Panic attacks can completely disrupt the life of anyone suffering from them.  They are seen in someone with a panic disorder but luckily can be treated through the use of therapy and medication.  Psychotherapy helps the person take control of their thoughts and react more appropriately to the world.  Appropriate use a medication as part of an overall effective treatment program.  When psychotherapy and medications are used together, success rates are very high.

There are a variety of medications available to treat panic attacks and alleviate anxiety.  Medications can reduce the number and severity of panic attacks plus reduce the anxiety of having another attack.

Drugs used to treat depression have also been shown to be effective against panic attacks.  These types of medications affect chemicals known as neurotransmitters that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another. 

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the group of drugs used most commonly today. An older group of medications known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are also used.

Tricyclic antidepressants actually work well for treating panic attacks but are associated with more side effects than SSRIs.  TCAs have been used less often as a result.  

As long as these medications are used properly they can be quite effective in reducing anxiety and fear and curing panic attacks.As with any medication, there can be side effects. Sometimes these are minor but unfortunately some can be quite serious.  So, it is important to work closely with the prescribing doctor to decide whether treatment with medications is an appropriate intervention and if so, which medication should be administered.

It generally takes a few weeks for symptoms to start to improve after starting treatment with antidepressants. If the person doesn’t show some improvement within a month or two, the physician might increase the dose or change to another medication.  The course of treatment will generally be six months to a year.  After this time period they might be decreased gradually over a period of several weeks.  Sometimes after the medications have been decreased, the individual might experience panic attacks again.  In that case the medication might have to be continued for at least a few more months.  Some individuals might need to stay on medications for a long time to keep symptoms under control.

You can learn more about antidepressants and the other classes of drugs used to treat anxiety disorders at: Panic Attack Medication. You might also want to check out: Side Effects of Antidepressants Used to Treat Panic Disorders

As I mentioned, drugs only one part of the treatment of severe anxiety and panic attacks. In fact, it is possible to cure the problem taking drugs and risking their side effects. You can read about in a treatment program that has an extremely high success rate at: Panic Away Review. This program has helped tens of thousands of people already and is remarkably fast and effective.