Everyone experiences anxiety. It's normal and a basic survival skill to become anxious when you feel threatened or in danger. However, overwhelming anxiety and fear can be extremely debilitating and lead to anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder. This disorder is characterized by unpredictable panic attacks. When these frightening anxiety attacks occur, the person feels out of control and as though she might be having a heart attack or might die.
Medication
One form of treatment for anxiety attacks, especially with adults, is medication. Medication may be indicated if the person has trouble leaving home because of fear of having a panic attack, difficulty being successful at school or work and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family members.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the first type of medication that many doctors recommend for panic attacks are SSRIs, which are a type of antidepressant. SSRIs are recommended because they are effective and have low risks of negative side effects. The drawback of antidepressants is the amount of time it takes for them to become effective. When taking SSRIs, you may not see a positive effect for weeks while they build in your system. Anti-anxiety medications, also known as benzodiazepines, usually take about 30 minutes to take effect; however, they can be addicting over time.
Psychotherapy
Another form of treatment for panic disorder or panic attacks is psychotherapy. The most effective and common form of psychotherapy used to treat this mental health issue is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Therapists using cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients to understand how their thoughts affect how they feel and how they react to things. For instance, someone who has a panic attack right before giving a presentation at work might have been thinking, "Everyone's going to laugh at me," or "No one's going to take me seriously." Those thoughts make the person feel anxious and then have a panic attack. If the person can gain control of his thoughts, he'll be able to gain control of his panic attacks and reduce their occurrence.
Relaxation Techniques and Alternative Treatments
Most medical professionals, including therapists, will recommend that someone who experiences panic attacks learn relaxation techniques. When the person begins to feel anxious, she can implement a relaxation technique, such as visualization, and reduce the likelihood of having a panic attack. The person has to learn how to detect the cues that her body gives, such as sweaty palms and a racing heart, to know when to use the techniques. Relaxation techniques can be used in combination with psychotherapy, medication and alternative treatments. Some other alternative treatments for panic attacks include yoga, hypnosis and acupuncture.
