What Medications Are Effective at Treating Panic Attacks?
There are many types of prescription medicines available for those who suffer from panic attacks. The greatest benefit they can give is to enhance the patient’s motivation and accelerate progress toward facing panic and the repercussions that go along with it.
Antidepressants are the main panic attack medication prescriptions that your doctor may discuss with you. These medications are also used for those who suffer from severe depression, so you may find that your mood will be boosted after you are taking the medicine for a while. However, it may take several weeks for the medicine to reduce your panic attacks, so you will have to incorporate other treatments in order to get relief quicker. Also, you will have to take the medication constantly, and not just when you have a panic attack in order for the medicine to work.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the newest and safest on the antidepressant market. As their name indicates, SSRIs stabilize the levels of serotonin in your brain. Clinical trials have demonstrated that SSRIs decrease the frequency of panic attacks by up to 75%. SSRIS specifically prescribed for panic attacks include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and fluvoxamine (Luvox). There is little chance of patients developing a dependency on these drugs. One negative thing about them however is that it will take four to six weeks for a patient to notice any improvement in his/her condition.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), the oldest type of antidepressants, are rarely prescribed today, as their side effects can be fatal. People taking MAOIs must not consume pickled, smoked, or fermented foods, such as red wine, cheese, or smoked salmon. In addition, MAOIs also react with other medication. These chemical interactions make MAOIs very dangerous. Ideally, you should avoid them.
Benzodiazepines are long term medications that can be taken for months or years. Xanax is a widely prescribed medicine. It can block panic attacks quicker than antidepressants and there are fewer side effects. However, some patients will develop withdrawal symptoms if they discontinue taking the medication too quickly. Doctors will advise patients to take lower doses continuously over a period of a few months. It’s best to have a physical exam and make sure that you are in pretty good health before you start the medication, since it can be very taxing in the nervous system when you are ready to quit.
When beta blockers first appeared in pharmacies, they were meant for heart conditions. Interestingly enough, doctors then discovered their potency as anti-panic attack medication. During a panic attack, your heart beats very fast. Beta-blockers such as propanolol prevent this from happening, therefore relieving many of the symptoms of a panic attack.
Foods that are high in vitamins B and C will increase the strength of your nervous system, and will give you the ability to think clearly in situations that may normally cause you to be anxious. You may even find that as you are making deliberate changes to your diet in order to improve your health, you will have the confidence that you need to handle the stress in your life with more ease.
A panic attack is one of the most frightening disorders that you can experience. You will feel totally out of control, mentally, emotionally and physically. Find what you need to know about panic attack medication and other treatment options at Help for Panic Attacks.