Panic Attack Medications - New Hope For Many Who Suffer
Last year, there were some 40 million Americans treated for anxiety and panic disorders. If you are one of the many who are experiencing sever panic attacks on a regular basis, there are treatment options available that can reduce or eliminate the panic attacks. Don’t let panic attacks rule your life any longer. Read on to learn about some of the panic attack medications available.
The most commonly prescribed panic attack medication is one of the various forms of antidepressants. These medications help to keep your anxiety and stress levels down to a manageable level. They also help with any depression conditions you may have, which is not uncommon in anxiety disorder patients. There is a chemical imbalance in your brain that is responsible for the magnified effects of everyday stresses. Two main neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine) are related to your mood, and these are the chemicals targeted by antidepressants.
While most antidepressants work by correcting the levels of these neurotransmitters in your brain, how they go about it can be completely different from product to product. The panic attack medications Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac are all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan are all a class of antidepressant called benzodiazapines. Norpramin, Anafranil, and Tofranil are tricyclic antidepressants. Parnate and Nardil are both monomine oxidase inhibitors. These last two types are prescribed much more rarely nowadays than the first two classifications of antidepressant. Knowing what type of antidepressant you are currently taking is very important, as some other medications, even over-the-counter ones, can react badly with certain classes of antidepressant. Always ask your doctor about any possible drug interactions.
All of these panic attack medications, while usually quite effective, can have some unpleasant side effects. Usually these side effects are most pronounced if your dosage is too high, they can occur at any dosage. The more common side effects of antidepressants include: dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, blurred vision, sexual problems, nausea, heart palpitations, racing heart, weight gain, nightmares, insomnia, and nervousness. While some of these side effects may be better than having panic attacks, if they are too much they can cause more stress than the medications relieve. If at any time you feel that the side effects are just too much, you should discuss changing your medication with your doctor.
Remember, everyone is different. All medication do not effect everybody the same way. What works for one person may not work for you, and it can take time and effort to find the panic attack medications that work best for you. Your doctor may have to change your panic attack medication several times, but with so many different antidepressant and dosages available to try odds are good that you will find the medications that work for you. And once you have found the panic attack medications that best control your symptoms, don’t stop taking them just because you are feeling better. The medicines just deal with the symptoms, they are not a final cure for your panic disorder.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/panic-attack-medications-new-hope-for-many-who-suffer-709329.html
11 Responses to “Panic Attack Medications - New Hope For Many Who Suffer”
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November 28th, 2009 12:20 am
I’m 29 weeks and have panic attacks…?
thank you guys for your advice, i am glad to know that i am not the only one it does help in a weird way to know that. thanks for being supportive! 
hi, i am 29 weeks along and suffer from panic attacks, does anyone here have this? i cannot take medication for it right now and was hoping someone could give me advice on what to try to calm myself down. thanks for helping.
November 28th, 2009 5:22 am
It helps me to go into a dark room & close my eyes.
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November 28th, 2009 5:24 am
my mom started taking a complex calcium supplement for night panic attacks and they just stopped. stop working or get more sleep.
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November 28th, 2009 5:26 am
I get panic attacks but I’m not pregnant. But also I do not take meds for them. I just tell myself I’m in control of what is giving me the attack I take a deep breath and tell myself it’s not as bad as it seems and that works at least for me.
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November 28th, 2009 5:28 am
I know how you feel. I have anxiety issues, sometimes it can be pretty bad. there are some natural things you can take though. There’s Rescue Remedy by Bach, or Calms Forte by Hyland. Just check with your doc. It always helps me to talk to people when I get really panicky. Just remember to take deep breaths and try to relax.(I know it’s easier said then done) Good luck, and don’t worry, you’re not alone!
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November 28th, 2009 5:30 am
I sympathize with you… I have had my share of panic attacks and during pregnancy they seem to be more intense… I just try to remove myself from whatever is causing it… even if only in my mind… and try to think of things that make me happy… not sure what else you may do… Congratulations on your pregnancy and best wishes to you….
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Mother of 4 currently 23 weeks pregnant with twins!
November 28th, 2009 5:32 am
Hey! I m 22 weeks pregnant and I suffer from pannick attacks. I had my first pannick attack for the first time in years 3 weeks ago. My doctor said that sometimes pregnancy will bring that on. Im not clear as to why this is, but it happends. Usually for me when I have a panick attack it will happen anywhere from 2-4 in the morning right out of sleep. Is what I found was helpful, was to wake my fiance up and have him calm me down. He just sat there and cracked jokes to make me laugh and take my mind off of my attack. It worked. I found that when I used to get them as a child I would go to my step sisters room at night and wake her up and have her talk to me. It always got me to stop. I also have an inhaler which by the way you can have while you are pregnant. It sometimes helps with the hard breathing. Hang in there girl~! Your not alone. <3
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November 28th, 2009 5:34 am
yes lay down with an icepack and relax and take deep breaths
turn the lights down as bright lights can make you dizzey n maybe put some calming music on
thats what i do
i send myself to the hospital over a panic atttack once n my heartbeat was 142 beats per min but it was all cuz i was doing it to myself u jus gotta be aware of it and know when you are doing it and that nothing will happen
but there are certain medications you can take if it is to bad jus consult your doctor prior n see wat he says
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November 28th, 2009 5:36 am
Lamaze classes. It will teach you how to control your breathing and help with your attacks.
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November 28th, 2009 5:38 am
i get panic attack and i usually do breathing exercise and tell my self there is nothing wrong ,everything fine, nothings going to happen
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November 28th, 2009 5:40 am
i’m 29 weeks and on bed rest…. my heart rate speeds up *120+* and i pass out due to panic attacks… i stayed really bad stressed out before i got pregnant.. and that didn’t get any better once i got pregnant. it seems like i worry about having this done and that done and i have everything for the baby so it’s all done and gotten when the baby gets here. i have noticed that when i get stressed out taking a nice long bath helps… sometimes talking to someone about what’s stressing you out or causing your panic attacks helps also… if you in a situation that makes you feel uncomfertable or you have some sympthoms( shortness of breath, pain in your chest, upset out of no where) of a panic attack coming on just get up and leave… that seems to be the best thing i do to prevent actually having the attack…
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29 weeks pregnant.. with panic attacks….