Posts tagged "Alternative"

Why Panic Attack Medication May Not Be Your Only Alternative

Why Panic Attack Medication May Not Be Your Only Alternative

When somebody uses the term “having a panic attack” in jest, the reaction is usually one of amusement from those in receipt of the comment. The reality is though, over 30 per cent of people will have an episode at some stage of their lives but it’s those who suffer from it on a daily basis, the chronic sufferers, who would find such a comment less than amusing.

You see, for a chronic sufferer, living in fear of an attack has repercussions such as social withdrawal and loss of control and for these people, it’s a daily grind living from one episode to another.

Panic Attack Medication

Medications are available for people suffering from panic disorder. The question is, are these medications just a quick fix solution or do they actually help a sufferer eliminate it from their lives entirely? Medication for panic attack comes in different forms from what are known as Beta blockers to antidepressants.

Beta blockers are a class of drug designed to relieve heavy work load on the heart and control high blood pressure. What has this got to do with panic attack? Well, one of the frightening symptoms is the pounding heart. It’s such a scary experience that those who have experienced it often confuse it with having a heart attack. They are useful in their application but again, treat the symptom rather than the underlying problem.

Depression is a result of constant episodes of panic disorder and antidepressants are effective in treating it. For chronic sufferers, drugs with a tranquilizing effect known as Benzodiazepines also have proven effective in reducing the symptoms.

The above medication has it’s place amongst the list of panic attack treatments however, while patients report being able to control and reduce the incidence of an episode while using them, relapses are possible if the drugs are discontinued while in the case of Benzidiazepines, there’s also a risk of dependency.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Medications are considered a fix for the symptoms of panic disorder however, getting to the cause of the underlying problem is best achieved through counselling. A popular form of counselling is Cognitive-behavioural therapy and it’s aim is to modify certain thoughts and behaviour patterns to control the symptoms.

An example of this type of treatment involves working with a therapist and basically predicting when a panic attack is going to occur. How does this help you? The idea is you will learn of ways to deal or respond to a panic attack which will help eliminate the fear of having another attack. Your therapist will introduce you to effective exercises designed to identify your destructive or fearful thought patterns and alter them.

The process can usually be a long and involved one and eventually, when a patient is confident of controlling their attacks, they are introduced to controlled situations or areas where they have experienced or had cause to experience panic attacks in the past.

Panic Attack Vs. Anxiety Attack?

There is some confusion surrounding the difference between a panic and anxiety attack. The former is will happen without too much warning and has severe symptoms associated with it while anxiety tends to build up and last longer.

Will You Continue To Let Panic Attack Control Your Life?

While the side effects of medication or the stigma attached with counselling may be unacceptable for some, the truth is, doing nothing about chronic panic attack will not improve someone’s chances of being free from it. You need to take the first step and seek professional advice and then steer a course which suits you best in controlling panic attack in your life.

Anxiety Without Medication – #1 Alternative For Treating Anxiety And Panic Attacks

Anxiety Without Medication – #1 Alternative For Treating Anxiety And Panic Attacks

If you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and visit a doctor or psychiatrist – you are almost always going to be given a prescription for medication. This is simply because doctors don’t have much time and believe it to be the fastest solution to your anxiety problem.

 Most doctors have the best intentions but simply do not spend all their time in finding alternatives for these chemicals that may cause many unpleasant side effects.

 Here you will find some very good reasons to treat your anxiety without medication – and the best natural alternative for doing exactly that.

Why should you try to get rid of anxiety without medication?

First of all, you must know that medication will not cure anxiety disorders! It can only keep them under control while, and if, you receive psychotherapy!

Second, anxiety medication can cause different problems – from mild to severe ones. The most common side effect is drowsiness. You really don’t need that while you are working, driving, or doing anything else. High-potency benzodiazepines have few side effects other than drowsiness. You can very easily get used to them and may need higher and higher doses to get the same effect. In short, they are very addictive.

Other possible side effects include:

Headaches, nausea
dizziness
unsteadiness
problems with coordination
difficulty thinking or remembering
increased saliva
muscle or joint pain
frequent urination
blurred vision
changes in sex drive or ability

Another reason to cope with anxiety without medication:  The minute you stop taking them, anxiety will return full blown. Do you need any more reasons for managing your anxiety without medication?

#1 Alternative for treating anxiety without medication – Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is very useful in treating anxiety disorders. The cognitive part helps you change the thinking patterns that support your fears, and the behavioral part helps you change the way you react to anxiety-provoking situations.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches you to understand and change your thinking patterns so you can react differently to the situations that cause you anxiety. Makes sense, right? And this is exactly how you should eliminate your anxiety without medication – and forever.

 How does it work?

You are probably well aware that a panic attack is a ‘fight or flight’ response to a perceived threat. In short, a separate part of your brain becomes more active during a panic attack.

The problem, as you well know, is that once the panic attack begins and that heightened state of fear starts, it is very difficult to calm yourself down. In order to calm yourself you need the brains mental activity to change. Deep breathing, for instance, will not help you. All deep breathing does is try and restore calm to the body. Trying to mentally calm the body is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.

Just coping with this condition is not good enough. Cognitive Therapy will teach you how to free yourself from ever having another panic attack.

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