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Panic Attack Treatments: (Anxiety Attacks)
A Review of Your Options, Including Panic Attack Medication
by Tess Thompson. Brought to you by Native Remedies.
If you suffer from panic attacks, you are familiar with brief episodes of terror that can overtake your life for short periods of time. Panic attacks usually occur suddenly, unpredictably and without a logical cause, and can leave those who suffer from them shaken and upset. Panic Disorder, however, is a largely treatable condition, and there are a variety of highly effective psychological, behavioral and medical treatments you can explore with the help of a professional.
Panic attacks begin most often during young adulthood, are sometimes hereditary and occur more often in women, but they can affect people of any age, sex or background. Attacks can last for a few minutes or for an hour, but most peak after about 10 minutes. For many people, symptoms of an attack include sweating, nausea, trembling and rapid heart beat.
Many professionals agree that the most effective treatment for Panic Disorder and the best route to long-term anxiety relief is psychotherapy. Panic attacks are a symptom of the body's natural "fight-or-flight" response, which exists to protect a person who is in a dangerous situation. For those with Panic Disorder, however, the body reacts even when there is no threat present. Psychotherapy teaches the patient to recognize when he is experiencing the physical symptoms of "fight-or-flight", which is an important step in treatment. For some patients, behavioral therapy -- focusing on gradual exposure to situations that induce panic -- is also an appropriate form of treatment.
Although it sounds elementary, another of the recommended panic attack treatments is learning relaxation techniques. Patients can participate in private or group sessions that teach such techniques, and which may include discussion of fears and coping skills. In order for these sessions to be beneficial, experts say that patients must practice the techniques as often as possible -- at least daily -- in order to internalize them to such an extent that they become almost second nature and are easily called upon in the middle of a panic attack.
Although many people who suffer from Panic Disorder are treated effectively without ever taking prescription medication, it is recommended in some cases. The most common prescriptions for Panic Disorder are benzodiazepines, such as Xanax. Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed, but can produce even more severe side effects than benzodiazepines and so are often avoided. More and more people are also discovering the benefits of natural treatments for anxiety which contain herbs that can treat the symptoms of panic attacks as effectively as prescription panic attack medication and with less risk.
Although the majority of medical professionals are not familiar with them because they do not participate in them, many patients have found relief through in-person or online support groups. These groups can provide a forum for discussion of which techniques are working for people, and can also provide much-needed personal support. Do not be afraid to take control over your treatment and to explore all of the options available to you -- you will be one step closer to finding the right combination for you.
Shortly after getting out of the hospital, my fiancé, (at the time), took me to a play. I'll never forget it for two reasons: 1. It was Fiddler on the Roof and I loved that show, and 2. I had my VERY FIRST panic attack while there. Boy, was it scary. I didn't know what hit me. Suddenly, my heart began racing, I couldn't breathe, I sweat profusely, was frightened, and had an overwhelming need to LEAVE~ JUST RUN! I thought I was having a heart attack, a stroke...you name it.
Upon calling my doctor from the lobby, I was told that the medication, (a steroid to remove inflammation from my eye), was NOT the problem, and that I should just go home and relax. That was it. WHAT? But, I was young, and did what he said. I went home, rested, but the seed of fear had been planted.
It grew and grew and grew.
However, life went on. I got married. I still had bouts with the unexplained feelings of a rapid heartbeat and the fear it caused, but dealt with it the best I could. I didn't say much to anyone, except for one time when I had an attack at home while friends were over. They helped me get through it, and suggested I call my doctor. I couldn't breathe, my heart was beating wildly, and I was simply beside myself. My doctor said to go buy an over the counter sleeping pill and take one. So, my friends went out and got some, I took one, and felt like a zombie for the rest of the night. I never did THAT again.
The attacks subsided, and again, life went on. One day, I discovered I was pregnant. What a surprise! I told my husband, and although shocked, he knew that we'd be able to handle it- sort of. He didn't seem happy because we were so unprepared. However, that didn't matter because I'd already fallen in love with the tiny life inside of me.
The attacks came back and were relentless after I miscarried. At four and a half months, I noticed some bleeding. Not much, but I knew to call my doctor. To sum it up- (and this IS the reason I wrote a book on miscarriage, healing and recovery), I was told that the 'fetus was no longer viable and should be removed." That is a direct quote. (That's a whole other story....)
After the 'procedure' was done, I arrived home, hormones in a mess, extremely depressed, with a husband who just couldn't understand. I don't blame him, he just didn't understand the feelings of love I had for the baby that was never to be. So, I cried a lot, still went to work, but felt like a huge black hole was inside of me. My anxiety attacks began to increase in frequency, and happened while driving. After that, I became afraid to drive, but pushed myself to do it anyway.
On my twenty-seventh birthday, my husband and I split. He didn't want to be married anymore, and, well, I just had to accept that fact. Okay, I'm not bashing him. That's life. It's how I reacted to it that's important.
Upon a failed last ditch attempt at marriage counseling to see if we, or I- (he didn't WANT to be there), could put the pieces back together again, my journey with personal counseling began. One visit was made with my husband- which didn't do anything to preserve what was already gone. He became my ex-husband, but, I continued to go to therapy, alone. I needed help dealing not only with the divorce, but with the terrible attacks I was having. I was ready to talk about them.
