Whether you've been suffering more panic attacks lately or you're looking to take control over a long-term problem, panic attack treatment in the Bay Area is easier than ever. With both in-person and video sessions, you can get the help you need in nine convenient locations in the Bay Area -- or even from the comfort of home. While diagnosis is typically done by a primary care physician in order to rule out heart or thyroid problems, a panic disorder is identified by frequent, unexpected panic attacks that are commonly followed by anxiety about additional attacks. Those with a panic disorder may also start to avoid situations that they think may trigger another panic attack, or otherwise engage in significant changes to their behavior. That said, there's a difference between a panic disorder -- which isn't caused by a medical condition, substance abuse or mental health conditions like social phobia or obsessive-compulsive disorders -- and panic attacks, though both can benefit from panic attack treatment in the Bay Area and elsewhere. However, panic attacks can develop into panic disorder if left untreated.
Psychotherapy The most common form of panic attack treatment is psychotherapy, or talk therapy, and it's also the first-choice treatment for both panic attacks and panic disorder. By discussing the circumstances around what brings on your panic attacks, psychotherapy can give you the tools to manage and cope with it. One of the main approaches is cognitive behavioral therapy, which uses a sort of immersion technique to re-create the circumstances that cause panic attacks in a supervised and safe environment. The idea here is to stimulate the patient into experiencing the symptoms of a panic attack in a repetitive way such that the circumstances no longer feel threatening. Over time, even real situations that would have caused a panic attack in the past are no longer as intense, allowing the patient to overcome situational fears and resume a more normal lifestyle. But successful treatment takes time, and while symptoms may start to subside in a few weeks, it can often take several months to see significant improvement, if not complete and total recovery. With this kind of success, it may only be necessary to seek panic attack treatment in the Bay Area sporadically or when symptoms again present themselves.
Alternative Approaches While medications can also help reduce symptoms of panic attacks, as well as any associated depression, therapy is often preferred due to the mood-altering behavior and the presence of undesirable side effects. From selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft, and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Effexor, to benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Klonopin, there are many medications that purport to help with panic attacks, but these should only be exercised if therapy is unsuccessful. Other lifestyle and home remedies for panic attack treatment in the Bay Area include avoiding alcohol, caffeine, smoking and other recreational drugs, which can all trigger or make panic attacks worse; joining a support group, which connects you with others that suffer from similar problems; sticking to a treatment plan, forcing you to confront your fears on a continued basis; practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or deep breathing; as well as being physically active and getting good sleep each and every night. While one piece may not do it alone, several or all of them combined will greatly enhance your chances of a successful panic attack treatment in the Bay Area. Alternative medicine or dietary supplements have also been studied and may help, but unknown risks are always present when trying a new or unproven treatment. Dietary supplements also aren't monitored or reviewed by the FDA like medications are, so less is known about their safety. --- For more about panic attack treatments in the Bay Area, look to the experts at Quick Results Counseling. It's our belief that everyone deserves access to mental health services. With an attuned and kind ear, we provide real, therapeutic support to members of our diverse, Bay Area community, and our goal is to help you be the best version of yourself in several quick visits, not aimlessly spend years reviewing the minutia of your life. Contact us today to see how we can help you with anxiety, PTSD or panic attack guidance in the Bay Area, CA.