How To Control Panic Attacks - Continued
Treatment Options
There are several medications that are currently in use
for controlling panic attacks these days, and most of them focus on what is
considered to be the underlying cause – stress and anxiety. These medications include Prozac and other serotonin reuptake
inhibitors, and they are not without side effects.
Individuals who don’t take their medications regularly can experience
fairly high instances of relapse, so it is extremely important to continue
to take any such medicine as it is prescribed. It may also be necessary for your doctor to work with you to get you
on the right medication – they all don’t work the same way for everyone, and
you may have to try a few before
you find the one that works for you.
While medication may be indicated for controlling panic attacks, there are other things that can help, and which should be incorporated into a treatment regimen even if you do take medicine. These include breathing and relaxation exercises. Breath control for controlling attacks works on the same principle as Lamaze breathing for childbirth. Focusing on how you are breathing accomplishes a couple of different things – first it gives you something to focus on other than the panic you are feeling, and secondly, it helps to cleanse your lungs. Probably the most effortless exercise you will ever do, breath control is simply a matter of taking a deep breath in, and then slowly letting it out, and then repeating several times.
Relaxation techniques range from those that are taught by professionals to things you can do on your own. They can be as simple as a warm bath, or as demanding as a class in Yoga or Tai Chi. Almost always, though, relaxation techniques incorporate breath control, so learning to control your breathing should be the first step.
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Making a Plan
It is important to acknowledge that controlling panic attacks is going to take some effort on your part. It will not be easy, but if you are a sufferer of panic attacks, you know that it will be worth it. You must be willing to practice relaxation and breathing techniques, to faithfully take any medications that are prescribed to you, and to see a healthcare professional when you need to. Make a plan that incorporates all the different ways you can control panic and stick to it. If you do, your chances of controlling panic attacks will be greater than allowing them to control you.
