Symptoms of Panic Attack

Often, people who have panic attacks report that they feel as if they are totally and completely out of control and as if they are having a heart attack and will die.  This makes them deeply afraid and provokes fear in them.  They feel as if they are entirely alone in their fears and experience deep feelings of anxiety and physical discomfort.

Common symptoms of having a panic attack include feeling as if your heart is racing or increased heart rhythm, breaking into a cold sweat, tremors, difficulty breathing or hyperventilation, chest pressure, chest pains, nausea, dizziness, disassociation, feelings of being out of control, fears of dying, chills, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.

What are Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder?

Panic attacks and panic disorder are not well understood.  It is known that people who have the disorder have a dysfunction of the brain that makes their bodies and minds hypervigilant, so that their nervous systems are constantly on high alert. This makes the adrenal glands work overtime and the person experiences unexplained panic in situations that are otherwise completely normal and safe.

What is understood about panic disorder and panic attacks, however, is that stress can trigger an attack and exercise and diet play a role in reducing stress levels and adrenalin in the body.

Many people who have panic attacks have significant and debilitating fears about having another attack.  This actually increases their anxiety and stress levels and can bring on additional attacks.  Without treatment, it is possible for a person to become entirely frozen and isolated in their fears and soon they become lost in a cycle of attacks and fear.

Treatment for Panic Attacks

The best recommended treatment for panic attacks is a combination of psychotherapy and medication to manage the symptoms and anxiety that come with this disorder.  Psychotherapy often focuses on behavioral methods to control the anxiety symptoms, including relaxation techniques and stress reduction techniques.  Other recommended adjunctive activities include yoga and exercise to help reduce stress.

Self education is also key to helping to manage the anxiety that is associated with panic disorders.  Many people report that just learning about the disorder and discovering that they are not alone goes a long way to making them feel better about their illness.  There are many books available that provide extensive information about anxiety and panic attacks.

Patients can also find assistance by going to clinics dedicated to mood disorders, including anxiety, post traumatic stress, generalized anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Panic attacks are not life threatening and they are not fatal, even though they are uncomfortable and frightening, but with education, medication and therapy, they need not be debilitating.

If you feel that your condition is deteriorating, and you’re becoming more and more anxious, jumpy, scared and shaky, it is strongly advised that you assess yourself, and find a good remedy to ease up your panic attacks. Oftentimes, once determined, panic attacks can be avoided and the individual can alleviate the symptoms through relaxation and self therapy. However, if your condition is clearly getting in the way of your daily routine, and makes you very uncomfortable, you may need professional help, or enroll in a good anxiety control program.

You need to find out whether you are improving since you first detected the symptoms, or if you are already suffering from an anxiety disorder. Here’s how you can distinguish regular, mild anxiety from panic attacks that can lead to agoraphobia and manic disorders:

Mild Anxiety – is common and very normal, but if left untreated, can elevate to something worse. So, it is imperative that you watch out for symptoms, telling you that you are experiencing more than mild anxiety, to prevent it escalating to panic attacks. Anxiety has to have a source, and most common of these reasons is fear. It may not be obvious that you are frightened, especially if you are feeling anxious about something so ordinary or trivial, like being anxious about a party, a family occasion, a deadline, bills and other events, regular people have to deal with everyday.

So if you are experiencing mild anxiety symptoms like sweating, insomnia, hot flashes or chills, normally, these are simple physical reactions towards fear, and being nervous. As soon as you detect these symptoms of anxiety, identify the possible reason or reasons why you are feeling this way, and acknowledge the fact that you are preoccupied with something, making you feel anxious and nervous. Doing this will help you ease up your own tension, because knowing why you’re feeling that way you do makes you address the root cause of your anxiety.

