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Anxiety Attack Treatment Overview

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Care Plan

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First steps to consider

  • Consider seeing a therapist if you have had an anxiety or panic attack.
  • You may be able to manage your anxiety attack at home if you have had them before and have strategies that help reduce your anxiety.
  • Strategies include slow and controlled breathing, reducing stimulation around you, and getting support from someone who can help you feel safe.
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Emergency Care

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Call 911 or go to the ER if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • You feel like you’re having a heart attack or going to die.
  • You think your symptoms may be life threatening
  • If you have had panic attacks before but this one seems different.

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All treatments for anxiety attack
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Read more about anxiety attack care options

When to see a healthcare provider

An anxiety attack, also called a panic attack, can cause sudden and intense physical (heart palpitations) and emotional (fear and anxiety) reactions.

After an anxiety attack, talk to your doctor or mental health professional.

  • They can help you understand the causes of your anxiety and provide strategies to prevent and treat it if it happens again.
  • You may be diagnosed and treated for other mental health conditions like panic disorder, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or substance use disorders.
  • Some people may need a prescription anti-anxiety medication.

Getting diagnosed

There is no specific test to diagnose an anxiety attack. If you go to the ER, they may test you for other medical conditions. These may include a blood test, an EKG/ECG (electrocardiogram) to check your heart, or a spirometry test to detect a respiratory cause like asthma.

A mental health professional will use certain criteria to screen for specific panic attack symptoms. They will evaluate for a panic disorder or other mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or substance use.

What to expect from your doctor visit

The most effective anxiety attack treatment includes talk therapy and lifestyle changes. Common behavioral health treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation strategies, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These can help you in a number of ways.

  • Help you understand the causes of your anxiety and provide strategies to prevent and treat it if it happens again.
  • Help identify triggers for an anxiety attack.
  • Help treat other mental health conditions like panic disorder, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or substance use disorders.
  • Teach valuable skills and strategies for coping with anxiety and stress.
  • Help with avoidance behaviors. Having an anxiety attack can lead to avoidance of potential triggers. A therapist can help prevent you from developing an avoidance pattern.

Prescription medications that can help with anxiety

A doctor or psychiatrist can also prescribe medications for managing anxiety, including antidepressant medications, beta blockers, or benzodiazepines.

Antidepressant medications (SSRIs, SNRIs)

  • Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • Sertraline (Zoloft)
  • Paroxetine (Paxil)
  • Venlafaxine (Effexor)
  • Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
  • Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Beta blockers

  • Propranolol (Inderal)
  • Atenolol (Tenormin)

Benzodiazepines

  • Alprazolam (Xanax)
  • Lorazepam (Ativan)
  • Clonazepam (Klonopin)
  • Diazepam (Valium)

Types of providers

  • Primary care physicians or nurse practitioners can evaluate anxiety attack symptoms, prescribe medications, and refer to specialists when necessary.
  • Psychologists or clinical social workers can do talk therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy.
  • Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in psychiatric disorders. They can prescribe medication and some may also provide therapy.
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