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.

When a person exhibits signs of panic or anxiety for ten minutes or more when there is no external cause for it, they are said to be suffering from panic disorder. These attacks can last from ten minutes to a few hours. The patient might also exhibit anxiety that such an attack might occur. This too prevents them from leading a normal life. They change their habits or situations to avoid an attack.

Such panic attacks can be treated. Though complete cure is not possible, the incidence of the attacks can be substantially reduced. Most people need to take the medicine for panic attacks for around a year. A few might have to continue for longer, and a very few might have to take the medicines life long.

The best treatment for panic disorder combines both medicines and therapy. Counseling is an established method of treating this disorder. It has been found that a combination of medicines and counseling works best for most people. If you or a family member suffers from this disorder, then please ensure that you visit a qualified medical practitioner or psychiatrist as soon as possible. In fact, the earlier you go the easier it will be for them to effect a near total cure. They are the best persons to advice you on the dos and donts to be followed to lead a near normal life.

The medicines for this disorder are of two types. Either selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), for instance Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil are prescribed or benzodiazepines, for instance Xanax, Valium, Ativan, or Klonopin are prescribed.

Panic attacks lead to troubled breathing or very fast breathing, chest pain, irregular heart beat, sweating, nausea, dizziness, and numbness.

They can be caused by underlying physical ailments such as hyperthyroidism, heart problems, or breathing problems. Depression or other mood disorder, alcohol abuse, using too much nicotine or too much caffeine, taking certain medicines, such as those used to treat asthma and heart problems, using illegal drugs such as marijuana or cocaine, or living with high levels of stress for a long time can also cause panic attacks.

Cognitive behavior therapy is prescribed for treating such attacks. One should also reduce the stress levels in one’s daily life to avoid frequent recurrence of such attacks.

Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises should be practiced. These help relax not only the mind but also the muscles. Yoga is another good form of relaxation as it combines the best of breathing exercises with physical exercises. Consult a good yoga practitioner to teach you specific postures for this disorder. Please do remember to consult a good physician first to see if you are fit enough to start exercising. This is important as the exercises should not add to your stress levels.

Group therapy and family therapy are also prescribed to deal with panic disorder. Here the entire group or family is counseled on the need to change behavior patterns to avoid panic attacks. Consciously changing thought patterns to change the way you feel is also a good way to avoid panic attacks. This can be learned through counseling.

Changing exercise and food habits to lead a healthier life can also reduce panic attacks. Exercise regularly so that your physical fitness improves over time. This will reduce the number of panic attacks. You should also adopt a better diet after consulting a qualified dietician. In any case it is better to eat a healthier more balanced diet.

Meditation, music therapy, and humor therapy are all good ways to reduce the stress levels in your body and, therefore, good ways to reduce the number of panic attacks you have to endure.

In brief a combination of medicines, cognitive therapy, yoga or other breathing exercises, changes in food habits, family counseling, meditation, music, humor, can all be combined to reduce the number of panic attacks you or your loved ones have to endure.

For all these to be most effective it is best that the patient is well informed of the disorder and offered choices. The co-operation of the patient is a must for the most effective remedy for this disorder. The idea is to relax both the mind and the muscles to avoid frequent recurrence of panic attacks.

There are many ways to treat panic attacks. But first you must know what it is all about. A proper knowledge of the problem will help you in solving it. Panic attacks are a sudden occurrence of extreme fear that generally comes for no obvious reason. But it brings along several acute physical reactions, which can be so strong that feeling of having a heart attack, is almost common. It can be frightening.

Having one or two panic attacks in a lifetime is not a matter of serious case but if the number exceeds and the duration of occurrence then it might take the shape of Panic disorder, which should be taken care off as soon as possible. A panic attack generally stays for 20 – 30 mins.

To treat panic attacks, the reasons behind its occurrence should be studies first. Unfortunately in this case the causes are not very clear. But it is seen that one of the cause is its existence in the family, or with life’s different transitions, a case any traumatic event. Stress could also be a reason. Sometimes medical conditions and other physical sources can also lead to panic attacks. Some such physical conditions are:
    Hypoglycemia
    Hyperthyroidism
    Any medication withdrawal, etc.

