The stress of everyday life is bound to cause at least some degree of anxiety from time to time. In contrast, the symptoms of an anxiety disorder may provoke an inordinate amount of apprehension and fear on a regular basis. An anxiety or panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that can make you feel as though you're losing your mind or having a heart attack. Various medications, including antidepressants, tranquilizers and beta blockers, and psychotherapy are among the primary treatments for anxiety attacks.
Antidepressants
Antidepressant medications may diminish the symptoms of panic and any accompanying symptoms of depression, according to the Mayo Clinic. Common symptoms of a panic attack include rapid heartbeat, chills, shakiness and an overwhelming sense of imminent danger. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine, (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft).
Another class of antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRI's include the medication venlafaxine (Effexor XR). The Food and Drug Administration has approved SSRI's and SNRI's for the treatment of panic disorder.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are mild sedatives that are widely prescribed to treat panic disorders. Benzodiazpines belong to a group of medications referred to as central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
These drugs include alprazolam (Xanax). clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan). The long-term use of benzodiazpines can lead to dependency and possible abuse.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers obstruct the nerves that encourage the heart to beat faster. These medications including propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin).
Beta blockers relieve only the physical symptoms of anxiety such as an accelerated heart rate. They can be especially helpful for individuals with performance anxiety. For example taking a beta blocker prior to giving a speech may diminish panic.
Professional Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help to alter thinking patterns that trigger fears and anxiety attacks and to change the way you respond to anxiety-provoking situations.
Psychotherapy, a form of counseling, is intended to help you understand panic attacks and panic disorder and how to manage them.
Relaxation
Relaxation methods, such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing, may help to thwart anxiety attacks. In fact, the Mayo Clinic says that, for some people who suffer from panic disorder, learning to relax the mind and body may be just as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy.
