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Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety And Depression
Posted on
Sun, 5 Mar 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 5 Mar 2017
Answered on
Wed, 22 Mar 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Dear Dr.
Below is a question I was trying to post last night but was not able to complete.
This is from 11:00 pm last night...
At this moment I am in the middle of a full blown Panic Attack and cannot calm myself in any of the ways I have researched over the past few years. I know I need help badly but I don't know where to turn. Unfortunately, many of my Primary Care Physicians over the years have prescribed everything from Valium, Tranzene, and most recently Ativan (Lorazapam) to help me at least cope with the severe side effects of this serious problem, and they, of course, were helping me in the short term - but the attacks would never leave my side permanently. Please tell me what type of treatment is necessary to deal with these issues, if at all possible. At this moment, it is only 11:00 PM and I have been trying everything I know to calm down and get some sleep. All my life I had worked warehouse jobs on the second and mostly third shifts in order to make a living. My Mom had many phobias throughout her life and even my Father DIED from circumstances related to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. All the years that I sat up with my Mom trying to help were somewhat disappointing to everyone involved. Who would have thought at the time I would fall into this situation myself many years later. Have you any help to offer me in the way of information, reliable Mental Health Professionals that deal with these types of issues, or at least start the things I have to do in order to receive any treatments I may obtain in the near future. My sleep habits are horrendous, my appetite almost non- existent and my patience at an end if some type of starting point for these issues cannot be found soon. I am a 63 year old male who has dealt with these issues for far too long. Please Dr., is there help out there for a lost soul such as myself?? I don't know where to turn to begin the things I would need to do in the future. My wife is a wreck from all the trouble I seem to give her for years now. I am desperate for help for myself and my loved ones.
I had asked questions earlier but felt I did not provide enough detail and background for the Dr. to understand my situation.
Below is a question I was trying to post last night but was not able to complete.
This is from 11:00 pm last night...
At this moment I am in the middle of a full blown Panic Attack and cannot calm myself in any of the ways I have researched over the past few years. I know I need help badly but I don't know where to turn. Unfortunately, many of my Primary Care Physicians over the years have prescribed everything from Valium, Tranzene, and most recently Ativan (Lorazapam) to help me at least cope with the severe side effects of this serious problem, and they, of course, were helping me in the short term - but the attacks would never leave my side permanently. Please tell me what type of treatment is necessary to deal with these issues, if at all possible. At this moment, it is only 11:00 PM and I have been trying everything I know to calm down and get some sleep. All my life I had worked warehouse jobs on the second and mostly third shifts in order to make a living. My Mom had many phobias throughout her life and even my Father DIED from circumstances related to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. All the years that I sat up with my Mom trying to help were somewhat disappointing to everyone involved. Who would have thought at the time I would fall into this situation myself many years later. Have you any help to offer me in the way of information, reliable Mental Health Professionals that deal with these types of issues, or at least start the things I have to do in order to receive any treatments I may obtain in the near future. My sleep habits are horrendous, my appetite almost non- existent and my patience at an end if some type of starting point for these issues cannot be found soon. I am a 63 year old male who has dealt with these issues for far too long. Please Dr., is there help out there for a lost soul such as myself?? I don't know where to turn to begin the things I would need to do in the future. My wife is a wreck from all the trouble I seem to give her for years now. I am desperate for help for myself and my loved ones.
I had asked questions earlier but felt I did not provide enough detail and background for the Dr. to understand my situation.
Brief Answer:
Panic disorder can be treated with medicines and behaviour therapy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from Healthcaremagic.com
I can understand your concern. The recurrent panic attacks or paroxysmal severe anxiety should not be ignored. As we've discussed in another thread too drugs like Lorazepam or Tranzene or Valium etc are benzodiazepine drugs. These drugs are not the definitive treatment of anxiety. These drugs can help to calm you but will not have any effects like to prevent the recurrence of the symptoms or recurrence of the episodes. The drugs as you mentioned that can help in short term and will not have much long lasting effects.
For long lasting effects or to prevent recurrence of episodes or to reduce the anticipatory anxiety detailed evaluation or treatment is needed. SSRIs are definitive treatment of anxiety and panic disorder. You have issues of sleep too so in my opinion Paroxetine can help. Paroxetine will help to reduce the anxiety and will calm you. Regular treatment will make you to lead normal life without attacks. So please talk to your doctor for the drug Ive mentioned.
Apart from this relaxation exercises like yoga, progressive muscle relaxation exercise, breathing exercise etc can help to keep you calm. These exercises work on Behaviour Therapy principle. With regular practice one can learn to control anxiety and panic symptoms in events of trigger. You can learn the progressive muscle relaxation exercise from a psychologist or from youtube.
So based upon the history you have provided it is clear that you have panic disorder and this will improve with treatment.
Thanks AND Take care.
You are welcome to ask follow up doubts.
Panic disorder can be treated with medicines and behaviour therapy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from Healthcaremagic.com
I can understand your concern. The recurrent panic attacks or paroxysmal severe anxiety should not be ignored. As we've discussed in another thread too drugs like Lorazepam or Tranzene or Valium etc are benzodiazepine drugs. These drugs are not the definitive treatment of anxiety. These drugs can help to calm you but will not have any effects like to prevent the recurrence of the symptoms or recurrence of the episodes. The drugs as you mentioned that can help in short term and will not have much long lasting effects.
For long lasting effects or to prevent recurrence of episodes or to reduce the anticipatory anxiety detailed evaluation or treatment is needed. SSRIs are definitive treatment of anxiety and panic disorder. You have issues of sleep too so in my opinion Paroxetine can help. Paroxetine will help to reduce the anxiety and will calm you. Regular treatment will make you to lead normal life without attacks. So please talk to your doctor for the drug Ive mentioned.
Apart from this relaxation exercises like yoga, progressive muscle relaxation exercise, breathing exercise etc can help to keep you calm. These exercises work on Behaviour Therapy principle. With regular practice one can learn to control anxiety and panic symptoms in events of trigger. You can learn the progressive muscle relaxation exercise from a psychologist or from youtube.
So based upon the history you have provided it is clear that you have panic disorder and this will improve with treatment.
Thanks AND Take care.
You are welcome to ask follow up doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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