune system of the body.

Disorders caused by panic cannot be totally prevented, but they can be reduced with appropriate treatment. By simply avoiding situations or places,  is not a guarantee that a panic attack can not occur in new circumstances. In fact, avoiding situations and places where a panic attack occurred increases anxiety.

It is possible to reduce the severity of a future attack by:

– Following a treatment for reducing anxiety;
– Limiting triggers like caffeine and alcohol;
– Continuing medical treatment and counseling;
– By contacting your doctor if symptoms worsen.

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