Anxiety Attack Treatment Tips

Anxiety attacks, otherwise known as panic attacks, are a sudden rush of extreme fear and anxiety. You will have physical symptoms that mimic a heart attack as well as disturbing thoughts that you may be dying or going insane. Once you begin an anxiety attack treatment you will be much better off.

Attacks may happen anywhere and at any time, even when you are sleeping. The symptoms appear quickly and typically peak in 10 minutes and the attack is normally through in under an hour.

Causes of Attacks

No one knows for sure what causes anxiety/panic attacks, although they are known to run in families. Other possible causes are severe stress, significant life changes or certain medical conditions. In some people, attacks may also be brought on by stimulants. This is why it's best to have your doctor determine the reason for your attacks.

Anxiety Attack Treatment

Therapy is the preferred treatment although medication may also be prescribed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Behavior modification is the number one choice of mental health professionals for treating anxiety attacks. The focus of this therapy is to alter the way you think and behave so your attacks won't be as terrifying.

Exposure therapy

This type of anxiety attack treatment makes you experience attack symptoms, like hyperventilation, in a controlled setting. By experiencing symptoms time and time again in this manner, you will begin to fear them less.

Medication

Medication is sometimes used to try and relieve symptoms of anxiety. However, since no medication can treat the root cause of anxiety they should just be used to compliment other forms of anxiety attack treatment.

Some popular anxiety attack drugs are:

Antidepressants: It can take a month or more for these to take effect. They are not a quick fix drug you can take during an attack.

Benzodiazepines: Also known as tranquilizers, these work quickly in calming you down. But these drugs should not be used on a long-term basis as they are addictive.

Self-help Treatments

Besides therapy, you can also try a few self-help treatments as well:

Understand your anxiety: Just finding out more about your symptoms, and knowing that they are not harmful, can greatly reduce the severity of your attacks.

Say no to smoking and caffeine: In some cases, attacks are triggered by coffee and cigarettes. So don't drink caffeinated beverages or smoke.

Breathing exercises: Deep breathing exercises allow you to control how you breathe during attacks so that you won't experience other symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness.

Relaxation techniques: You can relieve stress and anxiety by meditating, doing yoga or learning muscle relaxation techniques. These methods will relax you as well as make you feel content.

Regardless of which anxiety attack treatment you choose, you must make an effort to see it through in order to get results. If you don't, your attacks may become more severe, more frequent and may develop into panic disorder.

You can get further anxiety attack treatment details by visiting http://www.anxietycuresite.com/anxiety-attack-treatment/.