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Suggest Treatment For Severe Panic Attacks

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Posted on Wed, 17 Dec 2014
Question: I'm having severe panick attacks and no doctor is helping I get turned away with try this try that noting has worke making me even more feel like my heart going to explode from my chest. Please help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Psychological management

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic

I can understand your concern. You are already taking Zoloft 200 mg and Clonazepam. These drugs are not resulting in improvement.

Anxiety disorders are a little difficult to treat in some individuals. As even with medicines you are having anxiety I would advise you to rule out certain conditions first which can aggravate anxiety.

- One of main reason for severe anxiety symptoms in nutritional deficiencies. Low haemoglobin levels, low vitamin B12 levels are important causes that may aggravate the symptoms of anxiety. Even if your Hb and Vitamin B12 levels come in normal range even than start taking iron and Vitamin B12 supplements along with your conventional treatment. This measure will help in improvement.

- Subclinical hyperthyroid state is other cause of increased anxiety attacks. Get your thyroid profile checked to rule out the cause.

- Thirdly get your ECG done to rule out cardiac cause that may be the reason of anxiety.

Once every thing come normal then we can think of proceeding further. Some times if conventional medicines fail to work then we usually prescribe other drugs which can reduce symptoms of anxiety. Propranolol, atenolol etc drugs are the drugs of beta blocker group and these drugs help to reduce symptoms of anxiety like pounding heart, tremors, sweating. As the medicines like Clonazepam are not controlling the anxiety so you can discuss with your psychiatrist for that drug. If Ativan or Valium helped then restarting these can be an option but as these drugs have abuse potential so most of psychiatrists don't prescribe these medicines on continuous basis for long. Take these medicines with proper prescription on SOS basis only.

Zoloft is SSRI and the drug doses are adequate in your case. As per my opinion in some time you will see improvement in anxiety.

I would also suggest you to try psychological methods for anxiety-

- Behavior therapy is mainstay of psychological methods. The individual is taught to relax by Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises or Breathing Exercises. He/she is made to learn difference between tense state and relaxed states. With time individuals learn their body changes in anxiety and they can control them with relaxation without medicines. You can take help of a psychologist for that.

- Yoga and meditation also help in controlling anxiety and in increasing confidence.

- Biofeedback is also a good option for intractable anxiety. The method is based on principles of behaviour therapy.

Try the methods and management I have mentioned and discuss them with your psychiatrist. You will see improvement in some time. Don't remain distressed you will improve.

Thanks, do ask again if you have more doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)
I am only taking zoloft, was saying klonopin it helped alot took all exiuos thoughts andwhat is not worrking is ativan n valium
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Clonazepam

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks again for asking

Clonazepam is short acting benzodiazepine drug and if it is able to control your anxiety then it is better. But as per my opinion drug will help to control anxiety for short term only. With time increased doses will be needed to get anti-anxiety effect. So take the drug on SOS basis only. Alternately you can discuss for propranolol. The drug is not having abuse potential and is relatively safe for young adults.

Thanks, and I apologise for misreading that klonopin is not working.

You can ask again if you have more doubts, I will happy to answer.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (26 minutes later)
Well i am about out of my medications cuz i justed move , would anyone be able to help"
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Relaxation Exercises

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

For medicines you have to consult a psychiatrist because due to legal hassles online prescription can't be provided. But home based methods like Relaxation Exercises, Breathing exercises like I have mentioned earlier can help you.

Reduce the intake of caffeine, tea as they increase anxiety.

Nuts like hazelnut, peanuts will help you to relax.

Consult a psychologist for relaxation training. The relaxation training is comparatively efficacious to medicines. This will help to relax.

Thanks, hope this helps you.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Panic Attacks

Brief Answer: Psychological management Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic I can understand your concern. You are already taking Zoloft 200 mg and Clonazepam. These drugs are not resulting in improvement. Anxiety disorders are a little difficult to treat in some individuals. As even with medicines you are having anxiety I would advise you to rule out certain conditions first which can aggravate anxiety. - One of main reason for severe anxiety symptoms in nutritional deficiencies. Low haemoglobin levels, low vitamin B12 levels are important causes that may aggravate the symptoms of anxiety. Even if your Hb and Vitamin B12 levels come in normal range even than start taking iron and Vitamin B12 supplements along with your conventional treatment. This measure will help in improvement. - Subclinical hyperthyroid state is other cause of increased anxiety attacks. Get your thyroid profile checked to rule out the cause. - Thirdly get your ECG done to rule out cardiac cause that may be the reason of anxiety. Once every thing come normal then we can think of proceeding further. Some times if conventional medicines fail to work then we usually prescribe other drugs which can reduce symptoms of anxiety. Propranolol, atenolol etc drugs are the drugs of beta blocker group and these drugs help to reduce symptoms of anxiety like pounding heart, tremors, sweating. As the medicines like Clonazepam are not controlling the anxiety so you can discuss with your psychiatrist for that drug. If Ativan or Valium helped then restarting these can be an option but as these drugs have abuse potential so most of psychiatrists don't prescribe these medicines on continuous basis for long. Take these medicines with proper prescription on SOS basis only. Zoloft is SSRI and the drug doses are adequate in your case. As per my opinion in some time you will see improvement in anxiety. I would also suggest you to try psychological methods for anxiety- - Behavior therapy is mainstay of psychological methods. The individual is taught to relax by Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises or Breathing Exercises. He/she is made to learn difference between tense state and relaxed states. With time individuals learn their body changes in anxiety and they can control them with relaxation without medicines. You can take help of a psychologist for that. - Yoga and meditation also help in controlling anxiety and in increasing confidence. - Biofeedback is also a good option for intractable anxiety. The method is based on principles of behaviour therapy. Try the methods and management I have mentioned and discuss them with your psychiatrist. You will see improvement in some time. Don't remain distressed you will improve. Thanks, do ask again if you have more doubts.