Coping with Panic Attacks

If you're searching for a way to cope with anxiety disorder, then rest assured in knowing that there are many solutions available. Perhaps the most severe manifestation of anxiety is a panic attack, and likewise, coping with it is that much more difficult. But, there is always hope, and the 1st step is coping with panic attacks is to understand the disorder and its root causes.

Genetics do influence the likelihood of experiencing a panic disorder, since studies conducted on families and twins have shown a link. Infact, the likelihood of an individual developing panic disorder is 4 to 7 times more likely if they have a 1st-degree biological relative suffering from a similar condition. The National Institue of Mental Health suggest that between 3 to 6 million Americans suffer from this condition, with women being affected twice as much as men. Although genetics been shown to be a possible cause, almost one half of people with panic disorder do not have close relatives with similar problems.

Another cause of panic attacks is environmental triggers, or certain stimuli, places and situations that can trigger an attack. This is highly subjective, since each patient can have a unique set of environmental triggers. For some individuals, on the other hand, attacks can occur without any apparent danger or external stimuli, even in the absence of normal stress. It seems that traumatic events can be a recurring source or trigger, making it difficult to cope with panic attacks unless the memory of such events is forgotten or perceived differently through psychological treatment.

Two of the ill-effects of panic disorder are depression and alcohol/drug abuse. Infact, depression is often associated with panic disorder, and the higher frequency of suicide attempts amongst sufferers further reinforces this link. Alcohol is abused by approximately 30 percent of people with panic disorder, while drugs are abused by 17 percent, with cocaine and marijuana being frequently used. It is important to note that drugs and alcohol should not be used in coping with panic attacks, as they can make the condition far worse.

When looking for treatment options, it is beneficial to surround yourself like like-minded individuals who are dedicated to fighting this disorder. Patient-run support groups can be very encouraging and a great source of information. They meet atleast on a weekly basis, with patients sharing each other's experiences, strategies, progress and so on.

Medication shoud be used a last resort, when more natural means have not yielded results. In such cases, consult your doctor first and discuss all the possible side effects of various types of medication. A drug that you might want to discuss with your healthcare provider is Paxil, as it has been shown in studies to reduce the likelihood of a panic attack. This study was conducted over a period of 6 months.

Two other treatment options are antidepressants and benzodiazepines. More specifically, serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants have both been shown to successfully reduce the severity of panic symptoms and/or eliminate panic attacks entirely. Benzodiazepines are a more potent medicine and they can work faster than antidepressants, however, the likelihood of dependence is high, and the side effects are also more prominent, such as sleepiness, impaired coordination and a slower reaction time. If you are prescribed benzodiazepines, make sure to taper off the medications slowly rather than suddenly discontinuing use, in order to avoid unwanted withdrawal symptoms.

There are many more ways for coping with panic attacks, and we suggest that you look at all the natural and alternative means before deciding to use prescription medication. Here are some natural remedies for anxiety and panic attacks...

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