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Can I Overcome Episodes Of Anxiety And Severe Panic Attacks Leading To Dangerous Symptoms While Travelling Through Medical Intervention And Treatment?
Question: I have been having anxiety and panic attacks. I am on Alprazolam which seems to help. I have a high stress job with little time for breaks and I know I should and will be taking it easier. My main concern now is that when something triggers my problems (usually driving my car) what kind of damage could it be doing to me. I drove my car two weeks ago and almost got into a car accident. That didn't bother me all that much. After that I started thinking about my sister who got vertigo when she crossed an upcoming bridge that I was about to go over. As I got on the bridge my body totally tensed up and I felt like I was being electrocuted in my brain. It was in my mind a total surge of adrenaline and cortisol. I was physically drained for two days. Yesterday driving also, I was tailgated by a truck that gave me an instant headache in the back of my head that lasted the rest of the day. My head feels like a very bad hangover headache when I get it. Overall, I have the same worries as everybody else. What do you think?
Brief Answer:
Psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy for anxiety disorder.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Judging by your description it seems that an anxiety disorder with panic attacks is indeed responsible for your symptoms. The headaches you experience are tension type headaches which is a primary headache often triggered by anxiety (primary meaning without a cause such stroke, infection etc).
While anxiety and panic attacks do not cause any direct lesion they can severely affect quality of life and should be addressed. Medication like Alprazolam is not suitable for regular treatment, only for short-term as long-term use creates tolerance (same dosage is not effective anymore) and dependence issues. In order to achieve long-term benefits it is important to combine psychotherapy with medication.
Cognitive behavior psychotherapy is the first step in anxiety management. It helps to identify anxiety provoking thought patterns an coping mechanism to handle them. When not enough and medication is initiated usually it is antidepressants, which are first choice therapy in anxiety disorders. Usually SSRI class (citalopram, escitalopram) is initially used. Tricyclics like amitriptyline are a good choice as well.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Regards
Psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy for anxiety disorder.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Judging by your description it seems that an anxiety disorder with panic attacks is indeed responsible for your symptoms. The headaches you experience are tension type headaches which is a primary headache often triggered by anxiety (primary meaning without a cause such stroke, infection etc).
While anxiety and panic attacks do not cause any direct lesion they can severely affect quality of life and should be addressed. Medication like Alprazolam is not suitable for regular treatment, only for short-term as long-term use creates tolerance (same dosage is not effective anymore) and dependence issues. In order to achieve long-term benefits it is important to combine psychotherapy with medication.
Cognitive behavior psychotherapy is the first step in anxiety management. It helps to identify anxiety provoking thought patterns an coping mechanism to handle them. When not enough and medication is initiated usually it is antidepressants, which are first choice therapy in anxiety disorders. Usually SSRI class (citalopram, escitalopram) is initially used. Tricyclics like amitriptyline are a good choice as well.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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