| Anxiety and panic attack therapy is | | | | medication. There are many drugs |
| effective, so sufferers can take hope. | | | | available for panic and anxiety-related |
| The time it takes to see improvements | | | | problems. If you've never been on any |
| will depend on each situation. Sometimes | | | | before, don't be afraid. |
| prescribed medications can take a few | | | | It's important to realize that |
| months before full benefits are | | | | sometimes, a medication might not work |
| realized. | | | | well for you. DON'T be upset by this. It |
| Work closely with your doctor and you | | | | happens. Tell your doctor and you'll be |
| must try your best to do what is asked, | | | | prescribed something else. There's |
| even though it can be uncomfortable | | | | always one that WILL work for you. |
| sometimes. Be prepared and motivated. | | | | It's thought that a combination of |
| Have a support person, if possible, to | | | | treatments such as CBT and medication |
| see you through tough times. This can be | | | | often produces the best results. Again, |
| a family member or friend. | | | | this depends on whether you need it or |
| Therapy Does Work | | | | not. Your doctor will tell you. |
| Having anxiety and panic attack therapy | | | | Are You Brave Enough To Try This? |
| does work. Depending on each person and | | | | Here are some tricks you can do on your |
| the severity of your problem, treatment | | | | own, but please speak to your doctor |
| and therapy can take different forms. | | | | first to be absolutely sure. If you have |
| For some, one kind of therapy will be | | | | other medical issues like asthma, lung |
| enough. For others, a combination of two | | | | or heart problems, DO NOT do this |
| or more forms may be used. Be aware that | | | | without your doctor's permission. |
| you need patience. Don't put added | | | | Purposely hyperventilate. Breathe in and |
| pressure on yourself to get well. | | | | out through your mouth (rapidly) for |
| Do not give yourself a time frame like, | | | | about 30 seconds, a little longer if you |
| "I must get well in 3 months, otherwise | | | | can manage it. This will produce some |
| I have this forever." Please don't do | | | | physical sensations and perhaps even a |
| this. If you do what you need to, you | | | | panic attack. |
| will see progress, whether you like it | | | | Spin around several times and make |
| or not! | | | | yourself dizzy. Stop and feel what you |
| Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is | | | | feel. Stay with it. If your panic |
| very effective therapy. CBT helps you | | | | affects you in the chest, try running on |
| change your thinking as well as your | | | | the spot to increase your heart rate. |
| behavior. It's very likely that you will | | | | The idea is to create sensations similar |
| use CBT for anxiety and panic. | | | | to a panic attack and slowly lose your |
| With CBT, you and your doctor can work | | | | fear of the sensations. When panic does |
| out a plan. You may be given homework to | | | | strike, it may not be so bad. Practice a |
| practice, develop a list of goals to | | | | couple of times a day. |
| gradually expose you to | | | | Anxiety and panic attack therapy can be |
| anxiety-provoking situations and keeping | | | | in various forms, but they will |
| a journal, amongst other things. | | | | eventually start to improve your |
| You may also be asked to take | | | | condition. Be patient, you can do this. |