
They come in three groups: tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Antidepressants are mood boosters, and positive moods can decrease the likelihood of anxiety attacks. AntidepressantsĪntidepressants are another common panic attack medication, although they are more effective for other anxiety disorders. These medications have a mild sedative property and may cause dependence, but tend to work because they reduce the activity of nerves in the brain responsible for emotional changes. Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin are some of the most common. In those cases, you may be prescribed any or all of the following medications: Benzodiazepinesīenzodiazepines are a powerful anti-anxiety drug that is often prescribed for panic attacks. In some cases the attacks may be so severe that some temporary relief is needed. Types of Medications for Panic Attacksĭespite these problems, panic attack medications do have their place. While you may find some relief from your panic attacks, you may also suffer from fatigue and other significant side effects.
Medications for panic attacks don't address the root cause of them. Unfortunately, panic attacks are more common when you fear panic attacks as soon as you start to come off medication you're going to focus on whether or not you are having a panic attack, which makes you more likely to have them. This can lead to upping the dosage or having to change medications.
Some individuals build up a tolerance to the medication, finding that they are no longer effective at their usual dosage. Many also lead to dependency which can cause significant withdrawal symptoms.
Thoughts and Coming Off Meds Medications for panic attacks cannot be taken forever, nor should they. While uncommon, some people actually see a panic attack increase because of the way the symptoms of these medications make them feel. Most are created for anxiety, but not for panic, and while the two are related, since they're both anxiety disorders, they are still caused by different thought processes and physical reactions. No Guarantee Many of these medications also are not guaranteed to reduce panic attacks. For some this is worthwhile however many find the side effects of medication to be undesirable. So powerful, in fact, that they can cause severe fatigue, a loss of energy, and sometimes even personality changes. Tranquilizers and Personality Changes In order to prevent panic attacks, the drugs provided for panic disorder are incredibly powerful. There are however side effects and other issues to consider: If your panic attacks are severe, other treatment options aren't working and you need immediate help, they can provide that relief. Medications will always have their place. Often people find that once they stop taking the medication, their symptoms return. While you should always follow your doctor's advice, you should also know that medication alone will not eliminate panic attacks. Often doctors will recommend a medication for treating panic attacks. It is common for people to seek help from their primary care physician rather than thinking that they are suffering from a mental health issue. That's because the physical symptoms of panic attacks are very similar to serious health disorders. It's extremely common to find out you have panic attacks from a medical doctor, rather than a psychologist. You need to commit to a therapy treatment which can get at the root cause for your anxiety symptoms. Mental health disorders cannot be cured by medicine alone. In this article, we'll discuss some of the most common medication recommendations for treating panic attacks. Often one of the first treatment options that you'll consider is medication. Panic attacks can be debilitating, often causing stress that interferes with daily functioning. Suffering from panic attacks can be like having non-fatal heart attacks.