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Suggest Treatment For Stress, Anxiety And Panic Attacks
Question: Hi. A few months ago i was going through a lot of stress in my life and i started getting panic attacks. I had constant chocking feeling, getting out of breath, constant dizzyness where it use to feel like the ground was moving and tingling in my teeth as well as burning sensations. Now i have overcome that but the only problem i have now is when i do not get enough rest i feel shaky. My legs also feel weak where it feels like i cant balance or walk properly. I feel unsteady. Sometimes the shaking is visible in my hands slightly. I have done blood count and everything has came back ok. Im just a little worried as to what this could be and if its a mental issue how i can overcome it?
Brief Answer:
It can be an anxiety disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can appreciate your concern regarding your symptoms.
You have mentioned that you had been through a lot of stress recently which apparently precipitated the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. I am glad that you have been able to overcome most of the symptoms by yourself.
However, you still are having symptoms which are clear indicators of anxiety. Tremors, shakiness, etc. are all manifestations of anxiety. More so, you have mentioned about some blood tests that have come out to be normal (I would have liked to know what exact test did you undergo and specifically look into complete hemogram and thyroid profile). In addition, I would have wanted to know more regarding your current mood, sleep, appetite and whether you are still preoccupied with the stress.
I think its high time you initiate treatment for anxiety. This condition responds better wih early treatment. Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs like escitalopram, paroxetine) would be helpful. You can also opt for psychotherapy in form of cognitive behavior therapy.
In addition, you must start exercising daily. Something basic like jogging would be extremely beneficial. You must also dry to destress yourself by discussing your issues with some one close on a daily basis. If you are not comfortable with discussing, you can opt for writing diary daily.
I do hope that I was able to help with our query. Please feel free to ask any further question that you might have.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
It can be an anxiety disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can appreciate your concern regarding your symptoms.
You have mentioned that you had been through a lot of stress recently which apparently precipitated the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. I am glad that you have been able to overcome most of the symptoms by yourself.
However, you still are having symptoms which are clear indicators of anxiety. Tremors, shakiness, etc. are all manifestations of anxiety. More so, you have mentioned about some blood tests that have come out to be normal (I would have liked to know what exact test did you undergo and specifically look into complete hemogram and thyroid profile). In addition, I would have wanted to know more regarding your current mood, sleep, appetite and whether you are still preoccupied with the stress.
I think its high time you initiate treatment for anxiety. This condition responds better wih early treatment. Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs like escitalopram, paroxetine) would be helpful. You can also opt for psychotherapy in form of cognitive behavior therapy.
In addition, you must start exercising daily. Something basic like jogging would be extremely beneficial. You must also dry to destress yourself by discussing your issues with some one close on a daily basis. If you are not comfortable with discussing, you can opt for writing diary daily.
I do hope that I was able to help with our query. Please feel free to ask any further question that you might have.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is it possible to overcome an anxiety disorder naturally without meds? And how is jogging beneficial? Also, would suoplments help? Such as fish oik and multi vitamins? And to answer your question i am no loonger going through the same stresses its just the work load and prssure from work causes me to be tired and that makes me tired whicadds to my anxiet
Brief Answer:
Please see details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up. Its good to know that you are not facing the same stress currently. But since you are having anxiety and the current job situation is making you feel tired, it is better that treatment be initiated.
Anxiety disorders respond to psychotherapeutic options very well. So, if you don't want to take medications, you can opt for it. For your condition, Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) will be an appropriate choice of therapy. It will consists of sessions focusing on learning relaxation as well as trying to recognize and change the mal-adaptive cognitive pattern in our minds which often leads to anxiety. It is a proven form of treatment and used widely for anxiety disorders as well as mild depression.
However, medications will help you attain response faster. Moreover, if the symptoms are severe enough, it will be difficult to initiate CBT as such. The best response will be if both are used together.
Jogging or any form of exercise helps us relax ourselves. The exact mechanism is hypothesized to be due to release of a set of chemicals called endorphins which act to attain a relaxed state.
Regarding supplements like fish oils and vitamins, I generally don't recommend them. They are to be taken only in case of some nutritional deficiency or in conditions where a balanced diet cannot be taken. In any case, their beneficial effect in anxiety is not exactly proven. You can try them but I will not be very optimistic about response if they are used a sole agents for anxiety. A balanced diet would be a better option.
