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Having Panic Attack And Claustrophobia. Is This Weight Related Problem?
Question: Hi I am 41 yrs old, 172cm tall and weigh 80kg. Lately i have been having panic attacks (which i havent had for 15 yrs now) and claustrophobia. Could this be weight related? My cholesterol also was quite high but havent tested recently..thanks for your thoughts.
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Hi there ~
Thank you for your question. I understand that you have a prior history of hypercholesterolemia. I do not think that this has anything to do with your panic attacks or claustrophobia. You can rest assured regarding this. However I hope that you have been adequately treated for the conditions. I also hope that your cholesterol is under control.
The anxiety can be treated with the exposure and response prevention (ERP) which is a technique used by psychologists. I also think that you should consult with your psychiatrist for medications. The first line for such conditions is SSRIs or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and there are a lot of sedative hypnotic medications that can helps with your anxiety attacks as well. I hope you get an appointment with a psychiatrist as soon as you can.
I hope this helps. Take care and have a lovely day!
Thank you for your question. I understand that you have a prior history of hypercholesterolemia. I do not think that this has anything to do with your panic attacks or claustrophobia. You can rest assured regarding this. However I hope that you have been adequately treated for the conditions. I also hope that your cholesterol is under control.
The anxiety can be treated with the exposure and response prevention (ERP) which is a technique used by psychologists. I also think that you should consult with your psychiatrist for medications. The first line for such conditions is SSRIs or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and there are a lot of sedative hypnotic medications that can helps with your anxiety attacks as well. I hope you get an appointment with a psychiatrist as soon as you can.
I hope this helps. Take care and have a lovely day!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doctor, how about the weight factor? Questions are for a friend of mine who is very concerned...thanks
Hi there ~
Anxiety and claustrophobia are important and they may cause these side effects and so can the medications used to treat them. However this might not be a case and you might need a psychological assessment to see if you need counseling and medications from a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety. Depression can make you gain or lose weight depending on the situation. There are two ways to lose weight:
1. Eat right - and healthy. Which might mean that you need to consult a nutritionist.
2. Exercise regularly - 4 times a week for 30-40 min per session and it should include both cardio and weights.
I hope you get yourself on the track to recovery and a healthy weight as soon as you can. I hope this helped.
Take care and have a lovely day!
Anxiety and claustrophobia are important and they may cause these side effects and so can the medications used to treat them. However this might not be a case and you might need a psychological assessment to see if you need counseling and medications from a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety. Depression can make you gain or lose weight depending on the situation. There are two ways to lose weight:
1. Eat right - and healthy. Which might mean that you need to consult a nutritionist.
2. Exercise regularly - 4 times a week for 30-40 min per session and it should include both cardio and weights.
I hope you get yourself on the track to recovery and a healthy weight as soon as you can. I hope this helped.
Take care and have a lovely day!
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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