subject: Overcoming Panic Disorder [print this page] The first thing I want to say is, never stop taking your medication without consulting your physician.Let's discuss the benefits of meditation and medication on overcoming panic disorder.
Let's start with medication. Medication can be used to momentarily control or lessen some of the symptoms of panic attacks. It is important to understand that medications do not cure or resolve panic disorders. Drugs can be helpful in severe cases; however, they should not be the only treatment. Medication is most effective if combined with other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation that work with the underlying causes of the attacks.
The most popular medications for panic disorder are the following:
Antidepressants: These medications usually take a couple of weeks before you notice them helping with the attacks. You also have to take them not just during an attack but continuously each and every day.
Anti-anxiety Drugs: Examples of which are benzodiazepines that acts rapidly (within 30 minutes to an hour). It provides a quick relief of symptoms if taken during an attack. On the other hand, benzodiazepines are extremely habit forming and could cause serious withdrawal symptoms; therefore, this kind of medication should be used sparingly and with caution.
Medications to treat panic disorder may be prescribed by your primary care physician or psychiatrist. The length of the drug therapy may vary from one individual to another. It may be necessary for a person to continue the medication throughout their lives.
Next, let's talk about Meditation. There are a lot of meditation techniques to date, which can be a great panic attacks treatment.
Medical school research funded by the National Institutes of Health shows that meditation is the most effective way to relieve anxiety and reduces stress, as well as stress-related disorders, including panic disorder.
Meditation simply and naturally allows the mind to settle down to experience a state of inner coherence and calm during which time the left and right hemispheres and the front and back of the brain, begin to work in harmony with each other. This brain wave coherence has been correlated with improvements in memory, problem-solving and decision-making abilities as well as help in overcoming panic disorder. This change in brain functioning also affects the rest of the physiology, reducing high blood pressure, strengthening the heart, and overall improving health.
The journey to prevent or eliminate attacks can be a long one. You should remember that panic disorder is more common than you know. Meditation indeed plays a very important role in overcoming panic disorder, but complementing meditation with proper medication and counseling will set you on track and make your life worth living.
