Psychotherapy
When it comes to panic disorders and panic attacks psychotherapy is an effective treatment. It can help you to understand why you’re having these attacks and the underlying cause for the disorder. One form of psychotherapy is called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and it can teach you, through experiencing it, that the panic symptoms are not dangerous, even if they feel as if they are. The therapist will recreate symptoms in a safe environment and in a repetitive manner. Once the symptoms no longer feel threatening, the panic attack begins to become less frequent. It can also help to introduce you back into the situations that you once avoided because of the attacks. Treatment takes time and can be hard but with perseverance you can find that panic symptom begin to fade within a couple of weeks and can decrease significantly over a couple of months. Once you believe the panic symptoms are resolving, you can book maintenance sessions to ensure that your panic attacks and disorder remains under control.
Medication
Either at the same time as psychotherapy or if it’s a better option for you, you can take medication to reduce the symptoms of panic attacks and they can also act as an anti-depressant. This medication does not stop panic attacks but can help manage and control them.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — These are anti-depressants and are recommended mainly as the first choice for panic attacks. These medications include drugs like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva).
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) — Another type of anti-depressant such as venlafaxine (Effexor XR).
- Benzodiazepines — Used on a short-term basis, these anti-depressants work with the central nervous system and include medication like alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin).
It can take several weeks to see a difference when using medication for a panic disorder. You doctor may also recommend switching if one does not work, or even mixing certain medication for better effect.
Things to do at Home
Self-care treatment won’t stop panic attacks but it can reduce the likelihood of them happening.
- Make sure to stick to the treatment plan you have put in place with your therapist. You need to face your fears even in your own home.
- You can always join a support group with other people who suffer from panic disorders and you can connect and remember that you are not alone.
- Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs which can make panic attacks worse and even trigger them.
- Learn about relaxation techniques and stress management like muscle relaxation, deep breathing and yoga.
- To exert some pent up energy and to help you relax and give you a calming mood consider physically activity. The endorphins will reduce the likelihood of panic attacks.
- Make sure to get sufficient sleep to avoid drowsy moods.