Panic disorder refers to a condition where an individual is susceptible to panic attacks. Panic attacks often involve a sudden wave of fear, shock, or lack of control that engulfs an individual, even in the absence of imminent danger or harm. In addition to its emotional effects, panic attacks often cause intense physical reactions. Consequently, people diagnosed with panic disorders often tend to be anxious or worried about the likelihood of experiencing another attack such that they alter their lifestyle or daily routine. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, panic disorders typically begin in late teens or early adulthood, and women are more likely to develop panic disorders than men.
People with panic disorder are usually prone to anxiety and fear that often engulfs and overwhelms them. They also may experience the feeling of impending death. People with panic disorder often associate physical locations with the root of their attacks, so they tend to avoid places where they have suffered previous attacks. The physical symptoms of panic attacks include but are not limited to a pounding or racing heart, chills, profuse sweating, difficulty breathing, tingling or numb hands, weakness or dizziness, stomach pain and nausea, and pounding and racing heart. There are several risk factors for panic disorder. According to research, panic disorder could be hereditary. Also, research has noted that specific parts of the brain and specific biological processes play an instrumental role in determining whether a person has or will have the condition. Studies have shown that panic attacks happen when parts of the brain raise alarms that trigger the body’s survival mode and self-preservation reflexes. When panic attacks are left untreated, they tend to occur more often and degenerate into panic disorder. Similarly, when panic attacks are left untreated, they may lead to phobias or acute depression. To diagnose panic disorder, the healthcare provider might conduct a full body examination. They may also conduct a blood test to check the patient’s thyroid or other likely conditions that might be troubling the heart, as well as tests such as an EKG or ECG. The healthcare provider may also conduct a psychological evaluation where they address the patient’s symptoms, concerns, and realities. For instance, the care provider could inquire about the patient’s childhood and their family life. The care provider can then refer the patient to a mental health professional such as a clinical social worker, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist. These professionals would likely adopt psychotherapy, medications, or both to address the disorder. Panic disorder is usually treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy. CBT helps patients to think more clearly and respond to stimuli more appropriately. The practitioners of CBT are of the opinion that once a patient learns how to respond differently to the dread and anxiety preceding or during a panic attack, the attacks will become less common. One popular CBT technique is exposure treatment, which gradually exposes patients to panic attack triggers and helps them to break down the misconceptions related to panic disorder. Also, healthcare providers frequently recommend medication. These drugs include antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and beta-blockers. Similarly, anti-anxiety drugs like SSRIs, benzodiazepines, and SNRIs can help alleviate the symptoms of panic disorder.
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Alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD) refers to an individual's dependence on the substance diagnosed by a medical professional. Untreated alcoholism can spiral out of control, causing life-threatening mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. However, it's possible to treat it with medications.
The FDA has approved three medications for the treatment of alcoholism: disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone. The medications have varying mechanisms. But they all help people with alcoholism reduce their drinking and prevent relapse by blocking the cravings and reward receptors associated with alcohol intake. Disulfiram counters alcohol metabolism. It’s also an effective psychological deterrent. It causes nausea, palpitations, and flushing of the skin - harsh reactions that can make drinking unpleasant. Drinking causes the body to produce endorphins, a “feel-good hormone” that causes one to feel calm and happy. Naltrexone blocks the receptors responsible for the reward feelings associated with drink. It makes alcohol consumption less rewarding, helping reduce heavy drinking. Naltrexone also helps with alcohol detox, ridding the body of alcohol content. Alcohol detox is the first step in treating alcoholism and reducing the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Professionals administer Acamprosate after a patient has completed detox. It works best when the patient is no longer dependent on alcohol. Acamprosate helps prevent relapse by reducing the urge to drink. Alcoholism medications are effective on their own. Studies show that combining medications with non-medical interventions improves treatment outcomes. Non-medical interventions for alcoholism include counseling and talk therapy. Some practitioners consider medications as a last resort when symptoms do not improve following non-medical interventions. Medications used for treating other conditions have also proved effective for treating alcoholism, such as Varenicline, an anti-smoking drug that reduces alcohol cravings. Another is Gabapentin, used for chronic pain treatment, which helps reduce heavy drinking and improve abstinence. Medications for alcoholism are not a cure, nor are they alcohol-substitution drugs. In most cases, the medications do not have habit-forming side effects, meaning it’s unlikely to lead to abuse. However, patients respond differently to the medications. Factors that may affect alcoholism drug efficacy include the extent of dependency, motivation to quit or reduce drinking, genetic predisposition to AUD, and environment. To improve treatment outcomes, individuals should avoid triggers that may cause relapse, like social pressure and stress, boredom, and alcohol advertisements. Alcohol treatment takes place in outpatient or in-patient settings, depending on severity. Outpatient treatment involves regular visits for medical support and counseling. A thorough assessment of an individual’s level of alcohol dependency and complications allows medical professionals to decide how to proceed. There are several advantages of undergoing treatment at an in-patient rehab facility. The facilities provide 24/7 monitoring of patients, helping better manage adverse side effects. It also improves abstinence due to the absence of most triggers associated with relapse. Watching a loved one struggle with alcoholism can be overwhelming. Loved ones may wonder how they can help and whether the person wants it. There are many ways of helping a loved one with alcoholism, including keeping them company to avoid boredom and loneliness, both known triggers for alcoholism. One can also help them seek treatment. When choosing an alcoholism treatment facility, consider the kinds of treatments available. A facility that provides various treatment options is preferable to one that relies on one approach. Also, consider whether the facility will tailor treatment programs to the individual and their expectations of them. A one-size-fits-all approach to the treatment of alcoholism no longer exists. Medicine alone may work for one person. For another, it may take a combination of medical and non-medical interventions to overcome alcoholism. Thanks to advances in alcoholism treatment, healthcare providers can tailor treatment approaches to individual needs. Also known as functional psychiatry, holistic psychiatry addresses wide-ranging behavioral and thought-process disorders. The practice focuses on the whole person and includes different models, such as biopsychosocial.
