ABC of Panic Attacks

The first and the foremost mandate for the panic attack treatment is a good doctor. It is only the doctor who knows the exact status of the disorder.
If you are looking to cure panic disorder, then there might be a long queue of questions that you might want to ask. "Are there any anxiety attack medications?" "Are these medications effective?" "What are the side effects of these medications?" These are only a few. However, the list is endless. You can get your answers from the therapist or the doctor. In this world of competition, every one wants to excel. So does the pharmaceutical companies. And in the race of being ahead, they tend to confuse the patient. This confusion might probe him into over the counter panic medication.

While you are out for taking a panic attack treatment, make sure you end up your search with a good doctor or therapist. It is only the doctor who would properly look at each and every aspect, analyze the situation and advice you the right cure. Once the treatment is started, its your responsibility to carry it forward properly. Doctor is just a guide and a mere help. He can only prescribe the medication, making its full use it up to you.

One class of medications that is often prescribed by the doctors or therapists are Tricyclic Antidepressants. These medications are known to reduce the symptoms of panic disorder to a great extent. As with all good medications you also get few side effects, Tricyclic Antidepressants are also known to have few side effects. Common side effects that are seen during the treatment of Tricyclic Antidepressants are as follows:

-You may experience inability to defecate or even have constipation problems
-You may have difficulty in urinating
-You may experience blurred vision
-You may have problems while engaging in any form of sexual activities, including sexual intercourse
-If you are a male, then you may experience erectile dysfunction
-You may have over-sensitivity when exposed to sunlight
-You may have excessive sweating

Other side effects includes irritability, jitteriness, possible weight gain, unusual sleeping habits, and hyperactivity. These symptoms can be put to s stop with some mild medication. However, if they are unbearable, you should let the doctor know about it.

Some of the common examples if tricyclic anti depressants are Nortriptyline, Desipramine, Doxepin, Imipramine, Amitriptyline, Venlafaxine, Clomipramine.

Another class of medications that is very effective in the treatment of panic disorder is Benzodiazepines. It is known fact that this class of medications has considerable effect on people suffering from generalized panic disorders. If you ask any doctor or medical professional about the success rate of this medication then the answer will be in the range of 70 to 80 percentages. This rate is very good considering the factors of age, lifestyle, and medical condition of the patients.

Benzodiazepines like the other anxiety attacks medications, also has side effects which the patients need to bear. Common side effects of the Benzodiazepines medications are reduced and decreased mental toughness, inability to speak clearly, drowsiness, mood swings etc. In addition to these side effects, the patient may also get easily agitated with the little provocation. Due to these side effects, there is an urgent need to tell your family, friends, and office colleagues about the medication that you are on.

Speaking your problem out to the people around you would make your heart lighter and ease your tension.

Some of the good doctors would like the family and friends of the patient to know as to what is the patient going through. He would let them know about the first aid procedures that the patient would require in case he faces a panic attack. The would sometime like to address all the friends and family members together in a big meeting.

By Beth Kaminski
Published: 8/24/2009
 
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