subject: The Doctor's Advice to Cure Anxiety and Panic Attack [print this page] The Doctor's Advice to Cure Anxiety and Panic Attack
Before one can cure anxiety and panic attack, it is very important to conduct in-depth assessment. Physicians or psychiatrists often use the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety to evaluate the patient's degree of anxiety and pathologic condition. There are 14 parameters on the scale namely anxious mood, mood tension, fears, insomnia, intellectual (cognitive), depressed mood, somatic (muscular), somatic (sensory), cardiovascular symptoms, respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, genitourinary symptoms, autonomic symptoms and behavior at interview. Each item will be given scores with corresponding remarks. Zero for none, 1 for mild, 2 for moderate, 3 for severe and 4 for severe, grossly disabling. The treatment regimen will depend on the ratings obtained by the patient.
After the assessment part has been completed, the therapist will list down the goals or desired outcomes such as the patient will be free from injury, will be able to verbalize feelings and concerns, will demonstrate effective use of coping mechanisms, and will be able to assume previous roles and activities of daily living. Then, he or she will proceed with the actual counseling. Most of the time, this is given together with Anxiolytic medications such as Valium. However, drug intake should be regulated since the drugs can lead to drug dependence. As such, cure for anxiety and panic attack involves both psychological and medication therapy.
If the patient is admitted in a healthcare unit, the therapist must initiate conversations in a non-stimulating environment and manner. This would mean a plainly/blandly painted room, without any disturbing decorative items. He or she must approach the patient in a calm manner using a soothing voice in an eye-level contact. Brief directions that will assure safety must be given to the patient. For those not admitted, but with histories of attack, relatives, friends or other companions must be with them all the time. This is to provide a safe environment where injuries are kept to a minimal level. Therapeutic communication must be initiated so that the fear felt by the patient will be lessened. Communication must be simple, short and calm since anxious patients cannot understand lengthy ones. The therapist must recognize the concerns and emotions of the patient. This is important since down-grading the patient may prevent the formation of trust and rapport between the two parties. Once the patient gains cognition after the anxiety attack, he or she can begin relating how it is like to be in the panic situation. Through open communication lines, the needs of the patient can be addressed accordingly.
Aside from these interventions, it is vital to include the family in health education. It is important to stress out that combined psychotherapy and drug management cannot cure anxiety and panic attack perse, but only manage the condition. The significant other must understand that the panic or anxiety attack is a psychiatric condition, not a physiological one with an organ failure. The patient with the family must be able to point out stress provoking situations as well as ways to manage and control them effectively.
