Types of Treatment:

Cognitive Restructuring:
Cognitive behavioral treatment works effectively by helping individuals break the debilitating cycle of phobic thought patterns. Exercises are prescribed that help decrease distorted thinking and irrational beliefs that may be fueling fears and exacerbating anxiety. Patients are also taught to shift their focus during an attack to being more of an observer of their symptoms, instead of a victim. These exercises and many others are some of the most effective tools used to reduce anxiety and panic attack symptoms and help stabilize individuals in early recovery.

Exercise is another behavioral tool important for early recovery. Avoiding certain foods and eating balanced meals is also prescribed. For example, avoiding caffeine, which is a major trigger for panic attacks. This includes dark soda’s, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, (Mountain Dew has tons of caffeine), chocolate, tea (herb tea only), excess sugar, junk food. Alcohol and all illicit drugs are highly discouraged.

Systematic desensitization:
The patient is taught how to attain a calm and almost relaxed state through biofeedback, meditation or through visualization. Gradually the patient is then exposed to situations that replicate feared ones.

Biofeedback is a method for learned control of physiological responses of the body that cause health problems.

Medication:
There are many types of medications that work very effectively for anxiety and panic disorder. Some individuals will need continued medication to stabilize them and return to normal life. If the panic is so acute that work, relationships and life in general cannot be lived adequately, then meds may be prescribed for symptom relief.

Paxil and Zoloft (both FDA approved for panic disorder) are very common anti-depressants that are best for anxiety and panic and depression.

Other anti-depressants: Prozac, Celexa, Serzone, Luvox, Effexor, etc. Then there are the day-to-day meds, which are called benzodiazepenes.

Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan. These drugs can be addicting, especially, Xanax. Beta Blockers, which essentially reduce the effect of adrenaline in the body.

The Anxiety and Panic Disorder Center of Los Angeles is associated with several reputable psychiatrists and medical doctors in the area that specialize in prescribing medication for anxiety and panic disorder.

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