What Does a Panic Disorder Treatment Entail?
A panic disorder treatment program can offer a wide range of potential treatment options. For many patients, panic disorders are a programmed brain response to stress. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the patient will have the panic attacks when faced directly with stress. Often the attacks seem to come out of the blue and are not linked to anything in the immediate vicinity. This can make the disorder quite confusing for patients, friends, and family members. A panic disorder can be a seriously difficult condition to live with and the sooner treatment is sought, the better.
In most cases, a panic disorder treatment program will offer at least some sort of prescription medication. Some physicians routinely prescribe medications that are taken on a daily basis while others prescribe PRN medications, or meds that are only taken when needed. Some physicians are not convinced that all panic disorders require medication and make that determination on a case by case basis. This is often the best course of action because there can be many different underlying causes for this disorder. Some patients respond very well to relearning stress relief techniques and discovering the root cause of their tendency to have these attacks.
Not all cases are linked to childhood abuse but many are. In these situations the child has been thought to repress the abuse and starts to experience panic attacks late in their teens or early in their twenties. Other cases have been linked to severe parental pressure to perform while others have been linked to one single incident such as a near drowning. Other cases have no real explanation that has come to the surface and thus the root cause is unknown.
Treatment options are important. The more options that are presented to the patient the more likely the patient will be successful in their chosen forms of treatment. It is often best to combine treatments in order to place the patient in the best possible position to achieve success. This may mean combining talking therapy with medication or it may mean combining the process of relearning stress reduction techniques with therapeutic assistance. Setting the patient up to be successful is imperative when it comes to properly treating the condition.
Panic disorder treatment options can help the patient’s life improve tremendously. Without treatment, few patients will find that their issues decrease. Most will find that their issues and symptoms actually increase until treatment is sought.
Is Social Anxiety Disorder Real?
Not long ago there was a theoretical debate about whether or not social anxiety disorder was a real condition. The argument against it simply stated that this is a condition that can be created by not providing children with the necessary social skills and self confidence needed to be an active part of the community. Naturally, the opposite argument stated that it’s a condition caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain which impacts one’s ability to relate comfortably in social situations. Many experts feel that there is a little bit of truth to both statements but that the disorder is very real.
Social anxiety disorder is more than just discomfort in social settings. It is actually a fear of situations that require one to relate to and be involved in the social world around them. Sufferers will avoid social settings to the degree that they will not participate in family holidays, sports, and other activities which even seem enjoyable to them. Working in a structure that requires interaction can be a devastating problem for people with this condition, regardless of where it came from. The work environment often poses issues that prevent sufferers from getting promotions, raises, or even using their full potential.
For those who do suffer with the condition it doesn’t matter where it came from. What matters is seeking treatment and developing a method of dealing and coping that can turn the unthinkable into a tolerable if not enjoyable experience. This most often requires the help of a professional.
There are different degrees of social anxiety disorder. Severe conditions can be treated but are often unlikely to be treated because even the thought of seeking treatment can be too much for the patient to face without intense fear. Just like some people are afraid of spiders or fire, these patients are terrified of interacting with people.
If the condition is to be treated the patient should be fully aware of their options. For some patients, medication has proven to be quite effective. For other patients, the condition is actually treated through a process of evaluated and reestablishing their basic belief system. Each variable treatment option can be more successful when combined with other treatment options. That means treating medicated patients with therapeutic counseling and often vice versa. Sometimes the patient responds well to only one type of treatment, but experts state that if you never treat the cause of social anxiety disorder you can never truly alleviate the condition from the patient.
*Photo Credit – Vinícius Sgarbe
Dealing With Panic Attacks – Seperating the Myths from the Truth
Many people don’t understand anxiety disorders – and when it comes to dealing with panic attacks, sufferers often feel that there condition is not being taken seriously by those around them. Too often, well meaning people will tell the person suffering from anxiety attacks to just calm down and learn to “loosen up” and not take things so seriously. If only it were that simple. There are many myths associated with anxiety and panic conditions, which we will talk about here.
One of the most common misconceptions is that the person suffering has deep psycholgical issues. Some may even believe that they have more serious disorders such as schizophrenia. While it is true that many people may suffer from other mental condistions, such as depression and social anxiety – they do not necessarily have hallucinations and delusional thoughts and behaviors. In fact, this is very rarely the case. People who suffer from panic attacks are normally mentally stable people who have a condition that causes them to suffer anxiety at times beyond there control.
Another myth that people have to contend with when they suffer from anxiety and panic conditions is that it is “all in your head”. They are often treated as though their problem is not serious, and they just need to calm down and stop worrying so much. Even when they end up in emergency rooms suffering from real physical symptoms of an attack, they are treated as though their condition does not warrant any time from a doctor when it is something they should be able to “control on their own”. It can be very frustrating and disheartening when suffering from an attack to be brushed off by people around them as not a real medical emergency.
Yet another myth is that panic attacks will only affect people who suffer from depression or anxiety. The actual truth is that a panic attack can happen to anyone at any time – regardless of whether they have ever suffered from any other mental conditions in the past. Some people may only ever one in their lives, while others will continue to have them – even some suffering so much that it affects their daily living.
Understanding panic and anxiety disorders can be very difficult – not just for those suffering from them, but for those around them as well. Trying to figure out what is true and what isn’t is the first step for people who are dealing with panic attacks, allowing them to start living their lives without the constant fear of another attack striking.
