Panic Attacks can be disabling. Have you ever woke-up sweating with your heart-pounding in the middle of the night? Do you find yourself fearful and scared for no reason? Do you have hand sweating and chest tightness out of no where? Is your panic sometimes disabling? It sounds like you may have Panic Disorder.
Most person don’t really want to admit to having any mental illness. Usually panic is a signal that an unconscious conflict is present. The conflicts could be a bad supervisor, strained relationship and or financial woes. When the stress becomes unchained in the unconscious-it is released in the conscious. This is when you experience the dreaded panic attack. if your panic is disabling, cliinical intervention is essential.
A Few of the Signs/Symptoms of a “Panic Attack”
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness
- hand sweating
- fear of being in small spaces
- shortness of breath
- feelings of death/doom
- out-of-body experience
Are they treatable-Panic Attacks? Yes, we have a lot of ways to treat Panic Disorder. First, you need a clinical work-up. You have to be sure that there is no medical condition causing the anxiety. Sometimes heart and or thyroid diseases mimic panic issues. You must be evaluated by a physician. Once cleared, then the work begins. You may have to drill down on some very difficult memories or current situations in therapy.
Treatment recommendations:
- Some physicians use SSRI or SNRIs to treat the panic disorder long-term.
- Usually, a benzodiazepine (Xanax or Klonopin) is initially needed, also.
- Process Therapy
- Once stable, some physicians may give you a few BZs to take in the case of an emergency.
- However, you should remain under the care of a physician until stable.
As with most mental illness, they are treatable. However, you can be conservative. You should be sure that the clinician you are working with has the experience to handle the problem that you are presenting with at this time. All clinicians don’t have the same competencies.
For more information, please check out my website at www.drowensmd.com. Also, if you are experiencing anxiety symptoms and want more help call 404-575-4785 and schedule an appointment with the office in Atlanta.
Thanks for stopping by,
Dr.O