When you experience the following signs and symptoms in you, know that its time for you to consult with your doctor before it becomes too late. Look out for the following signs and symptoms:
    Hyperventilation
    Chest pain
    Pain in stomach
    Headache
    Faintness
    Feeling of tightness inside the throat
    Trouble while swallowing anything
    Unnatural fear of death
    Unnatural feeling of becoming detached from the surroundings.
    Feeling of choking
    Numbness

You can have panic attacks any time anywhere. Panic attacks hits without any warnings so must be very careful. This can even cause a fear in you which can prevent you from going out of your house, a situation which is clinically termed as agoraphobia.

To help in the better diagnosis of the problem the following tests and exams are generally conducted.

    Physical tests and exams: Includes things like measuring heights, weights heart beat rate blood pressure, and the like.
    Laboratory exams and tests: includes CBC (complete blood count) thyroid tests and some heart related tests.
    Physiological exams and tests: Includes a discussion between the doctor and the patient related to different psychological matter.

In order to treat panic attacks and panic disorder there are several treatments on the offer the some common and best treatments for panic disorder and panic attacks are mentioned below:
    Cognitive – behavioral therapy
    Medication and
    A combination of both

Cognitive – behavioral therapies is a type of psychotherapy commonly known as counseling or in other words talk therapy. It helps to be familiar with panic attacks and disorders and how to deal with it by changing the thinking pattern and behavior towards anything.

The other way to cope with the ailment is medication. Medication helps to reduce and control the signs and symptoms. Following are some of the medicine for panic attacks

    Antidepressants: these are the commonest medicines in use for the purpose. In this category following medicines are used:
    SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake) include brands like setraline (Zoloft), fluxotine (prozac), paroxtine (paxil) etc.
    SNRIs (Serotonin and Nerepinephrine Reuptake) include brands like venlafaxine (effexor).
    TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants) include brands desipramine (norpramin).
    MAOIs (Monoamine Oxide Inhibitors) include brands like phenelzine (nardil).

    Benzodiazepines: This falls n the category of sedatives (mild) from the medicines of CNS (Central Nervous System) group. Includes alprazolam (xanax) etc.

Nevertheless it is seen that separately medication and other therapies do not tend to work wonders as the combination of the both does so it is advisable that in order to get the best treatment for panic disorder and attacks one should stick to the combination of both.

However there are some other ways too so as to deal with panic attacks, which has been termed as Self – help treatment by the experts. The below mentioned tips and steps will be helpful in this regard.
    Avoid caffeine
    Avoid alcohol
    Avoid taking banned drugs
    Control your breathing
    Perform stress management techniques and relaxation techniques
    Do meditation and yoga
    Do aerobics
    Get sufficient sleep especially night sleep

Getting quick treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder has helped to reduce the problem to a great extent. So go through your regular routine of treatment and you can surely get back to the normal and controlled life as before.

Happy Living!

A panic attack is a sudden feeling of extreme anxiety while panic disorder is a disabling mental condition in which a person has repeated and unexpected panic attack and constantly worries about having another. A diagnosis of panic disorder is made after a person has at least two panic attacks that occur without reason and when these attacks are followed by a period of at least a month of fear that another attack is going to occur. The fear of attack, termed as agoraphobia, often triggers another attack and is a sure symptom of panic disorder.

A panic attack can be terrifying, but they are never life threatening. Symptoms include:
Shaking or trembling
Sweating
Dizziness and weakness
Chills and hot flashes
Chest pain and discomfort
Pounding of heart
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Cramping
A general feeling of dying
The strength of panic attack generally picks up in about ten minutes and subsides within thirty minutes and within that very thirty minutes the victim has felt dizzy, sweaty, shaky and dying. It often leads to depression and drug or alcohol abuse.

Yet many victims refuse to treat panic attack, some out of embarrassment, and others out of superstitions that medicines will do more harm than good. Whatever the reason, one must not shy away from visiting the doctor if the symptoms of panic disorder set in because this is one disorder which can wreck a person’s life needlessly. If you have four or more of the above symptoms you should visit the doctor, who will be able to evaluate you and tell you whether you really have panic attack. Simple treatments are available to control panic attacks and they can help you to lead normal life.

