Remedies to Help Stop a Severe Anxiety Attack

A severe anxiety attack is different from the anxiety people experience every day. Symptoms of an anxiety attack is hyperventilation, overwhelming panic, feeling of detachment, nausea, stomach cramps, feeling of losing control, heart palpitations, breathing problems, trembling and hot flashes, according to the authors of the article "Anxiety Attacks and Disorders." When a patient has a severe anxiety attack, it is important to know how to treat the symptoms.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

One remedy for a severe anxiety attack is cognitive-behavioral therapy. According to the authors of the article "Anxiety Attacks and Disorders", "cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on thoughts---or cognitions---in addition to behaviors. When used in anxiety [attack] treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps [the patients] identify and challenge the negative thinking patterns and irrational beliefs that are fueling [the] anxiety." Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a long-term remedy for severe anxiety attacks---the patient will learn ways to deal with his anxiety attacks through working with his therapist on a regular basis. However, the benefits from cognitive-behavioral therapy may not be immediate, and it make take time before the patient is able to control his anxiety attacks.

Relaxation Techniques

An option to immediately cope with a severe anxiety attack is using relaxation techniques. Some therapists may incorporate relaxation techniques as part of the cognitive-behavior therapy, though patients can learn some techniques on their own. Doing mediation can help a patient relax; guided meditation tapes are available. Another relaxation technique is deep breathing: the patient starts by taking a deep breath. Then, she holds the breath for 5 seconds, followed by an exhale. Before taking another breath, the patient holds out her breath for 5 seconds, then repeats the breathing exercise. The patient should continue the breathing exercise until she feels relaxed.

Medication

However, some patients with severe anxiety attacks may need more than cognitive-behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques to stop the attacks. For those patients, medication may help with the anxiety attacks. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, four types of medication can be used to treat anxiety attacks and disorders: benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Tricyclic antidepressants work by preventing the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, leaving more to be used by the brain; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors work the same way but focus on one neurotransmitter. However, patients should be careful if they choose to use benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines act on the same receptor as alcohol in the brain, which makes benzodiazepines a drug that is prone to abuse.