Anxiety or panic attack is not only a product of psychological or social distress.
Scientists have found out that there is a significant connection between panic behavior and the level of the neurotransmitter GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid).
This is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
It functions as the body's natural anti-anxiety agent by diminishing cell stability, thus reducing the rate of neuronal firing.
It can be found in one third of the nerves and the locus ceruleus where norepinephrine exerts cellular function.
Thus, GABA levels are low or there is an imbalance between GABA and norepinephrine.
In order to cure anxiety and panic attack, GABA levels have to increase or its receptors be made available for proper functioning.
The drugs responsible for the control and management of anxiety and panic attacks belong to the Benzodiazepine group.
Benzodiazepines bind to a specific site on the GABA receptors, thus making the receptors more sensitive to the neurotransmitter.
This mediation by the Benzodiazepines allows more GABA to counteract the stimulating effects of norepinephrine.
Examples of this group of dugs are Alprazolam (Xanax), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Clonazepam(Klonopin), Chlorazepate (Tranxene), Diazepam (Valium), Flunazepam (Dalmane), Lorazepam (Ativan), Oxazepam (serax), Temazepam (Restoril) and Triazolam (Halcion).
These drugs have varying half-lives which means some have faster calming effects than the others.
Despite their high soothing effect, Benzodiazapine has a tendency to cause physical dependence.
Once the drug is discontinued abruptly, patients may experience symptoms resembling the original symptoms for which the client has sought treatment.
As such, doses must be tapered.
Aside from this, benzodiazepines are associated with Central Nervous System depression like light headedness, sedation, clouded sensorium, impaired memory and poor coordination.
Safety must be ensured when taking these drugs so injuries will not happen.
Moreover, alcohol should never be taken along with it since benzodiazepines potentiate the effects of alcohol.
Another kind of drug to cure anxiety and panic attack is Buspiranone (Buspar).
This works by acting as a partial agonist in serotonin receptors, thus decreasing serotonin turn-over.
Serotonin is another stimulating neurotransmitter that can escalate anxiety or turn stressful situations into anxiety provoking ones.
However, this drug acts very slowly compared to the Benzodiazepines.
The common side effects include dizziness, vomiting, drowsiness, sedation and nausea.
To ensure safety, patients taking the drug must never engage in activities requiring attention like driving or going to work.
Aside from medication therapy, psychotherapy or counseling is also important to cure anxiety and panic attack.
Patients must be educated on the nature of their disease conditions as well as on the possible means on how they can handle it properly.
Moreover, patients must be allowed to verbalize their feras, insecurities or any other feeling that may induce anxiety or panic attacks.
Family members or close friends must also be involved so that they may not contribute to the suffering of the patient.
As significant others, they can be of help in ensuring safety once the attack has happened again.
With all these efforts, it is possible to cure anxiety and panic attack.