The biopsychosocial model treated patients with chronic pain. Traditionally, pain medicine focused on identifying neurological transmission and sensory issues on the biological level alone. Without considering social and psychological aspects, biomedical practitioners focused on how the skin and peripheral organs conveyed pain to the brain. Medical professionals have found that several factors influence any person’s pain perception. For example, negative emotions such as chronic stress, depression, and anxiety can raise the pain level and vice versa. Acknowledging the effects of negative emotions becomes the first step in changing thought patterns and behaviors and may lessen perceived pain. Those with chronic pain may additionally have heightened pain responses, with the nervous system developing an abnormal response to ordinary sensations. For example, patients with fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis may find that walking becomes painful and simply wearing clothing hurts. Drug use, including prescribed medications, may also impact the way that the body reacts to and processes stimuli such as pain. When initially prescribed, opioids often help address or mask the issue. However, in the long term, they can heighten pain sensitivity and make the problem worse. One natural pathway for addressing chronic pain is cognitive behavioral therapy, which is based on the concept that thoughts, feelings, and actions depend on each other. CBT involves collaborating with a therapist in talk sessions that work to identify and alleviate the negative emotions and unhealthy actions that often intensify perceptions of pain. Holistic approaches can also tackle related mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. For example, those who regularly experience elevated stress face heightened breathing and heart rate associated with the “fight or flight” syndrome, restricted blood flow, and increased inflammatory response. Symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and difficulty sleeping may arise and compound the problem, resulting in general malaise. One holistic way of countering these issues is through relaxation techniques. In opposition to the stress response, the relaxation response slows heart rate and decreases blood pressure, signaling the body to produce lower stress hormone levels. Among the often self-administered modalities that may be effective in this are guided imagery, deep breathing, meditation, and yoga. Other holistic routes to mental health include proper nutrition, exercise, and exerting sustained lifestyle changes. Circadian rhythm and regulating hormones through regular sleep are foundational to mental health and stability. Associated with the body's internal clock, the circadian rhythm aligns with the sun, meaning that the body becomes tired when the sun goes down, producing the hormone melatonin. Then, the body gains renewed alertness with sunrise. Disruptions in this natural rhythm often throw off the natural sleep cycle and one’s mood regulation capacities. Circadian rhythm disruptions become acute among those with mood issues such as bipolar disorder and depression; they may find their condition aggravated significantly by even minor changes to their daily rhythm. Disrupted circadian responses include increased secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, which compounds the issue. Addressing sleep disturbances is thus vital to maintaining proper mental functioning. Approaching circadian rhythm concerns holistically starts with increasing sun exposure, suppressing daytime melatonin production, and encouraging alertness. Another aspect is finding a consistent routine, including an established bedtime, and sticking with it over the long term. Working with a therapist through modalities such as CBT can also help identify ways of finding a productive and satisfying routine that respects one’s sleep needs.
I published Generalized Anxiety Disorder — Symptoms and Treatments on Medium.
I published The Pros and Cons of Anxiety Medications on Medium.
I published Panic Disorder Symptoms And Treatment on Medium.
I published Medications to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder on Medium.
I published Treatment of Agoraphobia with Medications on Medium.
I published Mindfulness as a Treatment for Depression and Anxiety on Medium.
I published The Types of Alcohol Abuse Treatments on Medium.
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AuthorSince 2006, Dr. Sridhar Yaratha has worked for Central State Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia, as a forensic psychiatrist and attending physician for the men’s long-term forensic unit. Archives
January 2020
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