And now that we have discussed mild anxiety, let’s now find out about the symptoms separating anxiety from episodes of panic attacks:

Panic Attacks – come in many forms, and may or may not be dangerous, depends on how severe they are. So the symptoms are very easy to identify, and can be classified as occasional anxiety and panic attacks, or anxiety or panic disorders. A panic attack is nervousness and anxiety accompanied by any or all of these symptoms: heart pounding, shaking, seating, shortness of breath, chest pain, numbness or tingling, cramps, chills, surreal feeling, or feeling of going crazy.

For panic attacks that haven’t elevated into disorders yet, the above mentioned symptoms can be rare and easy to avoid. As soon as you feel the first symptom starting, you can easily divert your attention, or try to relax and rest for a while. However, if this is not the case, and you have experienced these episodes before, but they’re starting to occur more frequently and become more severe, you may have developed a disorder.

Do not despair as there are ways to cure severe anxiety. Seek medical help, as it would make you understand your condition better and address it before it gets worse. If you are unsure, and you feel that you can handle your condition without the help of a doctor, then I suggest you find out more about it, and try to research the best therapy for your panic attacks. Remember, you are not alone, and there are many who have the same condition as yours but have recovered. So believe that you can help yourself and start by knowing how. Read about anxiety and panic attacks online, and the best therapy to address this issue.

Since we discussed how anxiety comes about, and there is a primary cause for this, our approach should be more rational; cure the root. But again, if fear is the root cause, how do we deal with it? It’s almost impossible to get rid of one’s fears as they are completely natural, and being afraid can sometimes be advantageous and beneficial. So if we head towards the direction of curing our anxiety attacks by taking prescription medication, we just reduce the symptoms, but we dot address the real reason, which is not being able to handle and cope with our fears.

By understanding that behavioral counseling, not medication for anxiety and panic attacks, is the best way to resolve our panic issues, we rationalize the importance of curing such disorders naturally, and not becoming dependent on any prescription drug. We should realize that there are things and situations that we have to learn how to deal with, without resorting to medical help and outside factors. Anxiety is one of the many issues that we have to confront ourselves, and have the will and the power to conquer.

We cannot rely on artificial cure on dealing with something natural, which is fear. Now fear is not such a bad thing, as it is our brain’s way to tell us that we are in danger, or that we need to think fast to either fight or flee from the situation. So the numbing effects of prescription drugs may temporarily relieve our feelings of panic and anxiety, but they do not teach us how to handle our own emotions, and the main emotion in play while we’re in a state of panic, again, is fear. So again, I can’t stress this enough, to make you understand that behavioral counseling and not medication for anxiety and panic attacks is the key to overcoming these symptoms.

We need to accept that there are disorders or illnesses that we can cure with a pill, and there are disorders we can’t. If it’s completely normal to be afraid, but what keeps us from functioning better is not knowing how to keep our fears under control, then we have to address that, naturally.

Behavioral counseling, not medication for anxiety and panic attacks have done wonders for the individuals who have psychological concerns. Imagine life without worrying how to go about your everyday life without being afraid that another anxiety attack? It’s possible; by learning how to deal with it, with all your will power and know how. Seek for expert help that will help you address your panic attacks, and the correct therapy to naturally rid you of the symptoms anxiety causes you to experience.

Because as you carry on with your life and your work, you will encounter various situations, some are more frightening than all the others you have gone through. So what do you? Do you go to your doctor to ask for a stronger more potent pill for more stressful situations? Or do you learn how to confront them with your own methods?

You may choose to hide behind a pill, or choose to face your own demons and be the master of your own fate. Numbing yourself is not the cure for a real life issue. It’s knowing how to empower yourself, being confident and equipped with fear alleviating methods that will help you with your struggle to overcome panic. Find out about behavioral counseling, as this is the most effective method to help you deal with these natural disorders.

Zoloft and SSRIs

Zoloft is an antidepressant medication that is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI.  The generic name for Zoloft is sertraline and many doctors will now prescribe the generic medication to keep prescription costs down for patients.  It is thought that low levels of serotonin effect depression and anxiety.  SSRI medications reverse this problem and make it possible for the brain to have enough of the neurochemical serotonin to regulate mood.