I learned a great deal about anxiety and myself through talk therapy, and will never regret it. I was put on a road, and that was the road to recovery. I was not prescribed any medication, and the visits came to an end when my therapist relocated. However, I was able to eat easier, talk myself down from the attacks, and at least gain an understanding of what the heck was going on with me. I learned to start focusing on myself and how I felt, instead of always trying to figure out what motivated others, (like I did with my ex-husband). I read like there was no tomorrow. If there was a book about anxiety, I'd buy it and study it. I'd take bits and pieces from each and incorporate them into my life. I had a hunger that could not be satisfied. I HAD to keep learning, reaching and striving towards becoming a 'normal' person again.
I was officially diagnosed with Chronic Anxiety disorder a couple of years later by a General Practitioner. I was seeing someone new, (who eventually became my fiancé), and was experiencing terrible stomach problems. I had pain most of the time and it went up into my ribs. My heart was still racing, and I bouts with the dreaded attacks. Upon examination, my new doctor told me that I had a gastrointestinal condition, but that it was brought on by anxiety. She knew very little of my history with the disorder, but was astute enough to pick up on things I said, not to mention the rapid heartbeat. I was given an antidepressant, which didn't work. We tried several, and they didn't work, either. (They do for many. With me, I felt worse while taking them.) The next step, other than getting me into some talk therapy, was a medication called Klonopin, which is a Benzodiazeprine Tranquilizer. This drug works by depressing the central nervous system, therefore decreasing the anxiety and it worked for me. It didn't stop the attacks all together, but it most definitely lessened the severity of them. However, different medications work for different people, and your doctor will determine, which, if any, are in order. I neither advocate nor condemn the use of medication. I know the opinions vary. I'm simply telling you what helped me- at least in part.
The Klonopin helped by taking the 'edge' off and keeping the attacks at bay. I didn't feel like a 'zombie' and could function easily. My body did have to get used to them, as I felt tired when I first began taking them. However, I got used to them rather quickly and the dosage always remained low.
Still dealing with attacks which came out of the blue, I mustered up the courage to audition for a wedding band as the lead female singer and emcee. I wanted to reach for this lifelong dream, and not let the anxiety tell me
otherwise. I was so nerved up that I wondered if I'd be able to sing. But, with knees shaking and a dry mouth, I DID IT. Whether or not I got the job was less important, although I wanted it. The fact that I faced my fear like a train at full steam ahead, was most paramount.
I got the job. Music was one of the most therapeutic things I'd ever done. (It still is today, along with writing.) Although the band isn't around now, I will never regret nor forget those nearly three years of my life. I sang even when my attacks got so bad I used the microphone stand to keep me up! But, doing it- getting though an attack in front of several hundred people at times, was so critical to my overall sense of confidence. If I could feel so terrible in front of SO many, and STILL go on without them ever noticing, I could win this thing. At least I learned that I could do what seemed impossible, whether I had anxiety or not. That was one of the most valuable lessons of my life. I carry it in my heart today.
You see, by exposing myself to situations that actually triggered attacks, the ability to control them increased. Believe me when I tell you, it was by no means EASY. It was anything but.
As I reflect upon my experience with the band and what I learned, I smile. It's a smile of hope, of pride, and of confidence. It is a smile which reflects my spirit, my faith, and my heart. It's a smile that says, "I can do it. I will control my anxiety, it will not control ME."
TWENTY-YEARS
It's hard to believe that my first attack occurred at age twenty, nearly 20 years ago. Even as I write this, the words stare at me from the computer screen and I'm amazed the road has been so long. I've gathered pebbles of knowledge upon this road, and some of the most important ones are:
1. Even though anxiety is still a part of my life, it's taught me things about myself. Most importantly, the power of the human spirit prevails.
2. There is no shame in seeking help. It takes more courage to seek help, than to remain living isolated and in fear.
3. As with any disorder, YOU decide whether it will control you, or you will control it.
4. It's perfectly OKAY to allow yourself to feel, be it good, bad, happy or sad. Feeling is being human. Letting those feelings out is called expression. Much like a shaken champaign bottle, we must let those feelings out in order to avoid 'popping'.
5. Maybe there is no 'normal'. Who or what defines normal? Quite possibly, I'm a normal person who happens to have anxiety. Normal is whatever we perceive it to be, and setting unrealistic expectations for yourself is only setting yourself up for disappointment. There IS no PERFECT person, or trouble free life. It's how we COPE with it that counts. It's about whether or not you can pick yourself UP after you fall.
6. Life is a journey and I'm still learning. I always will, and for some reason, anxiety has been the catalyst for many of my life's lessons.
7. If you have a bad day with anxiety after a period of doing well, don't view it as a major setback. It happened, and for a reason. You aren't a failure and you can pick up the pieces and go on recovering. Allow yourself to be you, anxiety and all, and don't beat yourself up for it.
8. There is NOTHING I can't get through with God by my side.
I hope my story has touched something within you. Something that says, "Wow, I've felt just like that." I needed to know that others felt like I did. That's why this is SO important to me. It helps you to know you're not the only person on the earth living and feeling like this. Far from.
KNOW, BELIEVE, HOLD FAST TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS HELP FOR YOU. Please visit the Dr. Doris Jeanette's page. I believe I met her for a reason- to help YOU, and to further help MYSELF.
If you're a reader like I am, many books have been written about anxiety and offer sound advice and practices.
I feel for you, have lived it, still do sometimes today...but take comfort in the fact the you can get better and feel like YOU again. The YOU you miss so much.
Anxiety on a Plate
Helping yourself through Anxiety, Featuring ... 8 Steps to Recovery http://www.anxietyonaplate.com/
Spiritual Sisters of the Internet Cafe is a place of spiritual rest and spiritual renewal of spiritual healing and spiritual celebration in a very real world in a very real way and created to enlighten, encourage, educate and empower women in transitional life situations. www.spiritualsisters.com
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