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People with panic disorder frequently want to know if there is any technique ormedicationthat can completely rid them of symptoms. The truth is that panic disorder can never be entirely cured. However, it can be effectively managed to the point that it no longer significantly impairs your life.
One reason why there is no permanent cure is that panic disorder varies greatly from person to person. What works for one person may not be effective at all for another. But even though there is not a magic bullet to wipe out every case, through treatment, patience, and persistence, you can find the methods that help you cope with panic disorder.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A mental health professional can assist you in developing ways to change your thinking and behaviors that allow for lasting relief. Different types ofpsychotherapyhave been shown to be helpful in panic disorder. One of these iscognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), a method that includes learning ways to relax, change unhelpful thinking patterns, manage stress, and increase self-confidence.
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Be sure to speak openly and honestly with your therapist or mental health professional. This helps them understand your symptoms in order to help you progress.
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Self-Help
There are numerous self-help resources that address issues related to anxiety and panic disorder. These are intended to help you manage panic on your own. Common self-help strategies include:
Medication
Treating panic disorder with medication is often recommended when symptoms persist despite efforts to control them through therapy and self-help strategies. Medication may also be suggested when panic disorder has become so extreme that it affects daily functioning.
Antidepressants
Medical professionals typically prescribe anantidepressantfor panic disorder, usually from the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, orSSRIs. These SSRIs includeProzac(fluoxetine),Zoloft(sertraline),Paxil(paroxetine), andCelexa(citalopram). These drugs can relieve feelings of anxiety and reduce depression symptoms, which often coexist with panic disorder.
Common side effects of these medicines include sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal discomfort and sleep issues. If you are considering antidepressants, review the possible side effects and any other concerns with your doctor. Antidepressants can take up to several weeks to start working and they should not bediscontinued abruptly.
Tranquilizers
Benzodiazepine tranquilizers are another class of drugs that can ease anxiety and alleviate panic. Doctors may prescribeXanax(alprazolam),Ativan(lorazepam) andKlonopin(clonazepam) for people with panic disorder to provide an immediate reduction in anxiety symptoms.
There is some potential for abuse with these medications. They may also lead to physical dependence if they are taken over a long enough period of time.
A Word From Verywell
How Panic Disorder Is Diagnosed
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Taylor CB.Panic disorder.BMJ. 2006;332(7547):951-955. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7547.951Otte C.Cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: Current state of the evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011;13(4):413-421.Sars D, van Minnen A.On the use of exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders: A survey among cognitive behavioural therapists in the Netherlands.BMC Psychol. 2015;3(1):26. doi:10.1186/s40359-015-0083-2Arikian SR, Gorman JM.A review of the diagnosis, pharmacologic treatment, and economic aspects of anxiety disorders.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2001;3(3):110-117. doi:10.4088/pcc.v03n0302Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 2013;13(2):214-223.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.Bourne EJ.The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook.7th ed. New Harbinger, 2020.Hofmann SG, Smits JA.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.J Clin Psychiatry.2008;69(4):621-632. doi:10.4088/jcp.v69n0415
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Taylor CB.Panic disorder.BMJ. 2006;332(7547):951-955. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7547.951Otte C.Cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: Current state of the evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011;13(4):413-421.Sars D, van Minnen A.On the use of exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders: A survey among cognitive behavioural therapists in the Netherlands.BMC Psychol. 2015;3(1):26. doi:10.1186/s40359-015-0083-2Arikian SR, Gorman JM.A review of the diagnosis, pharmacologic treatment, and economic aspects of anxiety disorders.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2001;3(3):110-117. doi:10.4088/pcc.v03n0302Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 2013;13(2):214-223.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.Bourne EJ.The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook.7th ed. New Harbinger, 2020.Hofmann SG, Smits JA.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.J Clin Psychiatry.2008;69(4):621-632. doi:10.4088/jcp.v69n0415
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Taylor CB.Panic disorder.BMJ. 2006;332(7547):951-955. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7547.951Otte C.Cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: Current state of the evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011;13(4):413-421.Sars D, van Minnen A.On the use of exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders: A survey among cognitive behavioural therapists in the Netherlands.BMC Psychol. 2015;3(1):26. doi:10.1186/s40359-015-0083-2Arikian SR, Gorman JM.A review of the diagnosis, pharmacologic treatment, and economic aspects of anxiety disorders.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2001;3(3):110-117. doi:10.4088/pcc.v03n0302Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 2013;13(2):214-223.
Taylor CB.Panic disorder.BMJ. 2006;332(7547):951-955. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7547.951
Otte C.Cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: Current state of the evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011;13(4):413-421.
Sars D, van Minnen A.On the use of exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders: A survey among cognitive behavioural therapists in the Netherlands.BMC Psychol. 2015;3(1):26. doi:10.1186/s40359-015-0083-2
Arikian SR, Gorman JM.A review of the diagnosis, pharmacologic treatment, and economic aspects of anxiety disorders.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2001;3(3):110-117. doi:10.4088/pcc.v03n0302
Griffin CE 3rd, Kaye AM, Bueno FR, Kaye AD.Benzodiazepine pharmacology and central nervous system-mediated effects.Ochsner J. 2013;13(2):214-223.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.Bourne EJ.The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook.7th ed. New Harbinger, 2020.Hofmann SG, Smits JA.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.J Clin Psychiatry.2008;69(4):621-632. doi:10.4088/jcp.v69n0415
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
Bourne EJ.The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook.7th ed. New Harbinger, 2020.
Hofmann SG, Smits JA.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.J Clin Psychiatry.2008;69(4):621-632. doi:10.4088/jcp.v69n0415
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