No matter who you are or where you come from –what color, height and lifestyle you adapt, you are utterly prone to anxiety and panic disorders (a.k.a panic attacks). Though panic attacks are definitely not nobody’s cup of tea, it is however common to us all. What differentiates it is the level of these attacks; you may experience a different kind of panic attack then the stranger beside you. When you are having a panic attack it feels like the end of the world. You can’t breathe, your heart is racing, you feel sick, dizzy and you feel like surrendering to death. When you are aware of such feelings, it is definitely about time to seek help for panic attacks.

Despite the fact that panic attacks are deemed as natural for some of us to feel overpowering waves of panic and anxiety -especially when confronted with hostile situations- we should not weigh this matter lightly. Moreover, when it interferes with your relationships and routines, that’s when you’ve crossed the boundaries from normal anxiety into the terrain of anxiety disorders.  So it is time to retrace those steps back to a better, healthier you.

Some forms of help for panic attacks include treatment through anxiety disorder therapy and of course, like almost every other illness, through medication. More commonly used is the therapy treatment because if you are diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder, chances are the mere thought of deciding on the right anxiety attack medication may trigger another attack.

Often, the idea of therapy can make people moan and groan because not everyone finds its joyful sitting in a psychologist office getting their dosage of counseling or therapy.  But rest assured, this is one of the best ways to tackle arising panic and anxiety attacks simply because you can also do this yourself. There are two types of anxiety disorder therapy; behavioral and cognitive

Scientific names aside, according to constant research being carried out at the National Institute of Mental Health, both behavioral and cognitive therapy can be exceedingly successful in treating anxiety disorders. Behavioral therapy –as its name implies- engages certain techniques to reduce or stop the unwelcomed behavior often associated with these disorders. One approach, for an example, involves training patients to relax as well as the proper breathing techniques to wrestle the nervousness and hyperventilation (rapid, shallow breathing) that are attached to certain anxiety disorders.

Cognitive therapy on the other hand, helps people learn to understand how their mindset or way of thinking can add to the symptoms of anxiety disorder. For an example, a positive thought like attending a party can turn out to be a negative one to some. Perhaps they experienced something really negative at a party, or being one on their own. These negative thoughts help navigate one’s idea of what situations are most likely to be, thus allowing panic, stress and feelings of depressions to kick in.

This form of anxiety disorder therapy allows people to adapt to or change their negative thought patterns which will eventually reduce the likelihood of panic occasions and the intensity of reaction that is panic. Coupled together, one’s increased cognitive awareness with improved behavioral techniques can help people to stand strong in the face of panic and tolerate apprehensive situations.

Although the therapies are the traditional ways of treating anxiety, people still tend to turn to the power of healing in forms of pills and tablets. Millions of people around the world prescribe to these tiny pills of medicine for various reasons, panic and disorder included. There are four major classes of anxiety attack medication:

Four major classes of medications are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders:

•    Benzodiazepines
This class of medication includes alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam and is used widely for short-term treatment of anxiety. They are highly effective in promoting relaxation and reducing muscular tension. However, abrupt withdrawal can reactivate the symptoms, including rebound anxiety and insomnia.

•    Tricyclic antidepressants
As its name suggests, it is an antidepressant (tablets include amitriptyline, imipramine, and nortriptyline). This may be the best form of medicine for anxiety but can cause major side effects, including decrease in blood pressure, constipation, urinary preservation, and blurry vision.

•    Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Not many medical specialists favor this form of medication because SSRIs relieve symptoms by blocking the re-absorption of serotonin by certain nerve cells in the brain. The good side is that it enhances neurotransmission which in return improves mood. However, common side effects include insomnia or sleepiness, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain. This is sometimes used to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

•    Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
This anxiety disorder medication class is remarkable for a dual mechanism of action: increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting their re-absorption into cells in the brain. These medications are considered a first-line treatment, particularly for the treatment of anxiety disorder –be it social or general.

Anxiety disorders affect everyone around the world and so it is essential to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders the right way. Consult a doctor before deciding on therapy or medications because they would know the best option to suit your lifestyle; whether it is through therapy, through medication or perhaps through both.  Lastly, be patient because treatment of panic attacks may take a long time especially if it is involving medications. Your anxiety will only worsen the more you worry.