Brief Answer:
Measures that may help and potential needed treatments explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query and understand your concern.

Anxiety may cause a patient to feel a mix of symptoms ranging from a fast heartbeat, fast breathing or feeling like there is not enough air to feeling anxious or fearful, numb, shaky, stomach emptiness, etc.

It is very important that you identify what is causing you to be anxious and try to avoid it or avoid its direct effect on you.
Furthermore, coffee, energy drinks, smoking, alcohol may make anxiety worse and in some cases even trigger it.

If you feel episodes of shortness of breath you may breathe in a paper bag to help quiet down.
Propranolol 80 mg, half a tablet when needed (but not more often than every 8 hours) can be used to control the breathing and heartbeat changes and also relieve some anxiety.
Other treatments are lorazepam or diazepam (benzodiazepines) which are very effective for anxiety but due to dependence are not recommended to be used for longer than a week.

If your symptoms last for more than 2 weeks and are affecting your ability to do your daily activities treatment with SSRI (such as sertraline or citalopram) can be considered. This is not addictive but needs to be taken daily for a few months.

Counseling can be considered as well. It is a very important treatment in mild forms of anxiety or as an adjunct therapy to medications in moderate-severe forms.

A good thorough visit with your doctor is recommended. He will give you some questionaries to help score the anxiety level and have a better understanding if counseling and lifestyle changes are sufficient or oral treatment should be started as well.

I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician

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