Most doctors treating panic attacks will say medication is not the end-all solution to anxiety.
However, if they are used correctly, they can be very effective in starting the patient on to the road to improvement.
There are many options available to a doctor and patient who are considering which panic attack medication to use.
One of the classes of medication used to treat anxiety are benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines induce sedation, relax muscles and promote sleep making them useful to those who suffer from worry and stress.
They are generally broken down into three categories-short, intermediate or long-acting.
Long-acting versions are more likely to be used to treat anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are most effective if used on a short term basis.
If they are used over a longer term, they are commonly believed to cause dependence and may be difficult to stop using because of withdrawal symptoms.
Xanax (pronounced Zan-ex) is a benzodiazepine that is used to provide short-term help for mild to average levels of stress and worry.
It is also known as Alprazolam and it impacts chemicals in the brain that have grown unbalanced.
It can cause various side-effects including causing one to feel drowsy, dizzy, sleepy or clumsy.
I have found Xanax to be very helpful in treating my anxiety and stress.
Over the years, I have become very familiar with my body and the feelings that warn me of impending problems because of the body tension caused by my worry and concern.
If those feelings are allowed to go unchecked, my upper shoulders and neck will become very tight and will cause me to have headaches, extreme muscle tension and even feeling dizzy or unbalanced when walking.
Once my symptoms get to this level I will be in pain for extended periods from a several hours to days.
I found myself getting to this level quite often and having it interfere greatly with my personal and business life.
I finally decided to discuss the situation with my doctor and he recommended using Xanax on a trial basis.
He was very careful to warn me about the side effects of the drug and the potential for becoming addicted to it.
We both decided it was worth the risk.
So, I started using Xanax when I felt my symptoms coming on.
While Xanax does not completely eliminate my problems it does curtail my symptoms and stop them from reaching levels that cause me extended periods of pain and discomfort.
I'm careful only to use Xanax when I recognize the warning signs of an impending bout and know I really need it to reduce my tension and the time I will be in pain.
If you are suffering from panic attacks and excessive tension, there may be medications that will provide some assistance.
I encourage you to take that gigantic step and discuss your situation with your doctor.
I'm glad I did.