Panic Cure
If you suffer from panic attacks then your primary goal will obviously be to find a panic cure that works for you. The very fact that you’re looking for a panic cure means there is no point in describing an attack – you know what they entail as well as the overwhelming stress and fear that comes with them. The only way forward is to find a solution.
Is There a Cure?
Everyone who suffers from panic attacks is an individual case and therefore needs individual treatment. A cure which works for one person may not work for someone else. Your first port of call should always be to seek professional help as an expert’s advice will generally show you the way forward. However, learning as much as possible about the illness will give you background knowledge and will show you the possible options open to you.
A professional will prescribe either medication or some sort of therapy.
The most probable types of medication range from benzodiazepines, various types of antidepressants and a new type of drug called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) all of which try to block the panic attacks so patients no longer anticipate the arrival of an attack and therefore can more easily overcome their fears. It must be remembered that these medications, as with most drugs of these kind, are not a long term answer and do have side effects and withdrawal symptoms. So you may feel that you would rather go down the therapy route.
The more prevalent method today (and the one which people are most happy with) is called ‘talking therapy’ which entails, as the name suggests, talking to your therapist about your feelings concerning yourself, other people and the world in general, thus exposing your fears and anxieties. This is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) which can help you change how you think (cognitive) and what you do (behavior). Making these changes can help you feel better as it concentrates on the present rather than on past events. This therapy looks for ways to improve your present state of mind. It addresses problems that the sufferer has most trouble dealing with and breaks them down into smaller, more manageable parts.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments in curing panic attacks with a very high percentage of people reporting that their condition was greatly improved following their sessions. The only downside to this method of treatment is that it is not a quick cure, and you do have to work at it, but this seems to be a small price to pay for a successful method of treatment.
Where Can I Find It?
Your local doctor may be able to refer you to a CBT expert such as a nurse or psychologist and there are organizations that keep a list of accredited therapists e.g. The British or American Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapies. There are also many self-help programs that may be followed on the web and in books – it may, however, be better to follow it with a professional who can motivate and help you during the more difficult parts.
Whatever method of panic cure you choose to follow, you should take comfort in the fact that this illness can be cured and when you seek advice, you’ll soon be on the road to recovery.