I am sure that you will be able to win over your current situation soon enough. I will be glad to provide help in case you need me for any further doubts/queries. In case you decide to close the discussion, please do rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Please see details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up. Its good to know that you are not facing the same stress currently. But since you are having anxiety and the current job situation is making you feel tired, it is better that treatment be initiated.
Anxiety disorders respond to psychotherapeutic options very well. So, if you don't want to take medications, you can opt for it. For your condition, Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) will be an appropriate choice of therapy. It will consists of sessions focusing on learning relaxation as well as trying to recognize and change the mal-adaptive cognitive pattern in our minds which often leads to anxiety. It is a proven form of treatment and used widely for anxiety disorders as well as mild depression.
However, medications will help you attain response faster. Moreover, if the symptoms are severe enough, it will be difficult to initiate CBT as such. The best response will be if both are used together.
Jogging or any form of exercise helps us relax ourselves. The exact mechanism is hypothesized to be due to release of a set of chemicals called endorphins which act to attain a relaxed state.
Regarding supplements like fish oils and vitamins, I generally don't recommend them. They are to be taken only in case of some nutritional deficiency or in conditions where a balanced diet cannot be taken. In any case, their beneficial effect in anxiety is not exactly proven. You can try them but I will not be very optimistic about response if they are used a sole agents for anxiety. A balanced diet would be a better option.
I am sure that you will be able to win over your current situation soon enough. I will be glad to provide help in case you need me for any further doubts/queries. In case you decide to close the discussion, please do rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks i had a good day today. I had no sort of shakinniness or feeling of unbalance. Like i mentioned before i have my off days and thats usually when i get a lack of sleep. Ive also tried to keep my mind of things. And i have joined my local gym. With regards to the fish oil i take after a meal in the evenings usually just before i sleep i feel that it does help to keep my strength up
Brief Answer:
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up and updating me. I was glad to note that you had a good day and had none of you symptoms. It was also heartening to know that you have heeded to my advice and joined a gym. Just remember, focus more on cardio exercises like treadmill rather than the weight lifting ones.
Keeping your mind off will really help you feel relaxed. Try maximizing that as much as possible. I had also talked about discussing your issues with someone. That will help too. Alternatively, writing a diary on a daily basis letting out your emotions might help. If you want, you can even start discussing it with me on this forum. I will be glad to help you out with that
If taking fish oils is helping you in any way and making you feel better, please do continue taking it. After all the final target is that you get better. Anything that helps without causing any harm can be tried.
It is clear you don't want to try the medications as of now. You can continue doing the things mentioned above and I really hope that you improve without medications. It would be great. But, don't delay it too much if its not helping much. Since you have had off days even earlier, I am not reading too much into one god day and I really do hope that this good days continue indefinitely and you remain wonderfully well without any of your symptoms.
Please do let me know if I can be of help. I will give me immense pleasure if I could do that. In case, you decide to close the discussion, please do rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Please see details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up and updating me. I was glad to note that you had a good day and had none of you symptoms. It was also heartening to know that you have heeded to my advice and joined a gym. Just remember, focus more on cardio exercises like treadmill rather than the weight lifting ones.
Keeping your mind off will really help you feel relaxed. Try maximizing that as much as possible. I had also talked about discussing your issues with someone. That will help too. Alternatively, writing a diary on a daily basis letting out your emotions might help. If you want, you can even start discussing it with me on this forum. I will be glad to help you out with that
If taking fish oils is helping you in any way and making you feel better, please do continue taking it. After all the final target is that you get better. Anything that helps without causing any harm can be tried.
It is clear you don't want to try the medications as of now. You can continue doing the things mentioned above and I really hope that you improve without medications. It would be great. But, don't delay it too much if its not helping much. Since you have had off days even earlier, I am not reading too much into one god day and I really do hope that this good days continue indefinitely and you remain wonderfully well without any of your symptoms.
Please do let me know if I can be of help. I will give me immense pleasure if I could do that. In case, you decide to close the discussion, please do rate the answer.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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