Anxiety attacks, more commonly called panic attacks, cause a sudden surge of psychological and physical arousal. Recurring panic attacks, or significant fear of having panic attacks, may indicate panic disorder. Drugs to treat occasional anxiety attacks differ from those that treat panic disorder, although some drugs treat both.
Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety attacks create intense fear and discomfort, and may include heart palpitations or rapid heart rate, sweating, shaking, chest pain, dizziness, flushing, shortness of breath, a choking sensation and fears of going crazy or dying. Symptoms develop quickly and peak within 10 minutes, then subside. People in the throes of a panic attack often feel an intense desire to run away, strong fears of losing control and a feeling of unreality.
Treatment
Treatment for anxiety attacks usually includes both medication and psychotherapy. A psychotherapist can help to understand what triggers panic attacks and if deeper issues cause them. Psychotherapy can also help people learn how to cope with anxiety attacks and to gain a sense of mastery over them. Medication may take the form of once-daily antidepressants over a longer period of time, sometimes many years, which can act as a preventative measure. Sedative drugs called benzopdiazepines comprise the other drug treatment option. While sometimes prescribed on a daily basis, they more commonly are used as-needed when an anxiety attack strikes. For some people who experience anxiety attacks, a combination of these two types of medications provides the most effective treatment.
As-Needed Medications
Benzodiazepines are the most common treatment for anxiety attacks. Benzodiazepines are mild sedatives which slow down the central nervous system. Drugs in this class include Xanax, Klonopin, Valium and Ativan. While potentially habit-forming or even addictive with long-term usage, they are fairly safe drugs with little potential for overdose and relatively few side effects. Psychiatrists and physicians prescribe benzodiazepines both on an as-needed basis for panic attacks and for daily use to manage anxiety and panic disorder. However, because of tolerance and dependence, caution must be exercised with long-term usage, and tapering off must be done slowly.
Daily Medications
Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, have U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for use in treating panic disorder. These medications include Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft. These drugs are generally safe and effective at preventing or decreasing anxiety attacks. While associated with many unpleasant side effects, they pose a low incidence of serious risk. Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, work similarly to treat recurrent panic attacks. Effexor is currently the only drug in this class with FDA approval to treat anxiety attacks. It is important to note that these drugs are taken daily and it may take time before they start working. They do not treat acute anxiety attacks, but rather work systemically to prevent or decrease their occurrence.
Side Effects
Drugs that treat anxiety attacks can cause a number of side effects. Serious side effects of benzodiazepines requiring medical attention include depression, suicidal thoughts, hyperactivity, hostility, hallucinations, agitation, poor judgment, seizures and fainting. Less serious side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, insomnia, forgetfulness and blurred vision. SSRIs and SNRIs can cause a wide range of side effects, some of which wear off after an initial period. Side effects can include headaches, sleep problems, agitation, sedation, gastrointestinal disturbance, sexual problems, dizziness, dry mouth, tremor and excessive yawning. While any physician can prescribe medications to treat anxiety attacks, a psychiatrist offers a particular depth of knowledge and experience with these issues.
References
- "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook"; Edmund Bourne; 2005
- Drugs.com: Alprazolam
- MayoClinic.com: Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
- Drugs.com: Lorazepam