Best treatment for panic disorder includes medications along with cognitive-behavioral-therapy. While counseling is professional guidance to help a person, family or a group to recognize issues that are interfering with their lives, cognitive-behavioral-therapy is a type of counseling that focuses on modifying certain thought and behavioral pattern to control the symptoms of a disorder. In fact this particular therapy has been successfully used to treat not only panic disorder, but a number of other disorders too. Some believe that the role of cognitive-behavioral-therapy is more important while treating panic disorder than medication. This, however, is for the medical experts to decide.

However, you should know a little bit about panic disorder and make an informed choice about taking or not taking medicines..
You must realize that panic disorder is a medical condition, not a character flaw or weakness.
So there is nothing shameful about it and should not hesitate going to the doctor for treatment.
You must decide how much the disorder is bothering you. If panic disorder is hampering your daily life, it may not be a bad idea to go for medications, provided these are prescribed an authorized practitioner.
Sometimes depression too accompanies the panic disorder. In that case you must go for medications.
There are several good medicines for panic attack. These medicines can make the panic attack less severe or stop them all together.
If your condition is manageable, professional counseling such as cognitive-behavioral-therapy may be adequate and there is no need to take medicines.

There are mainly two types of medicine which are used to treat panic disorder. These are benzodiazepines and anti depressant. Benzodiazepines are more commonly used for rapid short term relief of symptoms. They work quickly to treat anxiety and are very helpful if the patient have agoraphobia. Unlike antidepressant they can be taken as and when they are needed. However, they also have a very short span of action and symptoms reoccur as the patient stops taking them. Because of this benzodiazepines may also be very addictive and increase drug dependence.

Benzodiazepines are of course some time used along with antidepressant for long term treatment. Antidepressant helps in balancing the chemicals in the brain and thus reduces the intensity of the symptom. A patient may start feeling better after 2/3 weeks. But one should expect any substantial improvement before six to eight weeks. If no improvement is noticed by three weeks, one should go back to the doctor for reassessment. It is important to remember that medicines act differently to different persons and if one medicine does not yield the desired result, the patient must go back to the doctor, who will then change the medicine.

As it has been already mentioned, panic disorder is merely a medical condition, which should be medically treated by suitable medical practitioner. All of us have right to lead a healthy life after all.

People experiencing panic attacks are becoming common these days.  Most people’s lifestyle is the primary suspect for this phenomenon.  Whereas, before we take things for granted and have certain things done at a leisurely pace.

But not today, things are a bit faster because of technology.  These include the use of the internet as well as the use of cell phones in our everyday communication needs.  This has made everybody within easy reach of everybody.  And if this is the case the need to respond immediately should be made.  People cannot hide and pretend that they do not know what is happening.

Add to the equation the current financial crisis that has taking place around the world.  This could put a financial drain on most people’s pockets and the result stress at all levels.  When you lose your job or your company closes down because of low revenues, stress level could reach stratospheric heights.  How then to treat panic attacks should be sought.

The result of all of this technological development is panic and anxiety attack which can have disastrous effect on their lives.  Below are some symptoms of panic attack.

•    Intense or irrational fear happening for long periods of time.
•    Hyperventilation or difficulty in breathing
•    Trembling
•    Profuse sweating
•    Increased heartbeat
•    Nausea
•    Dizziness or light headedness
•    Flushes in the face
•    The feeling of being out of control

The above symptoms may appear for a period of up to eight minutes maximum and after this episode or attack the person may feel exhausted and drained of energy so that he or she can no longer continue whatever he or she is previously doing before the attack.  There are instances, however, where panic attacks lasts for several hours have recently been observed.

When any of the above symptoms happens the person may be experiencing the onset of panic attacks.  These can appear suddenly and without any clear cause from any outside stressors.  If this happens it is best to treat panic attacks as soon as it appears.  This is to prevent any untoward complications later on.

Medical professionals are at a better position to determine if what the person is experiencing is really panic attack so that the proper medicine for panic attacks could be prescribed.

The best treatment for panic for panic disorder depends on a case to case basis though.  It depends on the person as well as to the circumstances the person is in.  This is where medical professionals come in to advice what medicine for panic attacks to take.

