Panic Attack Medication

By Dr.Stephen Antony , MD (Psychiatry)

If you have ever had a panic attack you’ll know how terrible and unnerving these episodes can be. They often occur without warning, and leave you feeling such intense physical and emotional symptoms, it seems as if you’ve stepped into a horrible nightmare!

The classic hallmarks of panic attacks include a sudden, intense feeling of terror, pounding heartbeat, shallow breathing, uncontrollable trembling, light-headedness and a sense of being outside or detached from oneself, known as depersonalization.

If you suspect that you are suffering from panic attacks, you need to first rule out underlying health problems. Certain medical conditions such as anemia, hypoglycemia, heart conditions and thyroid problems can mimic or trigger a panic attack. Side effects of certain medications can also trigger these attacks.

Different people cope differently with panic attacks. Some, notably first-time sufferers, may call for emergency services. Many who experience a panic attack, mostly for the first time, fear they are having a heart attack or nervous breakdown. Experiencing a panic attack has been said to be one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of a person’s life.

Once you have a panic attack, you need to get a check-up by a doctor to rule out other causes that may be physical, such as low blood sugar , thyroid or heart issues that may mimic a panic disorder. Once your doctor has ruled out any underlying cause for your panic symptoms, you can then decide on a course of action.

Patients with panic disorder have several treatment options. Determining which treatment is best for a given patient is usually done through a shared decision-making process between the patient and the psychiatrist.

The patient may opt to try psychotherapy or may prefer treatment with medications.

Pharmacologic therapy is preferred for patients whose panic symptoms are frequent and cause a significant impairment in functioning.

Panic disorder patients differ in their sensitivity to medications, including side effects. Some patients show an early response to treatment while other patients with panic attacks may need to be shifted to a second line drug for effective response.

Because the side effects and/or withdrawal symptoms for some medications, including anti-anxiety medications, mimic the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, the medications prescribed for panic attacks or panic disorder are prescribed in smaller doses at first and then increased gradually.

Panic attack medication used for treating the attack:-

Benzodiazepines:

Benzodiazepines are effective in reducing panic symptoms and frequency of attacks, are well tolerated, and have a short onset of action.However, benzodiazepines may cause depression and are associated with adverse effects during use and after discontinuation of therapy

Anti-depressants:

Antidepressant medications have been shown to reduce panic severity, eliminate attacks, and improve overall quality-of-life measures in patients with panic disorder.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):

TCA’s are found to be equally effective in reducing panic severity and the number of attacks.

Below is a list showing the commonly used drugs and the cost of treatment per month with each medication.

Cognitive behavior therapy(CBT) :

Recently CBT has gained wide popularity in the treatment of panic attacks.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) includes many techniques, such as applied relaxation, exposure in vivo, exposure through imagery, panic management, breathing retraining, and cognitive restructuring. Many research studies support the efficacy of CBT in improving panic symptoms and overall disability.

If you’re suffering from panic attacks and would like to take control of your anxiety using panic attack medication, then take a minute and check this best treatment available out.

Self help tips to overcome anxiety and panic attacks:

• Find things to do that are relaxing and enjoyable.
• Read a book that uplifts your spirits and stimulates your thinking.
• Listen to calming music.
• Watch shows that are humorous and make you laugh.
• Play with your children or pets.
• Go walking on the beach.
• Build up friendships with people who are reliable and gentle
• Control your worry. Choose a time and place for your worrying. Make it the same time and place every day. Spend 30 minutes thinking about your worries and what you can do about them. Then let go of the worry, and think about what you want to manifest in your life.
• Learn ways to relax: Relaxation is a learned skill. You may need training to acquire the kill of effective relaxation, these may include muscle relaxation, yoga, or deep breathing.
• Exercise regularly. People who have anxiety often stop exercising. But exercise can give you a sense of well-being and help with anxiety.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. In the short-term they seem to help you relax, but in the long-term , they make anxiety worse and cause more problems.
• Avoid caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and it may stimulate your nervous system. Also avoid pain, cough and cold medicines with a decongestant that contain caffeine.

There are always non medicated treatment methods which is best used by everyone world wide. So better try to use the non medicated treatments first.

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References:

(1) Kumar S, Oakley Browne M. Panic disorder. Clin Evid. 2003;9:1084–90.