Zoloft and SSRIs are prescribed for more than depression.  They are also used to treat social anxiety disorder, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Short Term Side Effects

Short term side effects from taking Zoloft usually disappear within a few days or weeks of starting to take the medication.  These short term side effects include the following:

Minor aches and pains, such as headache, sore throat and abdominal pain
Feelings of anxiety and nervousness
Changes in sleep, such as insomnia or sleepiness
Minor gastric symptoms, such as indigestion, constipation and diarrhea
Feelings of tingling and pins and needles in the hands and feet
Decreased libido

Serious Side Effects

There are also serious side effects from using Zoloft for panic attacks and other anxiety disorders.  These include:

Vision changes, such as blurry vision
Rapid or irregular heart beat
Seizures
Confusion
Unusual bruising or bleeding
Hallucinations

Long Term Side Effects

Generally, side effects from using Zoloft for panic attacks decrease and disappear within a matter of days or weeks or starting the medication.  However, in some cases, side effects can occur over a long period of time.  In fact, it is possible for short term side effects of using Zoloft for panic attacks can become longer term side effects.

Side effects such as changes in sleep and decreased libido have an increased chance of becoming longer term side effects.  However, in most cases, side effects from using Zoloft for panic attacks disappear over time and are significantly low.

If side effects persist, generally a psychiatrist will stop the medication and try another one, since there are literally hundreds of antidepressant medications to choose from today.

Taking Zoloft Safely

Zoloft, like any other medication, should be taken as prescribed.  It is a safe medication when used correctly.

Zoloft should not be used if you are already on another antidepressant called an MAO inhibitor.  This practice can become extremely dangerous with drug interactions.

Also take the medication exactly as prescribed.  If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, but do not double up on doses in order to make up for a missed dose.

If you find that the side effects from using Zoloft for panic attacks become uncomfortable or intolerable, talk to your doctor and determine if they will pass with time or if you need to attempt to try another medication.

SSRIs are extremely safe and effective when used to treat anxiety and depression disorders, however; use caution and care when using to treat for panic attack symptoms.

Ativan, better known by its generic counterpart called Lorazepam, is used to treat anxiety and people who are more prone to certain types of fears. There are certain chemicals in the human brain which can affect a patient’s potential to have an anxiety or panic attack.

Lorazepam or Ativan works by interacting with those chemicals which would eventually reduce or totally stop a person’s anxiety. A lot of people who suffer from panic attacks have already reported relief with the use of this drug.

A person who is going through a panic attack is likely to lose control. They are often overwhelmed with their raging emotions that they have a hard time figuring out how to stop. Some may be able to steer clear of situations that could lead to further attacks but majority of patients who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks just succumb to their emotional state of mind.

Some are always denying the fact that they’re already suffering from the symptoms of anxiety while others bravely face their problem by doing simple breathing exercises, anger management techniques or effective mental exercises.

For those who choose to target their panic attacks in the fastest possible manner, they have the choice to take medications that were duly prescribed by a competent doctor.

This is why Ativan is such an effective drug for people who are overly anxious. This drug can ease up tenseness and, eventually, make a calmer person out of you. But just like any other drug, there are certain allergic reactions that could manifest in some people.

If you already know that you’re allergic to Ativan or Lorazepam, then it’s time to discuss other treatment options with your physician. If you’re pregnant and you’re already seeing the telltale signs of panic attack, then you should also consult with your doctor regarding the use of Ativan as it can cause birth defects in children.

This medication can also cause drowsiness and this is heightened if you’re taking other medications such as sleeping pills and cold medications or if you drink alcohol. It can also make an addict out of the patient so it’s wise to discuss this with your doctor.

If you’re thinking of using Ativan as a medical treatment to lessen your panic attacks, then you have made a good choice. Many people’s lives have been greatly improved minus the seemingly-crazy attacks that they suffer from. Their loved ones would also be greatly blessed to see that the patient is slowly recovering as he dutifully takes his medication.

There’s no use suffering from anxiety any longer, if you have the choice to end it with this medication, then go ahead and do so.

Most people suffering from panic attacks fear to experience another attack which more often than not triggers an actual attack. With the help of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, you would learn to recognize the symptoms and eventually develop the ability to prevent them. Your therapist would surely provide advises that could be very helpful in decreasing the amount of your stress and eventually stop the cycle of these panic attacks.

Having Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as treatment for panic attack symptoms is highly recommended by medical professionals. CBT is comprised of two necessary components. One is identifying and altering the distorted thinking patterns that constantly promote anxiety or cognitive therapy. The other one is the behavior therapy or the process of desensitizing stress through exposing the patient to terrifying situations. The nature of your problem would dictate the relative emphasis put on each of these components.

Keep in mind that although panic attacks are usually sudden, they are basically the effect of your own thoughts. If you would only just learn to break your ideas down into separate components, you could surely attain complete control of your thoughts.

You should also understand that CBT is a joint effort involving you and your therapist. It is the therapist’s responsibility listen, teach and encourage while it is important for you to be responsible in expressing concerns and actually implement the learning.

Remember that panic attacks are physically harmful as they are nothing more than bodily sensations of anxiety and a cataclysmic misapprehension of those sensations as hazardous. Your continuous belief that you are in trouble does nothing but increase your level of stress. So it is truly advantageous to rely on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as treatment for panic attack symptoms as this method would teach you how to divert your thoughts quickly when starting to feel fear.

You also need to understand that a therapy is a process therefore one visit to our therapist’s clinic would naturally not solve the problem. It would take complete focus, discipline, and hard work for the CBT to work efficiently.  Your full cooperation is required as this CBT is considered to be a collaborative effort between the therapist and the patient.

It is very important to you to have a better understanding of panic attack symptoms. You should understand that the real problem is that your mistaken belief that you are in constant trouble and not the attack itself. By confiding on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as treat for panic attack symptoms, you could actually stop the cycle of these anxiety disorders which could deprive you to live a meaningful life.

An anxiety attack is relatively similar to a panic attack. It is characterized by an impulsive attack of fear and shock. The sufferer experiences sudden nervousness for no apparent reason at all. Other symptoms include severe chest pain that is associated with a pounding heart and rapid heart rate, cold sweating, nausea, numbing of the extremities, lightheadedness, and burning sensations on the skin, as well as illogical thoughts that may lead to losing grip of reality (as if caught in a dream state).

Like a panic attack, an anxiety attack may be felt for a few fleeting seconds or up to thirty minutes (or more) if not given immediate intervention. An anxiety attack can be episodic; after a single attack, a few more may consequently follow for the rest of the day. Its after effects – which may include nervousness, trauma or phobia- may linger on for hours or even days, depending on the gravity of the attack.

Commonly called Clonazepam in pharmacies and drugstores, Klonopin is a potent benzodiazepine drug that is prescribed to efficiently treat cases of chronic epilepsy and acute seizures. Doctors may try and prescribe Klonopin to manage panic and anxiety attacks. Klonopin is known to bring back into the normal equilibrium state certain hormonal imbalances in the brain.

Well-meaning doctors may try and prescribe Klonopin to manage panic and anxiety attacks; but like all other controlled substances, Klonopin has adverse effects. These may include blurred vision, headache, fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness, nausea, diarrhea, euphoria, confusion, nightmares, vertigo and, ironic as it may sound, even anxiety and depression. If abused, major systems of the body may also be adversely affected; anorexia, dyspnea and amnesia may result.

