| While occasional and mild panic attacks can often be | | | | • SSRI Antidepressants. SSRIs, or Selective |
| self treated with relaxation techniques and other | | | | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are by far the most |
| alternative therapies, severe panic attacks, which may | | | | commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of |
| be a sign of a larger anxiety disorder, often require | | | | panic attacks. Many doctors believe that panic and |
| medical attention. In these cases, conventional | | | | anxiety may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the |
| treatments, including both prescribed medication and | | | | brain, specifically involving the neurotransmitter |
| psychotherapy, may be warranted. | | | | serotonin. The medicines used to counteract this - |
| Occasional panic attacks can be very unnerving and | | | | including amongst others, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and |
| bothersome, but when the symptoms of these | | | | Effexor - can help restore that balance and bring |
| episodes are so severe that they begin to interfere | | | | long-term relief from panic and anxiety related |
| with a person's ability to function and meet everyday | | | | symptoms. |
| responsibilities, it may be time to consider medical | | | | • Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are |
| attention. Conventional treatment for panic attacks | | | | fast-acting medicines used primarily for the treatment |
| usually involves a two-pronged approach: medication | | | | of anxiety and panic disorder. The medication in this |
| to help ease and reduce the severity of the | | | | class of drugs - including such names as Valium, |
| symptoms, and therapy to try and address the | | | | Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin - can be especially helpful |
| underlying cause of the anxiety. | | | | in reducing panic attack symptoms as they are |
| Medication for Panic Attacks | | | | occurring. These medicines should be used with |
| After a person experiences an initial panic attack, the | | | | extreme caution, however, as they can be extremely |
| fear of having another episode can become so | | | | addictive. |
| profound that it interferes with his or her ability to | | | | Psychotherapy |
| function normally and to meet everyday | | | | Usually, medication is not wholly sufficient to keep |
| responsibilities. In this state of constant anxiety, it | | | | panic attacks from recurring, which is why it is often |
| becomes almost inevitable that a subsequent panic | | | | combined with therapy. Psychotherapy, often called |
| attack will occur. Medication can help to lessen the | | | | talk therapy, is a process in which the panic attack |
| effects of this anxiety and bring relief to the panic | | | | sufferer sits down with a licensed professional to help |
| attack sufferer. | | | | work through the underlying factors which may be |
| The medication available for panic attacks has come a | | | | causing the anxiety. Once a possible cause is |
| long way in recent years and when combined with | | | | identified, this therapy can help provide healthier |
| behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, these drugs can | | | | solutions for dealing with the stressor(s). |
| be a very effective component in an overall treatment | | | | When panic attacks are severe enough that they limit |
| strategy. While this medication is not a cure, it can | | | | a person's ability to function normally, it may be time to |
| significantly reduce the severity and frequency of the | | | | seek medical attention. Conventional treatment for |
| symptoms. | | | | panic attacks, including medication and psychotherapy, |
| The following is a brief description of the two most | | | | is the preferred treatment method of most doctors |
| commonly prescribed medicines for panic and anxiety | | | | and mental health professionals. |
| disorder: | | | | |