Suggest Treatment For Fatigue And Panic Attacks

Posted on Fri, 4 Nov 2016

Question: Hello my brother had an episode in which he cut his finger with knife....he had panic attack...and since then he is behaving abnormal....he is afraid of alone he feels that he ll die....jump from somewhere... somebody ll kill him..earlier he was having fatigue which is worsening day by day as per him.....I m very bothered....wt has happened to him??....he says he is not having gud sleep....he is looking after for doctors....plse advice

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide me more details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related doubts

I can understand your concern. A lot of individuals who are at risk of anxiety disorders develop panic like symptoms after seeing something bad, or on seeing blood or on getting injured etc situations. After panic attacks most of these individuals develop anticipatory anxiety that panic will occur again. This anxiety results in fear too.

But his symptoms like somebody will kill him should be evaluated properly. Does he has suspiciousness and firm belief that a particular person is after him or will try to kill him? or he has just fear that someone might kill him or have fear of death? These two things are different please mention in follow up question. Also mention if he is having any other symptoms?

Fatigue which is persistent is also part of persisting anxiety. So most likely he is suffering from panic disorder. Please advise him to consult a psychiatrist for evaluation.

Behaviour therapy and medicines will definitely help him to come out of these symptoms.

Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (43 minutes later)

No he is not having any firm belief that someone is after him....just negative thoughts....he went to a psychiatrist..he has prescribed the medicines which I hv already mentioned.....plse advice a way ahead...I m worried....can u plse suggest a gud doctor in Vizag....

He is getting regular negative thoughts just lyk he ll jump...die etc....not able to sleep properly......loosing self confidence..... restlessness.....plse advice medicines if u can

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The symptoms are due to panic disorder only.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

If there are no firm beliefs and just negative thoughts then there is nothing much to worry. The symptoms as I've mentioned earlier too are due to Panic Disorder and can be treated with medicines easily.

I could not find the medicines he has been prescribed. For Panic SSRIs are commonly used. Escitalopram or Sertraline are good medicines in my opinion for his symptoms. I usually prefer Escitalopram for my patients of panic symptoms. The drug should be started with low dose like 5 mg per day and dose should be increased to 10 mg after 2 weeks. In most individuals 10 mg dose helps to control anxiety symptoms. For control of severe panic symptoms low dose benzodiazepines or beta blockers like Propranolol can be used on SOS basis. The medicines will help to control his symptoms and he will start feeling better in about 4 weeks. These are prescription medicines and you have to visit a doctor for written prescription.

For best psychiatrists in Vizag you can check the doctors list in HEALTHCAREMAGIC.COM and on basis of reviews you can visit any of them. I personally don't know any one at Vizag.

Thanks. Take care

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad