Understanding Your Panic Attack Medication

Once you become familiar with your panic attack symptoms, you are probably ready to deal with the consequences and find the best treatment options for you.

Of course, your doctor has probably introduced the idea of taking some sort of panic attack medication.

It’s important to understand the different options that are available to you so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Medications used to treat anxiety and panic disorders fall into five categories.

First, you have those classified as SSRI’s or selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors. These include classic medications like Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. These are the safest types to take on a long term basis.

Next are SNRI’s or seratonin and norepenephrine reuptake inhibitors such as Cymbalta and Effexor. These are similar to SSRI’s but have an added component.

Going down the line, you will see TCA’s or trycyclic antidepressants including Trofanil. These can be a very effective panic attack medication, but also pose some serious side effects, including heart problems.

After that there are Benzodiazpines, which are actually mild sedatives. One common one is Xanax. These can be addicting, both physically and mentally with the risk increasing the long you take them.

Finally, the hardest core drugs are under the category of MAOI’s or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These drugs have such serious side effects that they are rarely prescribed. It’s impossible to take these without seriously altering your diet in order to avoid life threatening complications.

While there are safer options, the nature of taking a pharmaceutical drug is that there are always potential side effects. You can certainly take a SSRI for a longer period of time and probably do just fine. However, you never know what side-effects and sensitivities you may develop.

It’s always a good idea to ask if you can try natural or alternative treatment first.

Herbs such as Valerian root and St. John’s Wort can provide relief for many patients. Use caution with herbal treatments due to the many unknowns on how it reacts to other environmental factors in your life.

Also, you can learn to relax your body, avoid stress and triggers and even seek out cognitive or talk therapy. All of these options work in harmony with your natural body rhythms and you can expect relief without risking harmful or annoying side effects from a panic attack medication.

If you do decide to try panic attack medication, it’s always a good idea to ask your doctor if you can only use it as a temporary or emergency measure.

In the mean time, you should be looking for ways to naturally manage your symptoms.

By trying other safer natural methods first, you may well find that you are able to gain relief without ever having to refill that prescription.

P.S. Always consult with your doctor before discontinuing or not refilling a prescription, particularly the ones listed above.

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