Treatment for Panic Attacks

Do You or Someone You Love Need Panic attack Treatment?

If you or your loved one has experienced the fear and terror of suffering a panic attack, you may understand the difficulty in attempting to live life normally on a daily basis.  After having a panic attack, you may live each day in dread or anticipation of experiencing another episode, severely restricting yourself physically, emotionally, and socially. There are numerous ways in which your life can be impacted by panic attacks, such as feeling as though your body is failing or being socially unable to connect to others.  For these reasons, in addition to minimizing the chances of having reoccurring panic attacks, it is crucial that you seek the help and support from a panic attack treatment center.  If left untreated, panic attacks can continue to negatively influence the various aspects of your life.  By recognizing the severity of this disorder and the necessity for assistance and support, you will be taking the first and most important step towards healing and recovery.  While you may not be certain that panic attack treatment is needed for you or your loved one, it is helpful to address these concerns with qualified professionals in this area of expertise. Having professional treatment for panic attacks can offer much needed healing and guidance during a time that can be seemingly dark, isolated, and fearful.  You do not have to endure this burden alone – help is available for you and your loved ones today.

Treatment Plan for Panic attack

In order to appropriately address the panic attack healing process, it will be necessary to enlist the help of loved ones and professionals alike.  By doing this, you will be creating a skilled team of specialists who will work with you throughout this process.  This team will consist of loved ones, a therapist, a panic attack healing program, and a support group. These four components will build a strong foundation that will fortify your ability to heal from a panic attack.

  • Loved ones – Loved ones will play a significant part in the healing process and cannot be undervalued. They will provide support and help when therapy and treatment becomes challenging.
  • Find a therapist – A therapist who specializes in panic attacks will be able to create an individualized treatment plan. They will also help find and provide the resources needed for healing.
  • Licensed counselor – A licensed counselor will be able to create a personalized panic attack treatment program. They are also important in making the arrangements to enter a panic attack treatment facility.
  • Continuing groups of support – The motivation and accountability provided by a support group is invaluable. A support group can offer supervision when facing tests of ending treatment and taking medications. They will play a key role in ongoing success.

Treatment Levels for Panic attack

In order to appropriately address the various needs of individuals who may suffer with panic attacks, ranging levels of treatment are available for treatment, ranging based on needs and symptoms of a man, women, adolescent or child dealing with this issue. Your doctor or therapist can help in determining what level of care you might need for addressing your panic attack.  The following are common levels of care for panic attack treatment, in order of acuity:

  • Outpatient Level of Care – This level of outpatient care offers preventive or maintenance care and psychotherapy to help minimize fear or stress. There are fewer individual limits placed on the patient, but personal treatment and group sessions are still applied.
  • Treatment with Support Groups – This type of treatment is important as the members help alleviate the trials of relapsing. The group can supply much needed care and compassion on the road to recovery.

Types of Pharmacological Therapy for Panic attack Treatment

While there are no approved medications on the market for preventing panic attacks, some medications are commonly used to help minimize some of the symptoms that can lead to a panic attack, such as fear and anxiety. Individuals typically respond well to psychotherapy, but medications such as antidepressants and beta-blockers may help alleviate many symptoms.  Due to lack of evidence, use of medication in treatment is typically determined on a case by case basis by the evaluating treatment team.

Types of Therapy for Panic attack Treatment

Psychotherapy is one of the best established tools for addressing the root concerns of panic attacks.  A panic attack treatment center will integrate several psychotherapy techniques to promote healing in the life of an individual dealing with panic attack.  The following are the main types of psychotherapies that may be used for the treatment of panic attack:

  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – The level of therapy provided by IPT centers upon the interpersonal connections and community functions utilizing brief supportive treatment and also tries to assist the person to better resolve existing situations and troubles. The four main parts acknowledged by IPT are role changes, relationship shortcomings, unresolved grief, and role disputes.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This level of treatment works toward changing maladaptive thinking patterns so the patient can modify their behavior in a positive way. This also allows negative coping skills to be replaced with positive coping skills.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – ACT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies combined in various ways with commitment and behavior-change strategies. This is to increase mental and emotional flexibility.
  • Supportive Programs – This includes groups such as support groups, group therapy, family therapy, etc.  The support these programs offer to those suffering with bipolar disorder is invaluable.

If you are seeking help and healing from a panic attack, you are choosing to find hope, health, and healing through your difficulties.  While enduring a panic attack, you may have suffered much due to this mental disorder, but you do not have to bear this burden alone.  With the availability of help and resources for overcoming panic attack, you can get your life back on track and learn healthy ways to cope with stressful circumstances.  A panic attack treatment center can be invaluable to helping you get started on the right track of recovery.  Consider taking the first step towards healing today and access the resources available on Addiction Hope to get started on your recovery journey.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on April 15th, 2013
Published on AddictionHope.com, Online Addiction Treatment Resources