Hello,
Panic disorder with
anxiety is a chronic illness characterized by recurrent panic attacks, at least some of which are unexpected, accompanied either by anxiety about having future attacks or about the implications of attacks. To approach to treatment including the use of
pharmacotherapy (medication) and
psychotherapy. For medications, several classes of the medication have shown efficacy for symptoms of panic disorder with anxiety (attack frequency, anticipatory anxiety, and phobic avoidance): Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs), serotonin-
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCADs),
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and benzodiazepines. These drugs are selected by your doctor, who makes a diagnosis for you and prescription. The onset of the therapeutic effect of the medicine is somewhere between two to four weeks, but the clinical response can take up to 8 to 12 weeks for some patients.
In my practice, there are no studies that systematically address the optimal duration of treatment, but available evidence suggests that effective pharmacotherapy should be continued for at least one year after symptom control has been attained.
Psychotherapy plays an important role to treat panic disorder with anxiety. Your doctor may refer you to see counselor or
psychologist to help you better.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Heang Chan Raksmey, General & Family Physician