Posts Tagged ‘Panic treatment’

Panic Treatment – The Fundamental Process Of Treating Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder

July 31st, 2010

it is no easy task to treat panic attack. Diagnoses could be very difficult since symptoms like rapid heart beating and chest pain are indicative of other serious medical conditions. However, once proper diagnosis is made, panic treatment options could be made available to the patient.

Panic treatment comes in many types. Determining which could be the best option takes serious time spent on arriving at a decision. The option is based on the best recommendations of the doctor, on side effects profile of each treatment method, and the preference of the patient.

To serve as a guide, the following explains the general process:

First, patients have to meet the criteria for panic disorder outlined by the DSM-IV, a manual published by the APA pr American Psychiatric Association that is used by any psychiatric professional in making psychiatric diagnoses. Once the patient has been check for the symptoms and he meets the requirements, substance abuse will be rule out.

If he is found to be dependent on alcohol or any addictive substance, he will then be offered maintenance program and alcohol detoxification combined with reassessment of panic disorder. If substance addition is ruled out, patient will be evaluated for his need of immediate attention. If immediate treatment is required, the patient will be given medications to control panic or anxiety alongside a well-selected combination of psychotherapies and medications.

If immediate attention is not warranted, the patient may be offered with a choice of antidepressants or CBT or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy which will last for at least 4 to 12 sessions or weeks.

Reassessment will then be initiated after 2 to 12 weeks of treatment while constantly monitoring the results achieved with therapies used as well as the side-effects of the drugs, if used. At this juncture, the patient is assessed for his degree of normal functioning as well as the absence or presence of any lingering symptoms.

If the patient is panic-free, he will be given with three different treatment options (all these options are usually used in combination) which he will undergo for the next 6 months or so. First, antidepressants will be administered for the next 6 months. The patient may be recommended with drug withdrawal and will be constantly monitored for relapse. Next, patient may be recommended with futher sessions of CBT to ensure complete treatment. Regular check-ups and follow-ups will be made to prevent relapse. Finally is the administration of benzodiazepines, which is an optional method. If benzodiazepines proves ineffective, a therapy will be recommended in place of it.

Other Panic treatment options include exposure therapy, medications like SSRIs, SNRIs and anti-depressants, complementary and alternative medicine, and self-help strategies.

Available panic treatment options are many. Consult with your doctor whether your symptoms qualify for the use of any of your preferred treatment methods or check out my website to know more about panic attacks and panic disorder.

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Panic Treatment – Recommendation Based On The DSM-IV

July 23rd, 2010

It is difficult to treat panic disorder, a form of anxiety disorder. Diagnoses could prove very challenging since the condition shares the same symptoms as other serious medical conditions. But, after a diagnosis is made, panic treatment options can be made available.

There are several different options of treatment. Deciding which could be the best option takes serious time spent on arriving at a decision. The option is based on the best recommendations of the doctor, on side effects profile of each treatment method, and the preference of the patient.

The following presents the general process of choosing treatment options for patients of panic disorder:

First, patients have to meet the criteria for panic disorder outlined by the DSM-IV, a manual published by the APA pr American Psychiatric Association that is used by any psychiatric professional in making psychiatric diagnoses. If the patient qualifies in the parameters set by the DSM-IV, he will be then asked whether or not he is an alcoholic or is dependent on alcohol.

If he is found to be dependent on alcohol or any addictive substance, he will then be offered maintenance program and alcohol detoxification combined with reassessment of panic disorder. If substance addition is ruled out, patient will be evaluated for his need of immediate attention. If immediate treatment is required, the patient will be given medications to control panic or anxiety alongside a well-selected combination of psychotherapies and medications.

If the patient doesn’t require immediate treatment, he may be administered with either antidepressants or CBT or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy which may run anywhere from 4 to 12 sessions or until the panic symptoms are cured.

During this period, patient will be continuously monitored for improvements and side effects of the drug being administered. At this juncture, the patient is assessed for his degree of normal functioning as well as the absence or presence of any lingering symptoms.

Once the patient finishes treatment, the physician will offer continuous monitoring of symptoms and further treatment. First, antidepressant drugs will be administered for the next 6 months. During this period, patient may undergo drug withdrawal. Next, patient may be recommended with more sessions of CBT to ensure complete treatment. Regular follow-ups will be made to prevent relapse. Finally, the physician will recommend the use of benzodiazepine (an optional treatment). If the use of this drug proves unsuccessful, patient will be offered with CBT (if not yet put in effect) or greater focus will be put on the use of CBT.

Other panic treatment options comprise of psychological therapies like exposure therapy, use of medications like MAOIs, SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and SNRIS, self-help strategies, and alternative approaches.

Available panic treatment options are many. Check with your doctor whether your symptoms qualify for the use of any of your preferred treatment methods or check out my website to know more about panic attacks and panic disorder.

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Options For Agoraphobia Treatment

June 24th, 2010

Not a lot of people understand what agoraphobia is. All too often it has been misunderstood as a fear of wide open spaces because of the name that it has. In reality, this phobia has something to do with anxiety and panic disorders. It gets its name because people affected by it may fear going to places with lots of people.

The real root of agoraphobia stems from the panic attacks that a person may experience. When anxiety is present a person can begin to panic and feel things such as nausea, palpitations and extreme fear among other things. This can cause one to feel like they are losing it or that they might be going crazy. It is the dear of having panic attacks in public that can make people withdraw themselves.

Among all the treatments for this mental disorder the most common that doctors turn to are anti-anxiety and ant-depressant medications. These have known to be effective for short term use; however continued use can bring about high tolerance levels for the drugs as well as dependence and even addiction. These are best used on a short term basis.

Other than the usual medication alternative methods are also available for treating agoraphobia. There are many different cures that you will find under this including the use of aromatherapy, herbs and relaxation. All these are geared at reducing stress and keeping things natural. Many of these have shown positive side effects.

A good approach to treating agoraphobia without taking in anything is through psychotherapy. There are actually several different approaches when it comes to using this but the most popular remains to be the cognitive approach. With this sufferers are made to realize the effects of their thoughts and actions. They are also taught how to create more positive ones.

We all know that exercise is good for the body; but what many agoraphobia sufferers are not aware of is that it is good for the mind as well. A little bit of regular exercise can go a long way and help lessen or even eliminate the presence of anxiety and panic attacks. It helps the body create the needed chemicals to stay happy and be in a good mood.

Some people find that they cannot completely get rid of panic attacks. This does not mean though that you cannot lessen it or stop it once it begins. With the use of breathing techniques, you can help to stop the onset of panic attacks and lessen the anxiety that comes with agoraphobia. All you need to do is to learn how to breath properly to calm yourself down.

Of course there is also a mixed approach to treatments. If you cannot find a single cure that works then you can also go ahead and try different ones at the same time. You may eventually strike a balance that will help you get rid of agoraphobia successfully.

With her first hand experience on agoraphobia and other mental disorders Qandisha Brawn has become an expert on the topic. She has written numerous articles on topics like agoraphobia cures to increase awareness and help those suffering from these disorders.

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