Below are some of those medicine for panic attacks.

•    Beta Blockers.  This is an effective treatment in controlling the physical symptoms of panic attacks.  This medicine has the ability to stabilize the rapid beating of the heart, the body trembling and the flushing of the face.  Its side effects can include short term memory loss, diarrhea and the feeling of light headedness.

•    Benzodiazepines.  This medicine is taken as a single dose therapy or can be taken for several months depending on the person’s condition and on the doctor’s recommendations.  The side effects can include drowsiness, clumsiness, decreased mental alertness, slurred speech and irritability.

•    Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.  This medicine can control the symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks.  Its side effects can include insomnia, increased food intake, dry mouth, low blood pressure and possible weight gain for most people.

•    Tricyclic Antidepressants.  Although this is basically given for mild and severe depressions this is also effective in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders.  The side effects of this medicine for panic attacks include blurred vision, sweating, sensitivity when exposed to the light, weight gain and irritability.

For any symptoms of panic and anxiety disorders it is best to have the advice of medical professionals so that the proper treatment could be availed of immediately.

Yet, the best treatment for panic disorder can be found in your inner self.  This would require you to take things easy and avoid stressing yourself too much.  Learn to take deep breathing to provide enough oxygen to your body and most importantly always believe in yourself that you can surpass this concern effectively.

Often in the course our lives, there would be countless occasions when we suffer or are confronted by situations that make us panicky. This is a normal reaction, often caused by events or incidents which are either unplanned for, out of the ordinary or something which gave rise to strong concerns. Usually the last item would involve something that is so serious and verging towards a catastrophe on a personal scale. Anyone who does not panic over something like losing contact or missing out on a loved one would most probably be the odd one out, and could be considered as abnormal.

The other extreme would those people who are afflicted with panic disorder conditions. This is a particularly debilitating condition whereby those suffering from it to develop certain biological reactions that impacts on their physical being. Where everyone would be agitated and nervous in panicky situations, those suffering from panic disorders would display much more extreme manifestations of the same reaction. They treat panic attacks as full blown concerns and start to feel unduly anxious, often time without even knowing what they are anxious about.

Those afflicted with the condition would sweat profusely, exhibited some very visible tremblings, while they themselves would be dizzy, nauseous  and at the same time feeling as though they are standing on precarious surface and falling without anything to hold on to. In order to treat panic attacks affectin these patients, they have to be given the sense that they are not alone when such anxiety situations arrive.  They have be made to realize that their condition can be treated and alleviated, even if thus far, there are yet actual cures for it.

The best treatment for panic disorder conditions is a two pronged approach that tackles both the physical as well as the psychological aspect of the patient. It might seems almost illogical to be tackling something that is easily emotionally based, but medications are effective stimulants to impact the bodies nervous and biological systems so that whatever imbalances that is caused by the panic or anxiety attacks. Prescriptions that help relaxes both the mind and the body are the best treatment for panic disorder patients as they are easily accessible during such times that they start feeling anxiousness creeping in for an attack.

Taking prescribed medicine for panic attacks of either relaxants or even anti anxiety drugs would enable the panic disorder patients to tackle their outward symptoms immediately as they take effect quite fast in between 15 minutes to half an hour, and sometimes even allow the body of the panic disorder patient to be truly relaxed to the point of them being able to sleep. Sleeping is good to ease their minds of whatever it was that triggered the anxiety or panic attack in the first place. The thing to remember about these conditions is that they are normally caused by some kind of trauma, often psychiatric in nature and one that would probably have been hidden deep in their psyche.

This is where the second aspect of treating a panic disorder patient comes into play. Tackling the psychological portion would be the part for psychiatrists. Patient suffering from such conditions cannot be allowed to depend solely on their prescriptions in tackling and coping with anxiety and panic attacks as this would only “cure” the symptoms but nothing in treating the cause. Counseling helps patients understand their conditions, and top of that allow them to build up their self confidence and inner strength enough to treat panic attacks as would any others treat them. Learning to control their concerns is the first step to alleviate the conditions. Medications allow the body to relax and counseling allows the mind to start the healing process.