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Panic attacks are a grave matter as they cause considerable displeasure and nuisance to normal functioning. This nuisance might be so profound that a person looking for panic/anxiety attack treatment would normally want a fast acting solution; thus the strong appeal and attraction tends towards panic attack medication. The question though remains whether going this route would be a wise decision as these drugs have been hailed by some and criticized by others.

For starters, remember that this is not a decision you should make alone. Regardless of the pros and cons of any panic attack medication, the final say on whether you start popping pills should rest with your doctor. That said, read this article carefully to understand the said pros and cons before you consider taking any form of medication.

Panic attack medication usually takes two forms, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and benzodiazepines. SSRIs are anti-depressants which need to be taken for several weeks before they show results and their intake is not proportional to the frequency of panic episodes/attacks. Thus it can be argued that SSRIs are not a specialist panic attack buster.

Contrarily, the main medication designed to nullify panic/anxiety symptoms is benzodiazepines. These drugs, the list of which includes the like of Valium, Xanax, and Ativan, are known to induce quick relief and are thus able to counter the symptoms of a episode as and when it occurs. That said, benzodiazepines are infamous for being highly addictive and the seriousness of their withdrawal symptoms and hence need to be used with extreme caution.

Regardless of whether one opts for benzodiazepines or anti-depressants, what generally remains common is that panic attack medication is only effective while the medication is being taken. If a patient stops his/her medications, the chances of them experiencing another panic attack returns to normal or worse, increases exponentially. Hence, the argument that behavioral therapy is a better option than treatment through medication.

Behavioral therapy – be it either Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or Exposure Therapy – aims to target anxiety at its roots by first altering thinking patterns so that in turn behavior can be modified. Thus the treatment received through behavioral therapy has long-term positive implications as compared to the largely short-term results achieved through panic attack medication.

Therefore, if panic attack medication must be taken, it is highly advised that it be done so in accordance with a proper behavioral therapy plan. Nonetheless, you should note that treatment through medication can cause serious side effects. The list of these side effects is quite long and can include various issues such as:

• drowsiness,
• clumsiness,
• slurred speech,
• disorientation,
• dizziness,
• memory loss,
• impaired thinking,
• nausea, and
• blurred vision.

Additionally, research studies further show that benzodiazepines have a tendency to cause depression such that people who use it in high doses are at increased risk of suicidal thoughts and feelings. Benzodiazepines are also known to lead to emotional numbness in the sense that although anxiety is reduced, the person subconsciously blocks out both pain and pleasure.

While panic attack medication is supposed to have sedating properties, it is not uncommon to find cases where the same pills have had a paradoxical effect. The most common of these paradoxical reactions include greater anxiety, agitation, and even mania and rage. Alternatively, medication has also been known to increase aggression and cause hallucinations.

In conclusion then, it is very hard to out rightly say that panic attack medication is the way to go if one if suffering from panic/anxiety attacks. The addictive nature of certain types of drugs coupled with the long list of side-effects they may cause is definitely a cause for concern. Moreover, given that the improvement offered by panic attack medication is often temporary rather than permanent; one needs to think twice before taking anti-anxiety drugs. Instead it is better to stick to therapy, even though it may take several weeks to show results. In any case, always remember that if you must have panic attack medication it is on the directives of both your doctor and/or psychiatrist.

Darren Bardsley is a panic and anxiety attack expert. A sufferer himself for the last decade, he has mastered his own disorder and is now sharing his vast knowledge and the secrets to a panic free life. For more information on panic attack medication, visit http://www.panicattacksurvivalguide.com.

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