Panic attacks and other anxiety disorders are commonly thought of as psychological conditions that need psychotherapy sessions or medical intervention in the form of prescription drugs (high-costing controlled substances). However, anxiety disorders such as these may, in fact, be untreatable by drugs. In cases like these, prescribing drugs is like putting a band-aid solution to a deeper disease. Temporary relief is all drugs can offer to the unfortunate people afflicted with anxiety and depression. Aside from the promise of temporary escape from life’s anxieties, such maintenance drugs are quite expensive and must be strictly controlled to prevent addiction or abuse.

Doctors may try and prescribe Klonopin to manage panic and anxiety attacks, but naturopathy such as the ancient medical system of Ayurveda is a proven alternative for optimum health (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). The ancient process of yoga and meditation is also a drug-free path taken by many anxiety-afflicted persons.

These ancient legacies of the Vedic culture are an effective means to manage anxiety disorders without resorting to drugs that are laden with multiple side-effects detrimental to overall health and well-being. They holistically and effectively address the root cause of the anxiety problem and do not superficially and temporarily cover it up with drugs.

What is a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks fall under the heading of severe anxiety disorders. Many patients report that when they began having panic attacks, they did not know they were suffering from an anxiety disorder.

Panic attacks often feel like having a heart attack. Patients report that they feel as if their heart is racing and they are out of control of themselves. They break out in a sweat and find themselves frozen and unable to move.

Panic attacks can happen under any circumstances and any environment. Patients who experience them often fear being observed or watched by others when they are having an attack.

How Does Prozac Work?

Prozac falls within the classification of antidepressant medications known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. This classification of antidepressants was introduced in the 1980s as an alternative to stronger and more harmful antidepressant medications. SSRIs have also been found to be extremely effective in treating anxiety disorders, such as panic attack.

Prozac works by stopping the neurochemical serotonin from being destroyed. This neurochemical controls mood, appetite, sleep, arousal and pain. As a result, if you take Prozac or other drugs in this classification, the serotonin levels increase, which in turn provides relief from symptoms.

Treating panic attack with Prozac is extremely safe and one of the most effective treatment methods used today by psychiatrists and doctors.

Treatment of Panic Attacks with Prozac

While not clearly understood by psychiatrists and doctors, it has been found that increasing serotonin levels in the brain makes a significant difference for people who experience the disorder. Patients reports that they have a decrease in symptoms and reduced panic attack events when they take Prozac or other SSRI medications.

Treating panic and anxiety attacks with Prozac is not intended for patients who have minor experiences with infrequent attacks or the occasional feeling of anxiety. Instead, it is intended to be used and prescribed to patients with frequent panic attacks or who have continued worries about having another panic attack. Often patients with this level of anxiety disorder will tend to avoid situations or places where they believe they will experience a panic attack, reports the Mayo Clinic. These patients believe, misguidedly, that this avoidance will prevent future attacks from occurring.

Prescribed Dosage

Psychiatrists generally prescribe an initial dosage in the range of ten to sixty mg of Prozac to be taken once a day for twelve weeks. This dosage allows enough time for the patient to experience a relief from symptoms of panic attacks. At the end of twelve weeks, a doctor will often reduce the dosage to even out the levels of serotonin in the brain.

Precautions

According to the Mayo Clinic, the effects of Prozac on fetal development are not known and as a result, few doctors will prescribe Prozac to women who are pregnant. Also, Prozac is not approved to treat panic disorder for children who are experiencing the disorder.

Treating panic attacks and anxiety disorder with Prozac is also not safe if you have a history of diabetes, heart attack, liver disease, seizures, low blood sodium, bleeding problems or bipolar disorder.

Valium requires daily intake as prescribed by physicians. In an instance that you missed a dose, it is crucial for you to take it as soon as you recall that you have missed. Make sure to never take two at a time and to unconsciously double dose.

It is only natural that you would not be allowed to take Valium if you have an allergic reaction to it. Drowsiness is one effect of taking Valium so most doctors prescribe that their patients take it before bedtime.

