Question:
I'd get on some meds that can block panic attacks. The best in my opinion
are the benzodiazepines, which include Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan. The dose
needed to block attacks varies alot with the individual.
Most of the antidepressants are also capable of blocking panic attacks, but
take 3 to 6 weeks to start working, and tend to have more side effects than
the benzos.
By the way, it's common for people with panic disorder to also have GAD.
There are many people here that have panic disorder
and will understand what you are going through. I also suffer from
panic disorder with agoraphobia and know how hard it is to do any kind
of work outside the house. Socializing can be difficult, if not almost
impossible when struggling with numerous panic attacks every day.
When you say your doctor diagnosed you, is this just a regular doctor
or a psychiatrist? If it`s just a regular family doc, there lays part
of the problem. Most family doctors lack the knowledge to diagnosis an
treat anxiety disorders effectively. Your best bet is to be evaluated
by a psych doctor that specializes in anxiety disorders. Getting
properly diagnosed and treated is very important.
When you say you don`t worry...........do you worry or anxiously
anticipate the next panic attack? A common feature of panic disorder
is worrying a lot about the "next" panic attack. The worrying about
panic attacks can almost be obsessive.
Here are some very informative links on panic disorder:
http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/pdbasics/
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa052197.htm
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa021997.htm
http://stress.about.com/cs/anxiety/a/panic.htm
http://panicdisorder.about.com/cs/pdbasics/a/panicdefined.htm
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/factsheets/blpdtreatment03.htm
The most common, effective treatments for panic disorder are meds such
as benzodiazepines (xanax, klonopin, ativan, valium) and/or
antidepressants, ( prozac, zoloft celexa, paxil, effexor, etc). Then
there is cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT combined with medication
can make an effective combo. Effective treatment is very
individualized......some people may do well with just a benzo while
others need both a benzo and antidepressant. Effective dosages vary
person to person, some do well on lower doses while others need the
max dose to get relief.
It's appropriate to get the attacks blocked and under control first, in my
opinion. Frequent panic attacks are very uncomfortable and can interfer with
any type of therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy can come later after the
acute suffering is relieved.
I do agree with you guys 100%. I was just preemptively
heading off the idea that meds is the way to treat PA long-term. I
certainly went through the initial meds to control my attacks when the
problem first blossomed at its worst, and lessened them as my CBT continued
until I was just on an antidepressant for maintaining the depression/anxiety
at a background level. I'm not trying to be med-phobic; they have their
place, but it's far too easy to rely to heavily on them vs. the hard work of
actual therapy. (And I don't mean that directed towards the original poster
in any way, just a general statement.)
Answer:
There is supposed to *be* a panic disorder mailing list. I got the sub.
info. from a friend, and I subed and got a confirmation message, but that
was the last I heard. The topic of such a list was also brought up on
walkers (the depression mailing list) in the last few days. If the current
list really is dead, certainly there should be a new one started. I know
there a tons of people on the 'Net who are affected.
You might also want to see about subscribing to the newsgroup
sci.med.psychobiology, a relatively new group that discusses
many aspects of psychopharmacology, often including panic disorder
and its treatment.
been suffering with it for about three years now and am taking Xanax. I would sincere
sincerely like to get off medication and wonder if you could let me know how yo
managed? Also are there predisposing personality factors in Panic Disorder or
can it effect anyone. Is it usually as a result of stress? and if so what
are the best methods of combatting it?
