Need To Take Anxiety Attack Medicine Vary From Individual to Individual

The best treatment for panic disorder is said to be cognitive behavior therapy along with pharmalogical treatment. The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy cannot be denied as it attacks the panic disorder from two sides. It focuses on inadequate, obstructive and damaging behaviors and irrational thought processes that contribute to the continuation of the symptoms at the same time.

The cognitive behavioral therapy works on our thought process and teaches us how to identify the emotions that give rise to panic before it is really formed and then divert our mind to safer channel and thus totally blocks the formation of panic attack. At the same time, the therapy has a modifying effect on our behavior.  It teaches us to accept that something is really wrong and that it can be cured if we so wish. It teaches us some self-help techniques and prods us face the situation that first gave rise to panic attack.

However, not all patients can tolerate or fully respond to cognitive behavioral therapy. Studies have shown that the panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy is also effective in treating panic disorder. This particular therapy has been widely used for dealing with panic disorder, but has not been assessed properly. The psychodynamic theory has its root in Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. The therapy helps the client to become aware of their unconscious conflicts and fantasies. In addition, it also helps to identify the defense mechanisms that cause the continuation of the symptom.

In general, these theories assume that people are defined by early experience and those unconscious motives and psychological conflicts are the basis of the current behavior. All painful emotions are hidden in our subconscious with the help of the defense mechanisms. If these hidden emotions can be brought to the conscious mind and are dealt with, the symptoms of panic disorder will vanish.

The panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy consists of 24 twice-weekly session. The treatment is divided into three phases. In the initial phase, the therapist focuses on the meaning and content of the panic symptoms. In the next phase, the therapist works with the patient to identify the core conflict underlying the panic disorder. In the last phase, the mixed feeling surrounding anger, autonomy and separation are addressed as according to this theory these are the main issues behind panic disorder.

The panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy typically involves:

1.    uncovering the unconscious meaning of panic symptoms

2.    exploring unconscious feelings in relation with separation, loss, independence, anger and other emotions

3.    identifies defenses that acts as barriers to awareness

If the panic disorder cases are not acute, the doctors often do without medicines. However, more often than not, an anxiety attack medicine is needed to speed up the process of recovery. It is to be noted that panic disorder falls under the large umbrella known as anxiety disorder or anxiety attack. There are different types of anxiety related psychological ailment that is grouped under this banner. Incidentally, another disorder known as general anxiety disorder also falls under this umbrella. General anxiety disorder is quite similar to panic disorder and shares some symptoms such as heart palpitation, shortness of breadth, dizziness etc. However, while a general anxiety attack patient is worried about some aspect of his or her life, the panic disorder patient is panicky about his or her life itself. He/she imagines a chest pain and almost feels like choking to death.  Sweating, shaking, nausea and abdominal discomfort, hot and cold flashes, numbness etc are some of the symptoms of panic disorder.

As therapy needs time to be effective, doctors often prescribe anxiety attack medicines to help the patient temporarily. The benzodiazepines group of medicines comes first to mind. This group of medicine is good for panic disorder as well as generalized anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepines can quickly block attacks. In case of panic attack, it can be taken as is necessary basis. If taken regularly they act with in a week or two. However, they do not have any long any lasing effect and can be addictive.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant today.  They offer fewer side effects than other tricyclic antidepressant. Therefore, the benzodiazepines group of medicines and serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the main group of medicines that are being prescribed today.

A psychiatrist with acronym of MD or DO can prescribe the anxiety attack medicines. A primary care physician can also do that. The length of the medication needed vary from person to person. For some, it may be necessary to continue the regimen through their life.