Valium also has an effect on your attentiveness; this is why driving after taking it is not encouraged. The consumption of alcohol while taking Valium is also not advised as it could only increase each others’ effects. Both Valium and alcohol slows down the functionality of your central nervous system. Being a depressant itself, alcohol could slow down your breathing. As Valium increases the effects of alcohol, it becomes more dangerous and could cause death.

Using other drugs while on Valium medication should be seriously considered, and should be approved by your doctor. Interacting other medicines with Valium could be life threatening and fatal, which is why the amount of Valium taken while on other prescribed medications, should be closely supervised.

Valium is usually prescribed for short term relief and this is reason why it is not recommended to take it for a long period of time. Most people avoid taking Valium because of its addictive nature. If you abused this drug by using it for a really long time, you could experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop suddenly. The maximum duration that Valium is allowed to be taken is not more than four months. However, it is also critical to talk to your doctor before you stop your medication.

Never take Valium if you are pregnant or lactating, more specifically if you are on the first three months of your pregnancy as Valium could cause birth defect to infants. You should also never let children take Valium as it increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Most especially if your kids are in their teens as this is the age group considered to be the most vulnerable to stress and anxiety.

Overall, Valium is still safe for treating panic and anxiety if you would just consider all the important precautionary measures. Taken as a proper medication and with the proper supervision of a physician, it provides relief to repetitive panic attacks. After all, it is still one of the best drugs that you could rely on for panic attack symptoms relief.

Anxiety and Common Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are very commonly prescribed by psychiatrists and doctors for anxiety problems.  The most common medications include Xanax, Klonopin and Valium.

Benzodiazepines work by improving the performance of GABA, which is a neurochemical.  Without proper levels of GABA, people often feel more anxiety and experience panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety.

Benzodiazepines can reduce the symptoms of anxiety, including, shortness of breath, racing heart rate, sweating, tremors and hyperventilation.

Side Effects and Risks

Although benzodiazepines work extremely well in treating anxiety, they also have risks and side effects to them.  The most common side effect is problems with thinking and cognitive function.  This can include feelings of being unable to think clearly, being in a fog, memory problems and difficulty concentrating.  These side effects occur more often in patients who use the medications longer than a year.

Other common side effects can include being sluggish and sedated, slurred speech and difficulties with coordination and impaired ability to drive or operate heavy machinery.

Probably the most serious problem with managing anxiety with benzodiazepines is the likelihood of developing dependence of addiction to the medication.  With use over time, the body develops a tolerance for the drug.  Over the long run, it will take increased dosages in order to achieve the same effect that once was achieved with a lower dosage.

However, when monitored closely by a psychiatrist, the risk of dependency decreases and it can be entirely safe to use benzodiazepines when used correctly.

Reducing Dependency Risk On Anxiety Meds

Managing anxiety with benzodiazepines is intended as a short term treatment for anxiety symptoms.  Since tolerance can develop with regular usage, it is important to only use the medication when the symptoms are most acute and uncomfortable.

Make sure that you take the medication only as prescribed.  You can easily become dependent when you take more of the medication than is prescribed.  Avoid using the medication every day, since this can lead to tolerance.  Instead, only take the medication when you are feeling especially anxious.

Try using psychotherapy as an adjunct to medication treatment for your anxiety symptoms.  Psychotherapy can give you skills to help manage and recognize anxiety symptoms so that you do not need to use the medication as often.  The goal of psychotherapy should be a reduction in symptoms in order to help you feel more calm and in control.

Most doctors will limit your prescription to one month at a time.  This allows them to closely monitor how you are using the drug and how well it is helping to reduce the anxiety symptoms.

Finally, do not stop taking benzodiazepine medications abruptly.  Instead, taper down the dosage.  This will reduce the chances of experiencing withdrawal and a sudden increase in anxiety symptoms.