What do you do about panic attacks?!
Question:
What do you do about panic attacks?
My new girlfriend has pretty bad panic attacks and I have no idea what to do when she starts having one. Is there anything I can do to calm her down and help her through it? I would do anything in my power to get her through it more quickly and comfortably than usual.
Answers:
Dear Ray.....panic attacks generally can not be controlled without medical intervention. Most physicians use the class of SSRI (antidepressant) medications as they are very effective for controlling these symptoms. Usually they will also prescribe something like xanax for short term relief until the therapeutic level of the SSRI med is reached. It can take three or four weeks for that to happen. The side effects are relatively benign and certainly outweigh her debilitating attacks. Untreated, panic attacks can lead to severe depression and avoidance to the point of agoraphobia. People with untreated panic attacks will also experience what is called "anticipatory anxiety". This is when they have an attack just thinking about having to put themselves in a public situation where they may have an attack. PLEASE...this is a very treatable illness. Take her to a qualified therapist and take control of this before it takes control of her.. best wishes